Web3Auth is a non-custodial authentication layer for Web3 that bridges the gap between traditional user experience and blockchain security. It allows users to sign into decentralized applications (dApps) using familiar methods like Google, Apple, Discord, or email passkeys, while maintaining control of their cryptographic keys. Under the hood, it employs Threshold Cryptography (specifically Threshold Signature Schemes or TSS) to split a user's private key into multiple shares, eliminating a single point of failure. This architecture is fundamentally different from custodial exchanges or traditional seed phrase management.
LABS
Glossary
Web3Auth
Web3Auth is a non-custodial authentication infrastructure service that enables passwordless logins and key management for Web3 applications using familiar social accounts.
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definition
AUTHENTICATION INFRASTRUCTURE
What is Web3Auth?
Web3Auth is a non-custodial authentication infrastructure that enables users to access decentralized applications (dApps) and wallets using familiar social logins or passkeys, without managing private keys directly.
The core mechanism involves a distributed key generation process where key shares are distributed between the user's device (e.g., a mobile app or browser), Web3Auth's network of nodes, and optionally a user-provided backup (like a cloud drive or their own server). To sign a transaction, a threshold of these shares (e.g., 2 out of 3) must collaborate, a process that occurs transparently to the user who simply approves the login or transaction. This provides a social login UX with the security benefits of a non-custodial, multi-party computation (MPC) wallet, as no single entity ever holds the complete private key.
A primary use case for Web3Auth is onboarding mainstream users into Web3 by removing the friction of seed phrases, browser extensions, and complex wallet setups. Developers integrate its SDKs to add social login functionality to their dApps, games, or DeFi platforms. It supports multiple blockchains (Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, etc.) and is compatible with standard wallet interfaces like EIP-4337 (Account Abstraction) and WalletConnect. This makes it a foundational tool for projects aiming for mass adoption without compromising on self-custody principles.
From a security perspective, Web3Auth's model mitigates risks associated with seed phrase loss, phishing, and centralized custodians. However, it introduces reliance on its decentralized node network and the user's chosen social login providers for account recovery. It is often categorized under MPC wallet solutions and wallet-as-a-service (WaaS) offerings, providing a critical piece of infrastructure for the evolving smart account and account abstraction landscape, where user experience and security are paramount.
how-it-works
AUTHENTICATION MECHANISM
How Web3Auth Works
Web3Auth is a non-custodial authentication infrastructure that bridges Web2 convenience with Web3 security, allowing users to access decentralized applications using familiar social logins or passwords while retaining full control of their cryptographic keys.
At its core, Web3Auth is a threshold signature scheme (TSS)-based key management service. It operates by splitting a user's private key into multiple key shares using cryptographic secret sharing. Typically, one share is stored on the user's device (e.g., in local storage or a passkey), another is held by the Web3Auth network, and a third can be a user-provided backup like a password or cloud storage. This ensures no single party—not even Web3Auth—holds the complete key, making the solution non-custodial. The key is only reconstructed client-side during the authentication event.
The user experience mirrors familiar Web2 logins. A user can sign into a dApp using an OAuth provider (Google, Discord, etc.), a passkey, or even email/password. Upon successful authentication, the Web3Auth network verifies the user's identity and authorizes its node to send its key share back to the user's application. The client-side software development kit (SDK) then combines this network share with the local device share to reconstruct the full private key, which is used to sign blockchain transactions. The key is never transmitted in full and is cleared from memory after use.
This architecture provides significant security and recovery benefits. Since the key is distributed, a compromise of the Web3Auth network or the user's cloud backup does not expose the wallet. Social login accounts act as authentication factors, not recovery seeds. Users can also implement multi-factor authentication by requiring multiple key shares (e.g., device + social login + password) to reconstruct the key, adding an extra layer of security. Recovery is possible through the configured backup methods without relying on a vulnerable seed phrase.
For developers, integrating Web3Auth involves installing the SDK and configuring authentication providers. The service abstracts away the complexity of key management, social login OAuth flows, and direct blockchain RPC interactions. It supports multiple blockchains (Ethereum, Solana, etc.) and wallet interfaces (Ethers.js, Web3.js), allowing dApps to onboard users without them needing to install a browser extension like MetaMask or understand seed phrases, dramatically reducing friction.
In essence, Web3Auth decouples authentication (proving identity via social login) from authorization (signing transactions with a private key). It provides a key infrastructure rather than a hosted wallet, enabling a seamless, custodial-grade user experience while maintaining the self-sovereign, non-custodial security model fundamental to Web3. This makes it a pivotal tool for mainstream adoption of decentralized applications.
key-features
WEB3AUTH
Key Features
Web3Auth is a non-custodial authentication infrastructure that enables users to access dApps using familiar social logins, biometrics, or passwords, without managing private keys directly.
02
Social & Passwordless Login
Users can authenticate using familiar methods like Google, Apple, Discord, or email/password. This abstracts away blockchain complexity, lowering the barrier to entry for mainstream users. The system generates a blockchain-compatible key pair from the authentication event, linking a Web2 identity to a Web3 wallet.
04
Recovery & Account Abstraction
Enables social recovery where trusted contacts can help restore access. It also facilitates account abstraction patterns, allowing for features like transaction sponsorship (gasless transactions), batch operations, and session keys for improved user experience without compromising security.
