Glossary

Key terms and concepts used in Veridex documentation.

A

Account Abstraction (AA)

A paradigm where user accounts are smart contracts instead of externally owned accounts (EOAs). Enables features like gasless transactions, session keys, and custom authentication.

Authenticator

A device or software that can generate and verify passkey credentials. Examples: TouchID, FaceID, Windows Hello, hardware security keys.

B

Biometric Authentication

Using biological characteristics (fingerprint, face, iris) to verify identity. Passkeys use biometrics to protect the signing key.

Bridge

A protocol for moving assets between different blockchains. Veridex uses Wormhole for cross-chain transfers.

Bundler

In ERC-4337, the service that bundles multiple UserOperations into a single transaction for submission to the blockchain.

C

CCQ (Cross-Chain Query)

Wormhole's fast path for cross-chain operations, providing 5-7 second finality instead of the standard 60+ seconds.

Credential ID

A unique identifier for a passkey credential, used to look up the correct key during authentication.

E

EIP-4337

Ethereum Improvement Proposal defining the Account Abstraction standard, enabling smart contract wallets without protocol changes.

Entry Point

The singleton contract in ERC-4337 that validates and executes UserOperations.

EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine)

The runtime environment for smart contracts on Ethereum and compatible chains (Base, Optimism, Arbitrum, etc.).

F

FIDO2

An authentication standard that includes WebAuthn and CTAP protocols, enabling passwordless authentication.

G

Gasless Transactions

Transactions where the user doesn't pay gas fees directly. A relayer or paymaster covers the gas costs.

Guardian

A trusted party who can help recover a wallet if access is lost. Used in social recovery systems.

H

Hub Chain

In Veridex's hub-and-spoke architecture, the central chain (Base) where passkeys are registered and master state is maintained.

Hub-and-Spoke

Architecture pattern where a central hub coordinates with multiple spoke chains. Veridex uses this for cross-chain passkey authentication.

P

P-256 (secp256r1)

The elliptic curve used by WebAuthn/passkeys. Also known as prime256v1 or NIST P-256.

Passkey

A cryptographic credential that replaces passwords, using public-key cryptography with biometric protection.

Paymaster

In ERC-4337, a contract that sponsors gas fees for users, enabling gasless transactions.

Platform Authenticator

A passkey authenticator built into the device (TouchID, FaceID, Windows Hello) as opposed to a roaming authenticator (USB security key).

R

Relayer

A service that submits transactions on behalf of users, enabling gasless operations. Veridex's relayer handles transaction submission and gas payment.

RP (Relying Party)

The website or app that uses passkeys for authentication. In WebAuthn, the RP receives and verifies credentials.

Roaming Authenticator

A portable passkey authenticator like a USB security key that can be used across multiple devices.

S

secp256r1

See P-256. The elliptic curve standard used by passkeys.

secp256k1

The elliptic curve used by Bitcoin and Ethereum for traditional wallets. Different from secp256r1 used by passkeys.

Session Key

A temporary key with limited permissions that can sign transactions without requiring passkey authentication for each action.

Smart Contract Wallet

A wallet implemented as a smart contract, enabling features like multi-sig, recovery, and custom authentication.

Social Recovery

A recovery mechanism where designated guardians can help restore access to a wallet.

Spoke Chain

In hub-and-spoke architecture, a chain that syncs with the hub. Veridex supports Optimism, Arbitrum, Solana, Aptos, Sui, and Starknet as spokes.

U

UserOperation

In ERC-4337, the data structure representing a user's intended transaction, processed by bundlers and the entry point.

V

VAA (Verifiable Action Approval)

Wormhole's standard message format, signed by guardians to verify cross-chain messages.

Vault

In Veridex, the smart contract wallet controlled by a passkey. Each user has one vault address across all chains.

Vault Factory

The contract that deploys new vault instances with deterministic addresses.

W

WebAuthn

The W3C standard for web authentication using public-key cryptography, the foundation of passkeys.

Wormhole

A cross-chain messaging protocol used by Veridex for bridging assets and syncing state between chains.

Common Acronyms