EOA Batch Transactions (e.g., via protocols like EIP-4337 Bundlers or Gelato Network) excel at gas efficiency and composability by operating at the protocol's native execution layer. For example, a single MetaMask user can batch a token approval and swap in one on-chain transaction, saving up to 30-40% on gas fees compared to sequential transactions. This approach leverages the Ethereum Virtual Machine's (EVM) inherent atomicity, making it ideal for high-frequency DeFi interactions on chains like Arbitrum or Base where low latency and cost are paramount.
LABS
Comparisons
EOA Batch Transaction Capability vs SCW Batch Transaction Capability
A technical analysis comparing the sequential, single-action model of Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs) with the atomic, multi-action batching of Smart Contract Wallets (SCWs). Evaluates gas efficiency, security models, and use-case fit for protocol architects and engineering leaders.
Chainscore © 2026
introduction
THE ANALYSIS
Introduction: The Core Architectural Divide in User Transactions
The fundamental choice between Externally Owned Account (EOA) batch transactions and Smart Contract Wallet (SCW) batch transactions defines your protocol's user experience, security model, and scalability path.
Smart Contract Wallet Batch Transactions (e.g., Safe{Wallet}, Argent, Biconomy) take a different approach by moving logic and state into a user-owned smart contract. This results in superior programmability and security—enabling features like social recovery, spending limits, and atomic multi-chain operations—but introduces a trade-off: higher base gas costs for wallet deployment and each transaction batch. The user's intent is processed through their own contract, which then interacts with external protocols, adding a layer of abstraction and control.
The key trade-off: If your priority is maximum gas efficiency, minimal latency, and deep DeFi composability for experienced users, choose EOA batching. If you prioritize user security, programmable transaction flows, and abstracting blockchain complexity for mainstream adoption, choose SCW batching. The decision hinges on whether you optimize for the machine (cost/speed) or the human (safety/experience).
tldr-summary
EOA vs SCW Batch Transactions
TL;DR: Key Differentiators at a Glance
A direct comparison of the core architectural trade-offs between Externally Owned Account (EOA) and Smart Contract Wallet (SCW) batch transaction capabilities.
01
EOA: Superior Gas Efficiency
Native protocol support: Uses the multicall pattern (e.g., Uniswap's Multicall2), which bundles calls into a single transaction. This results in ~15-30% lower gas overhead compared to SCW batch execution. This matters for high-frequency, cost-sensitive operations like arbitrage or protocol interactions where every wei counts.
02
EOA: Maximum Composability
Universal compatibility: Every dApp and protocol (Uniswap, Aave, Compound) is built for EOA signatures. Batch transactions via multicall work seamlessly across the entire DeFi stack without requiring custom integrations. This matters for developers building on established infrastructure who need guaranteed, frictionless interoperability.
03
SCW: Unmatched Flexibility & Security
Programmable logic: Batches can include complex pre/post conditions, social recovery, spending limits, and fee sponsorship via ERC-4337 Paymasters. This matters for enterprise-grade applications, institutional custody, and user onboarding where security policies and gas abstraction are non-negotiable.
04
SCW: Superior User Experience (UX)
Atomic multi-op sessions: Users can approve a single, readable bundle (e.g., swap ETH for USDC, deposit to Aave, stake aToken) with one signature. Eliminates the "approve-then-execute" dance. This matters for consumer-facing dApps and any product aiming for mainstream adoption by abstracting blockchain complexity.
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
Feature Matrix: EOA vs. Smart Contract Wallet Batching
Direct comparison of transaction batching capabilities for user onboarding and operations.
| Metric / Feature | Externally Owned Account (EOA) | Smart Contract Wallet (SCW) |
|---|---|---|
Native Batch Transactions | ||
Gas Cost for 5 Actions | $50-150 | $15-45 |
User Abstraction (No Seed Phrase) | ||
Requires Initial ETH for Gas | ||
Session Keys / Spending Limits | ||
Multi-Chain Operation (Single Address) | ||
Social Recovery | ||
ERC-4337 Standard Support |
pros-cons-a
Batch Transaction Capability
EOA (Externally Owned Account) Transaction Model: Pros and Cons
Key strengths and trade-offs at a glance for EOA vs. Smart Contract Wallet (SCW) batch transaction models.