05
Decentralized Network (Torus Network)
Runs on the Torus Network, a decentralized network of nodes operated by independent entities. These nodes collaboratively manage the distributed key shares, ensuring the system's resilience, censorship-resistance, and trustlessness. The network's health is critical for the protocol's security guarantees.
06
Enterprise-Grade Security
Implements industry-standard security practices including end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge proofs for share verification, and regular third-party audits. It is designed to be compliant with standards like SOC2 and GDPR, making it suitable for institutional and high-compliance use cases.
ecosystem-usage
WEB3AUTH
Ecosystem Usage
Web3Auth is a non-custodial authentication infrastructure that enables users to access decentralized applications (dApps) and wallets using familiar Web2 social logins or passkeys, without managing private keys directly.
06
Use Cases & Adoption
Web3Auth is deployed across major blockchain ecosystems to onboard mainstream users. Primary use cases include:
- Gaming & Metaverse: Simplifying wallet creation for in-game assets.
- DeFi & NFTs: Lowering barrier to entry for trading and minting.
- Enterprise dApps: Enabling employee or customer access with corporate credentials.
- Wallets: Powering social login features in custodial and non-custodial wallet applications.
15M+
User Accounts Created
500+
Integrated dApps
KEY MANAGEMENT COMPARISON
Web3Auth vs. Traditional Wallets
A technical comparison of key management architectures between MPC-based social logins and traditional self-custody wallets.
| Feature | Web3Auth (MPC-Based) | Traditional Wallet (E.g., MetaMask) |
|---|---|---|
Key Custody Model | Distributed via MPC (Multi-Party Computation) | User-held private key |
Recovery Mechanism | Social login (Google, Discord), device share, backup factor | Secret Recovery Phrase (12/24 words) |
User Onboarding | Passwordless, familiar Web2 login flow | Manual seed phrase generation and backup |
Key Loss Risk | Mitigated via multi-factor recovery | Permanent loss if seed phrase is lost |
Transaction Signing | Server-assisted MPC computation | Local signing on user device |
Infrastructure Dependency | Requires Web3Auth network nodes | None (fully client-side) |
Typical Use Case | Consumer apps, mass adoption | DeFi power users, high-value assets |
security-considerations
WEB3AUTH
Security Considerations
Web3Auth is a non-custodial wallet infrastructure that uses multi-party computation (MPC) and social logins for key management. Its security model presents unique trade-offs compared to traditional seed phrases and hardware wallets.
02
Social Login Attack Surface
Using OAuth providers (Google, Discord, etc.) as an authentication factor expands the attack surface. Security depends on:
- The user's email account security (2FA, password strength).
- The OAuth provider's own security and resistance to phishing.
- Potential for SIM-swapping attacks if phone-based recovery is used. A compromised social account could allow an attacker to initiate a recovery process, though it would still require additional factors due to MPC.
03
Trust Assumptions & Decentralization
While non-custodial, Web3Auth's model requires trust in its network of nodes and the honesty of the threshold (e.g., 2-of-3). Users must trust that:
- The node operators do not collude.
- The client-side code is authentic and not tampered with (dependency on secure delivery).
- The cryptographic implementation of the TSS protocol is sound. This is a different trust model than a purely client-side, self-managed key.
04
Recovery vs. Compromise
The recovery mechanism is a critical security component. Web3Auth allows recovery via social logins and optional factors (device, password). This is convenient but creates a security vs. usability trade-off:
- Benefit: No irreversible loss of funds from a lost device.
- Risk: Recovery factors become alternative attack vectors. An attacker who compromises enough factors (e.g., email + device backup) can reconstruct the key share and gain control.
05
Client-Side Security & Phishing
The user's key share is generated and stored on their device. This makes device security paramount:
- Malware or compromised devices can steal the local share.
- Phishing sites can mimic the Web3Auth interface to capture login credentials and trick users into signing malicious transactions.
- Browser extensions with excessive permissions pose a risk. Best practice requires treating the device share with similar caution as a hot wallet.
WEB3AUTH
Common Misconceptions
Web3Auth is a non-custodial authentication infrastructure for Web3, but its architecture and security model are often misunderstood. This section clarifies its core mechanisms and addresses frequent points of confusion.
No, Web3Auth is not a wallet; it is a non-custodial authentication infrastructure that provides a key management layer for existing wallets. It acts as a signer or signing provider, generating and securing private keys for users through distributed key generation, but it does not hold, manage, or transfer user assets. The actual wallet interface and transaction construction are handled by the application integrating Web3Auth, such as a dApp frontend using popular SDKs like Web3.js or Ethers.js.
WEB3AUTH
Frequently Asked Questions
Essential questions and answers about Web3Auth, a non-custodial authentication infrastructure for Web3 applications.
Web3Auth is a non-custodial authentication infrastructure that allows users to access Web3 applications using familiar social logins (like Google, Discord, or email) or traditional Web2 methods, without needing to manage a seed phrase. It works by using a threshold signature scheme (TSS) to split a user's private key into multiple shares. One share is stored by the user (e.g., on their device), another is encrypted with their social login credentials, and a third is held by the Web3Auth network. To sign a transaction, a threshold (e.g., 2 out of 3) of these shares must collaborate, enabling secure, passwordless login and key recovery while ensuring the user retains ultimate control.
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