Ethereum's Hegotá Upgrade to Bring Frame Transactions for Scalability

Ethereum is gearing up for a major upgrade called Hegotá, which will introduce frame transactions as a way to improve scalability and security. According to a proposal co-authored by Vitalik Buterin, frame transactions will split Ethereum transactions into up to 64 programmable frames, handling validation, gas payment, and execution.

The proposal, known as EIP-8141, aims to replace the fixed shape of an Ethereum transaction with a sequence of contract calls. This design breakthrough was announced by Derek Chiang on September 6, and Matt Garnett released a companion essay outlining the benefits of frames.

Garnett argued that frames should be the last transaction type needed for accounts, citing key rotation and post-quantum readiness as advantages. He estimated that the overhead for frame transactions would be around 12,000 gas per transaction plus 475 gas for every frame, compared to 21,000 gas for a plain transfer today.