ERC-8391: Execution Delegation Framework

ERCs
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Discussion topic for ERC-8391

Summary

ERC-8391 defines a standard contract interface for delegating on-chain execution authority to a rotatable operational key. An integrator authorizes the delegation contract once, while its owner, ideally a cold wallet or multisig, can assign, rotate, or immediately revoke the active hot key without further integrator involvement. It supports both direct execution through execute() and relayed signature verification through [ERC-1271]( ERC-1271: Standard Signature Validation Method for Contracts ).

Motivation

Operational hot keys are frequently exposed to compromise, yet rotating them often requires slow or costly coordination with the protocol that granted their authority. ERC-8391 separates persistent on-chain authority from the temporary key exercising it, enabling routine key rotation, rapid incident response, consistent monitoring, and future signature-scheme upgrades without changing the integrating protocol.

Update Log

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From a wallet-user perspective, visibility seems especially important here. If an account has delegated authority, a wallet should clearly show that the delegation is active, what it allows, and when the active key was last changed.

There should also be an obvious way to revoke it, followed by clear confirmation that the revocation has taken effect. Otherwise, users may rotate a key and mistakenly assume that the delegated authority itself has been removed.

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I guess both cases are covered with events and `getDelegate()` method.

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That makes sense. My main point was less about whether the information is available and more about making it clear to users inside a wallet. If those events and getDelegate() provide everything a wallet needs to show the active delegation, recent changes, and revocation status, then that addresses the underlying requirement.

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ERC describes a minimal viable interface. Exact implementations can extend it. For example, Lido’s version is more broad to fit specific Lido needs. See here - LIP-37: Execution Delegation Framework (EDF) - The LIP - Lido Improvement Proposal - Process - Lido Governance and in the repo - GitHub - lidofinance/execution-delegation-framework: Fast and safe hot-key rotation for Lido Oracles and other permissioned operators. · GitHub

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