ERC-7828 introduces a unified chain-specific address format, allowing users to specify both the account address and the target blockchain in a single, human-readable format.
The Problem ERC-7828 Solves
In today's fragmented multichain ecosystem, users and applications need ways to refer to an address on a specific chain unambiguously. Currently, the same Ethereum address can exist across multiple blockchain networks, creating confusion and increasing the risk of users sending assets to the correct address on the wrong network—potentially resulting in permanent loss.
Traditional blockchain addresses don't indicate which network they belong to, forcing users to manually specify the target chain separately. This creates friction in cross-chain transactions and increases the likelihood of costly mistakes.
How ERC-7828 Works
ERC-7828 expands that standard by adding a human-readable layer, using formats like address@chain, ensuring everything stays clear and simple for users. The proposal builds on ERC-7930 defines the underlying binary format, to create an email-like addressing system for blockchain interactions.
The format follows a simple structure:
address@chain - Similar to email addressing
Human-readable chain identifiers instead of numeric chain IDs
Integration with ENS (Ethereum Name Service) for enhanced usability
Key Features
Unified Address Format: ERC-7828 chain-specific addresses format eliminates ambiguity by combining the recipient address with clear chain identification in a single string.
ENS Integration: The standard leverages ENS infrastructure to provide a human-readable layer, using formats like address@chain, making blockchain interactions more intuitive for everyday users.
Cross-Chain Compatibility: The setup prevents users from sending or receiving assets on the wrong blockchain, which helps prevent crypto losses.
Benefits for onchain App Development
For developers building cross-chain applications, ERC-7828 addresses several critical pain points:
Improved User Experience: Users can specify destination chains directly in the address field, similar to sending emails, reducing the need to separately configure network settings.
Reduced Transaction Errors: By making chain specification explicit and human-readable, ERC-7828 significantly reduces the risk of sending assets to unintended networks.
Simplified Wallet Operations: With the new setup, wallet operation can be blockchain-agnostic, and the address input into the user interface will also determine which blockchain the transaction is directed toward.
Technical Implementation
ERC-7828 works alongside ERC-7930 to provide comprehensive cross-chain addressing:
ERC-7930: Defines the compact, binary format for machine processing
ERC-7828: Adds the human-readable text layer for user interfaces
ENS Integration: Utilizes existing ENS infrastructure for name resolution
The standards are expected to be finalized by May 9, paving the way for wallets, block explorers and cross-chain communication protocols to implement the features.
Industry Adoption and Future Impact
Major players in the Ethereum ecosystem are actively working toward standardization. Wonderland, a group of developers, researchers, and data scientists focused on improving the Ethereum decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, has been instrumental in this effort.
The initiative addresses the growing need for interoperability standards as the blockchain space becomes increasingly multichain. Cross-chain transactions between Ethereum and Polygon, the matching rate for withdrawal transactions is still relatively low, highlighting the importance of clearer addressing standards.
ERC-7828 vs Previous Standards
Unlike ERC-3770, which uses colon-separated chain prefixes (e.g., "eth:0x..."), ERC-7828 employs the more familiar email-style addressing format. This approach leverages users' existing mental models from internet communications, potentially accelerating adoption.
The email-like format also integrates naturally with ENS domains, enabling addresses like vitalik.eth@optimism instead of complex hexadecimal strings.