New Features

This explains the content that has been added new to this Awakening blockchain release. Following are the components in this release:

1. Account Abstraction : The ERC-4337 Account Abstraction (AA) implementation on the BlockDAG Testnet introduces a new transaction model that moves away from externally owned accounts (EOAs) toward smart contract-based accounts with customizable validation logic. Instead of sending traditional transactions, users create UserOperations (UserOps), which are richer transaction objects containing fields like sender, nonce, callData, initCode, gas limits, fee settings, and optional Paymaster data. These UserOps are submitted to a specialized bundler service rather than the normal Ethereum mempool. The bundler validates them using the EntryPoint v0.6 contract, maintains a reputation-based mempool, and batches multiple UserOps into a single transaction that the EntryPoint executes.

   The system comprises three main components: EntryPoint, a core smart contract that handles validation, execution, replay protection, deposits, and emits standardized logs; the Bundler Service, which accepts UserOps via RPC, simulates validation, manages the alternative mempool, and bundles operations efficiently; and the Verifying Paymaster, which enables gasless transactions by sponsoring gas fees for users after verifying signatures and validity windows. Together, these components unlock features such as custom signature schemes (MPC, biometrics, social recovery), sponsored transactions, account upgradeability, batching, and enhanced UX for decentralized applications.

   By deploying EntryPoint v0.6, extending the reference bundler, and integrating the Verifying Paymaster, the BlockDAG testnet now supports a secure, extensible, and user-friendly account abstraction framework. This lays the foundation for programmable accounts, gas sponsorship, and advanced transaction flows, making decentralized applications more accessible and flexible without requiring consensus-layer changes.

2. Upgradability with Governance: The GovernanceV1 contract is a decentralized governance framework that enables token holders to create and vote on proposals using staked BDAG or ERC20 tokens, with an added council oversight mechanism to ensure balanced execution. Governance operates in four phases: proposal creation, community voting, council review, and final execution. Proposals can only be created by users with the Proposer Role who meet the staking threshold, and voting power is determined by the amount of tokens staked. Once a proposal passes community voting by meeting quorum and majority requirements, it moves to the Council Review stage, where council members—trusted participants holding the Council Role—decide whether it should be executed. At least 60% of council votes must support execution for it to proceed, after which users with the Executor Role can finalize the proposal. The system incorporates multiple security and administrative controls through roles such as Admin (who manages council members, voting parameters, and upgrades) and Default Admin (the super admin). To prevent abuse, the contract requires proposer deposits, enforces slashing on canceled proposals, and includes safeguards like reentrancy protection, pausability, and upgradeability via OpenZeppelin’s UUPS pattern. Together, these mechanisms ensure that governance decisions are transparent, community-driven, and secured with strong checks and balances.