0.0.2

Blockchain and eSIM are disruptive technologies in the mobile industry facing resistance from established players. Despite this, they are slowly being adopted due to innovation and companies that see the value in change. Both technologies have a secure future and it's only a matter of time before eSIMs become the norm, with blockchain helping to drive their adoption.

In this second article at EthIndia Fellowship 3.0 Week2, I am revising the core concepts of my project after gaining an understanding of Account Abstraction.

Here’s the link of the first article of this series in which I’m aiming to build Blockchain Powered eSIM.

I am attempting to improve the design of the eSIM based on my current knowledge and understanding.

*     However, I am aware that receiving feedback and comments from others can greatly enhance the quality of my design.*

Account Abstraction

"Account abstraction is a revolutionary concept in blockchain technology that allows for the creation of virtual accounts that can securely and seamlessly access multiple existing crypto wallets. This opens up new possibilities for decentralized applications and enables a wide range of users to participate in the web3 ecosystem.”

The adoption of cryptocurrencies has been hindered by the lack of user-friendly interfaces and security issues. The current approach of having one-account-fits-all is limiting the growth and adoption of cryptocurrencies. However, the introduction of account abstraction is a game-changer that offers a more tailored approach to account management.

Account abstraction offers a solution to the limitations of the current approach of having one-account-fits-all. With account abstraction, accounts can be customized to the user's needs(and that’s what i’m aiming to achieve), allowing for multiple signers, social recovery, enhanced security, and more. This offers a much slicker user experience while making self-custody a viable option for a mainstream audience.

The current Ethereum accounts are made up of three components:

A state containing a balance and nonce,

Hardcoded logic in the EVM to validate and execute a transaction from the account,

And an address.

The coupling of accounts and signers has its problems, and losing a private key means losing the account, which could lead to the loss of millions of dollars. Account abstraction moves crypto from the current approach of one-account-fits-all to a future where an account can be tailored to someone's needs.

Implementing account abstraction on Ethereum Layer 1 is difficult, and it has not been widely adopted. However, Argent has pioneered smart contract wallets that provide many of the benefits of account abstraction without requiring protocol changes. With these wallets, every user can deploy and use an account with custom authorization logic tailored to their needs, allowing for multiple signers, social recovery, and enhanced security. This offers a much slicker user experience while making self-custody a viable option for a mainstream audience.

Account abstraction also introduces features such as multicall, session keys, social recovery, and enhanced security. Multicall allows bundling of multiple transactions into one, making it a faster and more secure process. Session keys protect assets while maximizing ease of use. Social recovery replaces the need for seed phrases, allowing the owner of the account to authorize a new key as the legitimate wallet owner. The multi-factor authentication and enhanced security feature of account abstraction allows users to have customized security levels that meet their needs while using a variety of devices to approve transactions.

The innovation of account abstraction is crucial in unlocking the potential for mass adoption of cryptocurrency. It solves the limitations of the current approach of one-account-fits-all while offering a much slicker user experience and making self-custody a viable option for a mainstream audience. With account abstraction, the future of cryptocurrency looks brighter than ever before.

NOTICE: I’m trying to use account abstraction as a concept in this project. So please let me know if i’m doing it correctly.

Why I’m going into account abstraction?

Because, I aim to establish one layer in the project where users' principles are purely cryptographic, and all subsequent methods are aligned with this principle.

Using Account Abstraction in Blockchain powered eSIM

Including Account abstraction as a core concept in creating the eSIM design because it allows for the creation of a new type of account that will be coupled with user's unique eSIM ID and after coupling,

*     The primary virtual account can be linked to multiple existing crypto wallets.*

The virtual account created using account abstraction is a core component of the eSIM design because it enables the eSIM to securely and seamlessly access the user's existing crypto wallets without exposing their private keys. By linking the primary virtual account to the user's eSIM ID, the eSIM is able to uniquely identify the user and associate their existing crypto wallets with the eSIM.

The firmware design of the eSIM will be based on the following principles:

1. Security: The eSIM firmware will be designed to ensure the highest level of security for the user's data. This includes using advanced encryption methods and zero-knowledge proofs to protect the user's data from theft and unauthorized access.

2. Scalability: The eSIM firmware will be designed to scale with the increasing demand for blockchain-based solutions. This includes using lightweight and efficient coding techniques that can run on a wide range of devices.

3. Compatibility: The eSIM firmware will be designed to be compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms. This includes using open-source coding techniques that can be easily integrated with other blockchain-based solutions.

4. User-Friendly: The eSIM firmware will be designed to be user-friendly and easy to use. This includes providing a simple onboarding process for non-crypto users and a seamless process for existing crypto users to access their wallets.

So the use of account abstraction is a core concept in creating this eSIM design because it enables the creation of a virtual account that is linked to the user's unique eSIM ID and their existing crypto wallets. The firmware design of the eSIM will focus on security, scalability, compatibility, and user-friendliness, ensuring the highest level of protection for the user's data and a seamless user experience.

Architecture of eSIM

• Layer 1 Architecture:

  1. The eSIM unique ID will be mapped to a new account on the blockchain network.

  2. The new account will be created using account abstraction, which will link to the existing crypto wallets of the user.

  3. The account abstraction will allow the user to access their existing crypto wallets without exposing their private keys to the eSIM.

  4. The eSIM will use zero-knowledge proofs to ensure the privacy and security of the user's data.

  5. The blockchain network will store and manage the eSIM data and will ensure the security and decentralization of the solution.

