Ethereum launches Clear Signing to make approvals human-readable

The Ethereum Foundation released Clear Signing (ERC-7730), an open standard that produces human-readable descriptions of wallet transactions. The framework pairs an off-chain descriptor registry with ERC-8176 audit attestations so wallets can display plain-language descriptions before users approve transactions.

Clear Signing targets blind signing, a condition where wallet holders approve transactions without clear information about what the signature will authorize. The foundation noted blind signing has contributed to large user losses when holders approve low-level machine-code prompts they cannot interpret.

Under ERC-7730, transaction data is converted into descriptors stored in a decentralized off-chain registry. Wallets fetch those descriptors and show them to users. ERC-8176 provides a way for independent auditors to verify that a descriptor matches the underlying transaction data and to issue cryptographic attestations of that match. Because descriptors live off-chain, existing smart contracts do not require changes for apps to support the standard.

Wallet vendors can choose which descriptor sources to display based on reputation and audit attestations. The foundation framed the design so each wallet provider can rely on sources and auditors they trust.

Ledger originated ERC-7730. The working group includes MetaMask, Trezor, Fireblocks, WalletConnect, Cyfrin, Sourcify and Zama, along with independent contributors. The Ethereum Foundation’s One Trillion Dollar Security Initiative will host and steward the underlying infrastructure. Rust and TypeScript libraries funded by that initiative are available on clearsigning.org to help developers implement the standard.

The foundation described a common exploit pattern in which attackers first compromise an application or infrastructure and then rely on a user to approve the final transaction that drains funds. The announcement cited recent incidents, including a Bybit-related drain, as examples where signed transactions allowed attackers to empty wallets.

Developers and contributors are working to expand wallet compatibility, build audit tooling and increase descriptor adoption among decentralized applications. The release states that wider uptake requires coordinated implementation by wallets and dApp issuers so descriptors are available and audited where users need them.

Institutional activity on Ethereum is part of the broader context for the release. Banks and custodians are increasing their Ethereum exposure, exemplified by JPMorgan’s JLTXX tokenized treasury product. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has previously flagged transaction transparency as a gap for broader adoption, particularly for institutional flows that need clearer descriptions and stronger auditability.

Blind signing refers to situations in which a wallet holder approves a transaction without clear information about the transaction’s intent or effects. The foundation said Clear Signing aims to reduce that risk by making transaction intent readable to non-technical users while keeping descriptive text off-chain to preserve privacy and avoid on-chain storage.