01
EOA: Universal Simplicity
Native protocol support: Every EVM chain (Ethereum, Arbitrum, Polygon) and tool (MetaMask, Ethers.js) inherently supports EOA-signed transactions. This matters for broad compatibility and rapid prototyping without custom infrastructure.
02
EOA: Lower Base Cost
Minimal gas overhead: A single EOA transaction has no smart contract deployment or execution overhead. This matters for simple, one-off transfers where the absolute minimum gas cost is the primary constraint.
03
SCW: Atomic Multi-Operations
True atomic batching: Execute multiple actions (swap, stake, bridge) in a single on-chain transaction via multicall. This matters for complex DeFi strategies (e.g., looping on Aave) and user experience, eliminating approval race conditions.
04
SCW: Sponsored & Gasless UX
Abstracted fee mechanics: Enable gasless onboarding via paymasters (ERC-4337) or allow dApps to sponsor transactions. This matters for mass adoption and applications requiring seamless first-time user interactions.
05
EOA: Manual & Error-Prone Batching
No native batching: Requires off-chain coordination (like multisend contracts) or complex client-side logic, increasing developer complexity and user error risk for multi-step operations.
06
SCW: Upfront Cost & Latency
Smart contract deployment: Each new SCW (like an ERC-4337 Smart Account) requires a one-time deployment transaction (~0.02-0.05 ETH). This matters for user onboarding cost and adds initial latency before first use.
pros-cons-b
EOA vs SCW Transaction Batching
SCW (Smart Contract Wallet) Batching Model: Pros and Cons
Key architectural strengths and trade-offs for executing multiple operations in a single transaction.
01
EOA Batch: Native Simplicity
Direct protocol support: Uses native multicall contracts (e.g., MakerDAO's, Uniswap's) or bundled transactions via Flashbots. This matters for protocol developers who need lightweight, non-custodial aggregation without introducing new account abstractions.
- Lower overhead: No need for a global entry point contract or paymaster dependencies.
- Wide tooling: Supported by major SDKs like ethers.js and libraries such as
@uniswap/v3-periphery.
02
EOA Batch: Cost & Speed Edge
Lower base gas cost: A single EOA-signed transaction invoking a multicall contract often has a lower fixed cost than a UserOperation. This matters for high-frequency traders and arbitrage bots where every wei counts on L1.
- Predictable finality: Transactions settle directly on-chain, avoiding the mempool latency and bundler scheduling of the SCW model.
- Example: Uniswap's
multicallcan swap tokens and mint an NFT position in one block.
03
EOA Batch: Limited Composability
Restricted to public functions: Can only batch calls to contracts that expose the necessary functions. This fails for complex user journeys requiring multiple signatures, fee payments in ERC-20 tokens, or conditional logic across calls.
- No session keys: Each batch requires a fresh signature from the EOA's private key.
- Security model: Loses all funds if the single private key is compromised, with no native social recovery or transaction limits.
04
EOA Batch: Poor User Experience
Manual gas management: Users must hold the chain's native token (e.g., ETH) to pay for gas for every batch. This is a barrier for new users and cross-chain applications.
- No atomicity guarantees: If one call in a
multicallfails, the entire transaction reverts, but gas for execution up to that point is still spent. - Example: A user cannot approve a USDC spend and execute a swap in one transaction without first holding ETH for gas.
05
SCW Batch: Atomic UserOperations
Full atomic execution: Bundles multiple actions (e.g., NFT mint, token swap, social post) into a single UserOperation. This matters for dApp builders creating seamless onboarding or complex DeFi strategies.
- Sponsored gas: Paymasters allow gas fees to be paid in ERC-20 tokens or by the dApp, enabling gasless transactions.
- Standards: Enabled by ERC-4337 entry points and SDKs like ZeroDev, Biconomy, and Stackup.
06
SCW Batch: Enhanced Security & UX
Programmable security policies: Batch executions can be governed by multi-sig, timelocks, or spending limits. This is critical for institutional wallets and DAO treasuries.
- Social recovery & session keys: Lose a device? Recover via guardians. Grant limited permissions to a gaming session.
- Example: Safe{Wallet} allows a batch of governance votes and treasury payments to be proposed and executed as one operation.
07
SCW Batch: Higher Base Cost
Additional gas overhead: Each UserOperation requires validation and execution logic, costing ~42k extra gas vs a simple EOA call. This matters for mass-scale applications where marginal cost optimization is paramount.