• Creating Crypto Wallets for Crypto Users:

  1. The account abstraction will allow the eSIM to access the user's existing crypto wallets without exposing their private keys.

  2. The eSIM will provide a single-step process for the user to access their existing crypto wallets using their fingerprint.

  3. The eSIM will enable the user to make transactions and access applications without the need to enter their private keys every time.

• Creating Crypto Wallets for Non-Crypto Users:

  1. Non-crypto users can onboard to the web3 ecosystem by creating a new account on the blockchain network using account abstraction.

  2. The eSIM will link this new account to the user's eSIM unique ID, creating a new cryptographic wallet for the user.

  3. The user's new cryptographic wallet will be protected by the eSIM and zero-knowledge proofs to ensure the privacy and security of their data.

  4. The eSIM will provide a simple onboarding process for the non-crypto users to create their cryptographic wallets and join the web3 ecosystem.

In summary, the eSIM solution using account abstraction provides a seamless and secure way for crypto users to access their existing crypto wallets and for non-crypto users to onboard to the web3 ecosystem. The account abstraction ensures the privacy and security of the user's data, while the eSIM provides a convenient and user-friendly way to access applications and make transactions on the blockchain network.

Modified draft of the project,

Abstract

This project aims to create a secure and seamless eSIM solution powered by blockchain technology. Using account abstraction, a virtual account will be created and to link the user's unique eSIM ID to multiple existing crypto wallets. Enabling secure access to the user's crypto wallets without exposing their private keys. The eSIM will provide cryptographic identity services and be backed by zero-knowledge proofs, ensuring privacy and security of the user's data.

Overview

The goal of this project is to build a blockchain-powered eSIM solution that seamlessly integrates with the user's existing crypto wallets. Account abstraction will be used to create a virtual account linked to the user's eSIM ID, which will allow secure access to their crypto wallets without exposing private keys. The eSIM solution will provide cryptographic identity services and be backed by zero-knowledge proofs to ensure privacy and security. The blockchain technology will be used to store and manage the eSIM data, providing a secure and decentralized solution that is resistant to data breaches and other security threats.

Metrics

The success of this project will be measured by a number of key metrics, including:

• User adoption: the number of users who have adopted the blockchain-powered eSIM solution

• User satisfaction: the level of satisfaction reported by users of the eSIM solution

• Security: the number of successful and attempted security breaches, and the success rate of security measures in preventing these breaches

• Interoperability: the number of different applications and services that the eSIM solution is compatible with

Acceptance Criteria

The following are the acceptance criteria for this project:

• The blockchain-powered eSIM solution must be secure and resistant to data breaches and other security threats

• The eSIM must provide a seamless user experience, allowing users to access applications and services with just a single step process using their fingerprints

• The eSIM must provide cryptographic identity services and be backed by zero-knowledge proofs

• The eSIM must be compatible with a range of different applications and services

• The blockchain-powered eSIM solution must be adopted by a significant number of users

Assumptions

The following are the assumptions made for this project:

• There is a sufficient demand for a blockchain-powered eSIM solution that integrates with the user's crypto wallets

• The technology to support the integration of the eSIM with crypto wallets and fingerprint authentication is available and feasible

• The blockchain technology used for the eSIM solution will be secure, scalable, and flexible

Personas

The following personas are involved in this project:

• End-Users: users of the eSIM solution who want a secure and seamless way to access applications and services

• Mobile Operators: companies responsible for managing the eSIM profiles and provisioning the eSIMs to subscribers

• Device Manufacturers: companies responsible for integrating the eSIM into their devices

• Regulatory Bodies: government agencies and industry organizations responsible for ensuring the eSIM solution complies with relevant regulations and standards

• Blockchain Developers: developers responsible for building and maintaining the blockchain infrastructure that powers the eSIM solution

Flow with respect to personas

1. End-Users:

   • End-users receive their eSIM-enabled device

   • End-users activate their eSIM by scanning their fingerprints and linking it to their crypto wallet

   • End-users access applications and services by simply scanning their fingerprints

   • End-users can manage their eSIM profile through their crypto wallet

2. Mobile Operators:

   • Mobile operators receive the eSIM profiles from the device manufacturers

   • Mobile operators provision the eSIM profiles to the end-users' devices

   • Mobile operators can manage the eSIM profiles and update them as needed

   • Mobile operators can monitor the usage of the eSIMs by end-users and ensure compliance with regulations

3. Device Manufacturers:

   • Device manufacturers integrate the eSIM into their devices

   • Device manufacturers provide the eSIM profiles to the mobile operators

   • Device manufacturers can monitor the usage of the eSIMs by end-users and ensure compatibility with the device

4. Regulatory Bodies:

   • Regulatory bodies monitor the usage of the eSIMs by end-users and ensure compliance with regulations and standards

   • Regulatory bodies can enforce penalties and sanctions for non-compliance

5. Blockchain Developers:

   • Blockchain developers build and maintain the blockchain infrastructure that powers the eSIM solution

   • Blockchain developers can update the blockchain infrastructure to fix bugs and improve performance

   • Blockchain developers can monitor the usage of the blockchain infrastructure and ensure it is secure and scalable.

This flow is a general representation of the different personas involved in the project, and the specific flow for each persona may vary depending on the requirements and implementation of the solution.

***Hey,
thankyou so much for going through this, if you have anything in your mind then please dm, twitter .
***In the next article, I’ll be summarizing the eSIM whitepaper by GSMA .