Definition
Account abstraction is a blockchain design concept in which the logic that governs how an account authorizes and validates transactions is moved from a fixed, protocol-level rule set into customizable, programmable verification logic. It generalizes externally owned accounts and smart contract accounts into a unified model, allowing account behavior, authentication schemes, and fee payment rules to be defined by code rather than being hard-wired into the base protocol.
In Simple Terms
Account abstraction is the idea that blockchain accounts are controlled by flexible code instead of a single built‑in signature rule. Instead of every account working the same way, each account can define its own rules in code for proving control and approving transactions, while still being treated as a normal account by the network.
Context and Usage
The term is primarily used in discussions of Ethereum and similar smart contract platforms when describing proposed or implemented changes to the account model. It appears in protocol research, wallet architecture design, and standards work that aims to unify externally owned accounts and smart contract accounts. It is also referenced in conversations about intents, programmable wallets, alternative authentication methods, and more expressive transaction validation policies.