ERC-7785 is a proposed Ethereum standard for onchain registration of chain identifiers that aims to decentralize the current centralized mapping system between blockchain names and their identifiers. Currently maintained through a centralized GitHub repository, this system presents challenges for the rapidly expanding multi-chain ecosystem where hundreds of Layer 2 solutions and rollups require unique identification.
How ERC-7785 Works: ENS-Based Chain Registration
The proposed standard introduces a novel approach to chain identifier management by leveraging the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) infrastructure. Instead of relying on centralized lists, ERC-7785 proposes deriving chain identifiers by hashing chain names along with other relevant information, then using ENS to map these human-readable names to their corresponding numeric identifiers.
This approach addresses a critical challenge in the current multi-chain landscape, where interoperability solutions need reliable, decentralized methods to identify and validate different blockchain networks. The standard ensures a one-to-one correspondence between names and identifiers, preventing potential attacks where malicious actors could register deceptive names pointing to existing chain identifiers.
Benefits for Cross-Chain Infrastructure
For protocols operating across multiple chains, ERC-7785 offers significant advantages in terms of trust and verification. The onchain registry approach provides immediate transparency about chain properties, including technical specifications and indexing requirements that are essential for block explorers and cross-chain applications.
The decentralized nature of the registry aligns with the broader goal of creating trustless, permissionless infrastructure for blockchain interoperability.
Implementation Status and Future Impact
Although ERC-7785 remains in the early proposal stage, its potential impact on the blockchain ecosystem is substantial. The standard builds foundation infrastructure that could support chain-specific address formats and enhanced cross-chain user experiences, particularly as the number of Layer 2 solutions continues to grow exponentially.
For cross-chain apps, this standardization could enable more seamless chain identification and validation, ultimately supporting the vision of unified, cross-chain financial infrastructure that abstracts away technical complexity for end users.