Blockchain infrastructure firm Biconomy has introduced a new Ethereum standard, ERC-8211, that aims to reshape how complex decentralized finance operations execute on-chain. The proposal, published April 6, 2026, introduces a system described as “smart batching,” which allows multi-step transactions to resolve dynamically at execution time rather than relying on fixed inputs set during signing.
The design addresses a long-standing limitation in DeFi systems, where transaction parameters must be defined in advance. That approach often creates friction when later steps depend on outputs that remain unknown until execution. Token swaps, lending withdrawals, and bridging operations frequently produce variable results due to price movement, fees, or liquidity conditions.
ERC-8211 proposes a shift away from that static structure. According to its specification, “smart batching resolves parameters at execution time,” which allows each step in a transaction to determine its inputs based on real-time on-chain data.
From static transactions to programmable execution
The proposal introduces a batch format in which every parameter includes instructions on how to retrieve its value and where to apply it. Each input carries a fetcher type, routing logic, and validation constraints. These elements define whether a value comes from a fixed input, an on-chain query, or a balance check, and ensure that conditions must hold before execution proceeds.
This structure allows transactions to behave more like programs than fixed scripts. A multi-step strategy can adapt as it executes, with later actions using the outputs of earlier ones without relying on estimates.
For example, a DeFi flow such as swapping one token and depositing the result into a lending protocol no longer requires a predefined amount. Instead, the second step can reference the actual tokens received from the first step. The system also introduces predicate entries, which encode conditions without executing a transaction. These checks act as safeguards between steps.
The specification describes these predicates as a way to turn a batch into “a program with embedded safety checks, not a hopeful script.”
Addressing a core DeFi bottleneck
Current batch execution methods on Ethereum often fail when assumptions about intermediate values prove incorrect. Developers must either hardcode optimistic values or use conservative estimates that leave unused funds. Both approaches create inefficiencies and increase the risk of transaction failure.
ERC-8211 targets this issue by allowing runtime parameter resolution combined with constraint validation. Each step must meet predefined conditions before the system moves forward. If any condition fails, the entire batch reverts, preserving atomicity.
Ahmed Al-Balaghi described the problem in practical terms.
“When you have an output from something like a swap, you don’t know how much that will be,” he said in the statement. “Developers have to either hard code that or find another way for that output to be used as an input for something else, like a deposit.”
He added that the new approach allows developers to compose flows directly from live balances.
Built without protocol changes
ERC-8211 does not require changes to Ethereum’s base protocol. It operates as an Ethereum Request for Comment (ERC), which defines application-level standards without the need for a network-wide upgrade.
The system works with existing account abstraction frameworks and can integrate into current smart account architectures. Developers can implement it using tools such as TypeScript without deploying new smart contracts for each workflow.
Implications for AI agents and DeFi automation
The introduction of ERC-8211 comes as AI-driven agents gain traction in managing on-chain assets and executing strategies. These systems require flexible execution environments that can respond to changing conditions without manual intervention.
Smart batching offers a framework where such agents can execute multi-step strategies with a single signature. A transaction can include swapping assets, supplying liquidity, and staking returns, all within one atomic operation. Each step evaluates real-time data and enforces constraints before proceeding.
The proposal positions itself as infrastructure for a more automated DeFi ecosystem. By reducing the need for manual coordination and improving reliability, it lowers barriers to complex strategies.
Biconomy describes the shift as a move from static execution toward programmable execution. The approach aims to simplify user experience while enabling advanced automation, particularly for AI-driven applications that operate continuously on-chain.
Roman Zaika
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