- Bundler dependency: Relies on a network of bundlers (e.g., Pimlico, Alchemy) to include operations, adding a layer of latency and potential centralization.
- Example: A simple token transfer is significantly cheaper from an EOA.
08
SCW Batch: Ecosystem Fragmentation
Interoperability challenges: Not all dApps and protocols natively support SCW signatures (e.g., EIP-1271). This can break legacy integrations and require custom adapter code.
- Bundler market maturity: While growing, the bundler infrastructure is less battle-tested than Ethereum's core transaction pool.
- Example: Some DeFi aggregators may not yet parse complex UserOperation calldata for optimal routing.
CHOOSE YOUR PRIORITY
When to Use Which: Decision Guide by User Persona
EOA Batch Transactions for DeFi
Verdict: Ideal for simple, high-frequency, user-initiated actions where gas optimization is paramount. Strengths:
- Gas Efficiency: Native
multicallpatterns (e.g., Uniswap's Router) bundle multiple calls into a single transaction, saving 20-40% on gas for complex swaps or approvals. - Simplicity & Speed: No account abstraction overhead. Direct integration with existing SDKs (ethers.js, viem) and wallets (MetaMask).
- Proven Patterns: Battle-tested by protocols like 1inch, Balancer, and Yearn for aggregator and zap transactions. Weaknesses:
- No Atomic Guarantees: Failed transactions in the batch do not revert the entire bundle, requiring complex error handling.
- User Experience (UX): Users sign every batch, which can be cumbersome for multi-step DeFi strategies.
SCW Batch Transactions for DeFi
Verdict: Superior for complex, automated strategies requiring atomic execution and superior UX, despite higher base cost. Strengths:
- Atomic Execution: Full revert on any failure, crucial for secure arbitrage, leveraged position management, and cross-protocol operations.
- Sponsored & Gasless UX: Can leverage paymasters (e.g., Biconomy, Stackup) for meta-transactions, enabling "gasless" onboarding for users.
- Programmable Security: Batch logic can be governed by smart contract rules (e.g., timelocks, multi-sig) via Safe{Wallet} or ZeroDev kernels. Weaknesses:
- Higher Base Cost: Each SCW deployment and transaction incurs additional gas versus a simple EOA call.
- Integration Complexity: Requires managing account factories, entry points (ERC-4337), and bundler infrastructure.
verdict
THE ANALYSIS
Verdict and Strategic Recommendation
Choosing between EOA and SCW batch transactions is a foundational decision that impacts user experience, security, and long-term scalability.
Externally Owned Account (EOA) batch transactions excel at raw, low-level efficiency and direct control because they rely on the native multicall pattern or protocol-specific aggregators like 1inch's Fusion mode. This results in unparalleled gas cost optimization for power users, with some aggregators achieving savings of 15-30% by batching swaps and approvals in a single on-chain transaction. The model is battle-tested, with protocols like Uniswap and Aave processing billions in volume through this method, offering predictable, protocol-native finality.
Smart Contract Wallet (SCW) batch transactions take a fundamentally different approach by moving batching logic into a user-owned smart account, enabled by standards like ERC-4337 (Account Abstraction). This results in a superior user experience—enabling sponsored transactions, atomic multi-step operations, and seamless security upgrades—but introduces a marginal gas overhead per operation (typically 10-20% more than a simple EOA call) due to the added smart contract execution layer. The trade-off is cost for flexibility and future-proofing.
The key architectural trade-off is between optimization and extensibility. EOAs provide the most gas-efficient path for standardized DeFi interactions where the user is comfortable managing keys and paying gas. SCWs unlock next-generation UX and programmable security, essential for mainstream adoption. For example, a high-frequency trading dApp serving experts would prioritize EOA batching, while a consumer-facing NFT platform requiring social recovery and gasless onboarding must choose SCWs.
Strategic Recommendation: Choose EOA batch transactions if your primary users are cost-sensitive DeFi natives, your operations are simple swaps/transfers, and you require maximum composability with existing infrastructure like MetaMask. Choose Smart Contract Wallet batch transactions if your priority is abstracting complexity for mainstream users, you need features like session keys, atomic composability across protocols, or the ability to sponsor gas fees as a service.
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