Core Challenges Facing Web3: User Experience and Chain Abstraction

Although blockchain technology is constantly developing, Web3 still faces a key issue: it is difficult for ordinary users to get started. The current Web3 environment requires users to handle various wallets, signatures, cross-chain bridges, complex address formats, and different interaction logics.

To truly popularize blockchain, the underlying complexity must be hidden, allowing users to operate as naturally as they do with Web2 applications, without considering the underlying chains, cross-chain transactions, or security guarantees. Chain Abstraction ( Chain Abstraction ) has emerged to break the fragmented state of multiple chains and simplify user interactions with the chains.

More and more projects are beginning to practice chain abstraction. Through the XCM protocol and shared security model, a well-known project has provided infrastructure support for chain abstraction at the protocol layer. This article will delve into the concept, technical pathways, and practical significance of chain abstraction, analyze the exploration directions of different projects, and focus on the key role of this project in this process.

What is chain abstraction in Web3?

The core concept of chain abstraction

The core of blockchain abstraction is: allowing users and developers to freely use cross-chain applications and assets without needing to understand or manipulate the underlying blockchain structure.

As an industry expert said: "When I order takeout, I don't care which cloud service the restaurant uses. I just want to eat a hamburger."

Web3 should be like this too. Users should be able to freely swap, stake, lend, or purchase NFTs without needing to understand which chain they are on or what protocols are being used behind the transactions.

Current native crypto users are familiar with the potential of blockchain, but if the barriers to entry remain high, Web3 will struggle to truly mainstream. Chain abstraction is the key to solving this problem.

The difference between chain abstraction and account abstraction ###

Chain abstraction focuses on the "hidden processing" of cross-chain interactions, allowing users to operate multiple blockchains in a unified interface without having to worry about the underlying chain structure.

Account abstraction focuses on the flexibility of "transaction authorization methods", such as allowing smart contracts or agents to automatically execute user transactions.

The two can be used in conjunction. For example, Ethereum's upcoming EIP-7702 is an account abstraction scheme that enables "intention"-based user interactions—users only need to state "what they want to do," and the system can automatically handle the operational process, which will further promote the development of chain abstraction.

The Value and Application of Chain Abstraction

Enhance Web3 User Experience

Currently, Web3 users often need to operate multiple wallets, cross-chain bridges, and deal with complex signing processes, making it daunting to simply transfer assets from one chain to another.

Chain abstraction integrates complex cross-chain operations through the backend, providing users with a unified and smooth interaction interface, greatly simplifying the experience.

An industry expert mentioned that the cross-chain application of stablecoins is a typical case where chain abstraction has been implemented: "Stablecoins themselves are like reserve assets, and people naturally hope that they can be conveniently used in any scenario. The combination of bridges and stablecoins precisely meets this need."

Another expert stated that the cross-chain transfer protocol launched by a certain company excels in enhancing the cross-chain user experience, even more so than many other technological paths.

Solving the fragmentation and interoperability issues of blockchain

As more and more public chains, Rollups, and Appchains emerge, inter-chain liquidity is fragmented, and user experience is becoming increasingly dispersed.

Without chain abstraction, users have to manually bridge, manage multiple wallets, and face inconsistent interfaces and experiences. The emergence of chain abstraction can connect these "information islands," allowing assets and operations to flow smoothly across different chains.

Although stablecoins and perpetual markets have increasingly become "chain-abstracted", scenes like meme casinos still face significant resistance, indicating that while the development of chain abstraction is accelerating, it still faces challenges.

Change Liquidity and Resource Management

Chain abstraction can bridge the gap between chains, allowing assets to flow freely, thereby reducing the problem of liquidity fragmentation.

In recent years, there has been significant progress in "liquidity abstraction," allowing users to operate balances and deploy funds directly without having to worry about the chain where the assets are located.

This also helps developers avoid the fragmentation of users and liquidity caused by multi-chain deployment.

Key Technologies and Security Risks

What key technologies are needed to achieve blockchain abstraction?

The current supporting chain abstract technologies mainly include:

• Cross-Chain Communication Protocol
• Various Cross-Chain Bridges
• Orchestration tool responsible for cross-chain operation coordination
• Account abstraction solution supporting flexible authorization models

Among them, the design of a well-known project supports chain abstraction from the underlying protocol level by "aggregating security and message communication". This hub-and-spoke model is distinct from the peer-to-peer interconnection model.

"In this project, you only need to connect to the central network to instantly achieve interoperability with other chains, and you can also automatically gain shared security," an expert explained.

Will blockchain abstraction bring security risks?

Security is always one of the core issues. Building highly reliable smart contracts is crucial, and users should avoid relying on opaque off-chain agents to perform operations.

A safer way is to use shared security mechanisms of certain projects to build trustworthy smart contracts and orchestration systems, providing users with a truly controllable and reliable cross-chain interaction experience.

Who is leading the technical implementation of chain abstraction?

Currently, the projects leading the way in the field of chain abstraction include:

• A project that achieves cross-chain interoperability through XCM and supports Rollup interoperability.
• A project based on IBC to build an inter-chain communication ecosystem
• Projects focusing on smart contract layer orchestration capabilities
• Promoting projects for trusted cross-chain message communication
• A project focused on cross-chain asset management and liquidity solutions

Some projects excel in the "user-centric" direction of chain abstraction, despite their differences in technical architecture and philosophy.

"With the explosive growth of Appchains, people have finally realized the necessity of cross-chain abstraction, as the number of chains has become too many to ignore," said an expert.

What challenges does chain abstraction currently face?

Despite the strong development momentum, there are still many technical challenges that need to be overcome in chain abstraction.

• The execution environment varies significantly between different chains.
• Finality time of transactions ### especially Ethereum ### long
• High Gas fees
• Some ecological interoperability is still relatively weak
• The technical threshold for building cross-chain intent and orchestration systems is relatively high.

Currently, the infrastructure is continuously improving, but more exploration and optimization are needed for more complex cross-chain interactions.

Summary: The essence of chain abstraction is user experience

The ultimate goal of chain abstraction is to provide users with a seamless experience comparable to Web2.

No one wants to constantly worry about chains, bridges, and wallets; they just want to easily stake, trade, lend, buy NFTs, or manage investment portfolios—simple, secure, and hassle-free.

The "shared security + central communication + pragmatism" model proposed by a well-known project is considered the path closest to this goal. Although challenges remain, the multichain future is accelerating from vision to reality.