Gnosis Safe

Gnosis Safe is a smart contract wallet and multi-signature framework that provides a secure, programmable, and non-custodial method for managing digital assets and executing transactions on the Ethereum blockchain and other EVM-compatible networks. Unlike traditional externally owned accounts (EOAs) controlled by a single private key, a Gnosis Safe is a smart contract account that requires a predefined number of signatures from a set of owners to authorize a transaction, making it the standard for multi-sig wallets and decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) treasuries.

The core innovation of Gnosis Safe is its modular security model. Users can configure a signature threshold (e.g., 2-of-3 or 4-of-7) and a set of owner addresses, which can be individual EOAs, hardware wallets, or other smart contracts. This setup mitigates single points of failure, such as a lost private key, and enables sophisticated governance for collective asset management. All transaction logic, including fund transfers, token approvals, and contract interactions, is executed by the Safe's immutable smart contract, which has been extensively audited and is now governed by the SafeDAO ecosystem.

Beyond basic multi-signature functionality, Gnosis Safe acts as a programmable account abstraction layer. It supports features like batch transactions (bundling multiple actions into one operation), scheduled payments, and integration with decentralized apps (dApps) via its transaction relayer service, Safe{Wallet}. This programmability allows teams to build custom modules and guards, enabling automated treasury management, role-based access controls, and recovery mechanisms, effectively serving as the foundational infrastructure for on-chain organizations.

The Safe protocol is chain-agnostic, with deployments across numerous networks including Ethereum Mainnet, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base. Its smart contracts are non-upgradable for maximum security, but new functionality is added via a modular system of officially vetted and community-developed Safe Modules. This architecture has made it the de facto standard for DAO treasuries, corporate crypto custody, and any use case requiring robust, transparent, and collaborative asset management on-chain.

The Gnosis Safe is a smart contract-based wallet that requires a predefined number of approvals from a set of owners to execute a transaction, a security model known as multi-signature (multisig). Unlike a traditional externally owned account (EOA) controlled by a single private key, the Safe is a smart contract deployed on-chain that acts as a programmable vault. This fundamental architecture separates ownership from transaction execution, enabling complex governance rules and eliminating single points of failure for asset control.

Operation is governed by a flexible signature policy. Owners configure the wallet by setting a list of authorized signers and a threshold—the minimum number of signatures required to validate a transaction, such as 2-of-3 or 4-of-7. When a transaction is proposed, it enters a pending state until the requisite number of owners provide their cryptographic signatures. This process is managed entirely on-chain via the Safe's smart contract logic, which validates the signatures and threshold before any funds can be moved or contracts interacted with.

Beyond basic transfers, the Safe enables programmable transaction batching and delegate execution. Multiple actions—like token swaps, contract deployments, and governance votes—can be bundled into a single, atomic transaction that either succeeds or fails entirely. Furthermore, the Safe can interact with any other smart contract, allowing for automated treasury management, recurring payments, and integration with DeFi protocols. This transforms the wallet from a passive vault into an active, programmable agent for decentralized organizations (DAOs) and teams.

Security is enhanced through features like transaction guards and modules. Guards are pre-execution checks that can enforce custom rules (e.g., spending limits, allowed recipient addresses). Modules are plug-in smart contracts that extend functionality, enabling features like social recovery, time-locks, or role-based access. Crucially, the Safe's core contract is non-upgradable and audited, providing a stable and secure foundation, while modularity allows for customizable security and automation layers on top.

The user experience is abstracted through a web interface and SDK. Users manage their Safe through a client application that generates transaction data, collects signatures (which can be done offline), and submits the finalized bundle to the network. The underlying Safe{Core} protocol and SDK allow developers to integrate Safe functionality directly into their applications, enabling embedded wallet experiences for DAO tools, investment platforms, and institutional custody solutions.

The Gnosis Safe smart contract wallet, launched in 2017, established the standard for multi-signature (multisig) and programmable asset custody on Ethereum. In October 2022, the project underwent a major rebranding, splitting into two distinct entities: Safe{Wallet}, the flagship user interface and dashboard for managing Safe accounts, and the Safe Protocol, the underlying, permissionless smart account infrastructure. This evolution separated the application layer from the core protocol, enabling broader developer adoption and community governance through the SAFE token.

The Safe Protocol is a decentralized, modular stack of smart contracts that form the backbone of the smart account standard. It provides the core security logic—such as multi-signature execution, transaction batching, and recovery mechanisms—independent of any specific front-end. This architecture allows any developer or project to build custom interfaces, plugins (called Safe Modules), and entire applications on top of a secure, audited base layer, fostering an ecosystem of account abstraction solutions.

Safe{Wallet} (formerly the Gnosis Safe web and mobile apps) remains the primary, non-custodial interface for interacting with Safe accounts. It offers a user-friendly dashboard for proposing, signing, and executing transactions, managing owner sets, and installing modules. While Safe{Wallet} is the reference client, the open protocol ensures users are not locked into a single interface, promoting choice and interoperability within the smart account landscape.

This strategic split was governed by the SafeDAO, a decentralized autonomous organization of SAFE token holders. The DAO oversees the treasury, funds ecosystem grants, and ratifies upgrades to the core Safe Protocol contracts through a transparent governance process. This community-led model ensures the infrastructure evolves to meet user and developer needs without centralized control, solidifying its position as a public good for decentralized asset management.