Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Glossary

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Meta-Transaction (Wallet Context)

1 min read
Pronunciation
[met-uh tranz-ak-shun]
Analogy
A meta‑transaction is like giving someone a signed check and letting them cash it at the bank for you.
Definition
A pattern where a user’s signed message (intent) is submitted by a relayer, enabling the user to interact without holding native gas tokens.
Key Points Intro
Meta‑transactions enable gas abstraction via:
Key Points

User signature: Signs data off‑chain.

Relayer: Submits transaction on-chain, pays gas.

Smart contract: Verifies signature and executes logic.

Token payment: Relayer reimbursed in ERC‑20 or service credit.

Example
OpenGSN allows users to call DApp functions; relayers forward the call and claim reimbursement from a sponsor contract.
Technical Deep Dive
Contract includes `executeMetaTx(address user, bytes data, bytes sig)` that recovers `user` via `ecrecover`, checks nonce, then calls `this` with `data`. Relayer wraps this in a normal tx.
Security Warning
Replay attacks possible if nonces not managed; implement per-user nonces.
Caveat
Requires relayer network and trust in relayer to submit timely.
Related Terms
Account Abstraction
Paymaster

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