Ethereum and Coinbase-backed Base have abandoned efforts to establish a common standard for next-generation crypto wallets, with both networks now developing separate transaction frameworks.

Ethereum is moving forward with EIP-8141, called Frame Transactions, while Base is backing EIP-8130. The competing proposals could require wallets and applications that support both networks to handle different transaction systems.

The joint initiative had been aimed at creating a more flexible wallet experience across the two ecosystems. Developers wanted blockchain wallets to offer features familiar from modern applications, including passkey authentication, alternative recovery methods, application-paid fees and the ability to combine several actions into one transaction.

The proposed changes would also make it possible for users to transact without necessarily holding ETH specifically to pay network fees.

Developers Could Not Reconcile Network Priorities

The talks eventually stalled because Ethereum and Base had different goals for how their transaction systems should evolve.

Derek Chiang, an Ethlabs developer who participated in the discussions, said the groups recognized the advantages of interoperability but ultimately focused on optimizing their respective networks. Ethereum was seeking what it considered the strongest design for Ethereum, while Base wanted an approach suited to Base.

The cooperation broke down last week.

EIP-8141 and EIP-8130 both introduce changes to the transaction process, including how transactions are approved, who covers fees and what actions can occur after authorization.

Ethereum’s proposal is designed around priorities such as privacy, censorship resistance and security as wallets gain more programmable capabilities. It also provides a potential route for moving away from Ethereum’s existing wallet cryptography if quantum computing eventually creates security concerns.

Base is pursuing greater flexibility for transactions, particularly for applications operating at high volumes or with different technical requirements. Its approach can also support applications that need to account for compliance considerations.

Chiang said creating one standard would have required either side to give up features it viewed as important, making a compromise increasingly difficult.

Two Proposals Move Ahead

Ethereum intends to advance Frame Transactions toward Hegotá, the upgrade planned to follow Glamsterdam. The Ethereum Foundation recently included EIP-8141 among the execution-layer features it wants to deliver as part of Hegotá.

Its inclusion is not yet guaranteed, however. EIP-8141 remains under development and has not been deployed on Ethereum.

Base is continuing work on EIP-8130 independently. The proposal is available for testing on the Vibenet development network and is planned for the Cobalt upgrade, with testnet and mainnet deployments listed for September.

The decision ends expectations that Ethereum-based networks would share a common set of wallet transaction rules while diverging in other areas. Developers building products for both Ethereum and Base may instead have to support two separate approaches as the networks continue to evolve.