# Accounts & Identities

"Accounts" are a fundamental concept in the IoTeX blockchain, represented by a pair of cryptographic keys, so called "**private key"** and a "**public key",** utilized to sign and verify [blockchain actions](/blockchain/learn-iotex/core-concepts/blockchain-actions.md).

IoTeX accounts could be used by individual users, machines, or business entities, facilitating interactions with the blockchain and dApps. Like Ethereum, IoTeX's architecture includes two types of accounts:

* **Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs):** Controlled by private keys, these accounts represent individual users or entities.\
  [Learn more about Account Cryptography](/blockchain/build/reference-docs/native-iotex-development/account-cryptography.md).
* **Contract Accounts:** These are associated with smart contracts deployed on the blockchain and operate based on their programmed logic. Each contract account maintains a balance, nonce, and storage, contributing to IoTeX's global state.

{% hint style="info" %}
💡 **Note**: IoTeX introduced **account abstraction** with [IIP-14](https://iotex.io/blog/iip-14-proposes-user-friendly-web3-onboarding), enabling more flexible and user-friendly interactions with the blockchain. This upgrade opens the door for seamless onboarding, programmable authentication, and automated execution — all within a unified account model.
{% endhint %}

## Account Abstraction

IoTeX supports Account Abstraction as defined by  [**ERC-4337**](https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-4337) v0.6.0.

{% hint style="info" %}
*"Account Abstraction (AA)* *allows users to use smart contract wallets containing arbitrary verification logic instead of EOAs as their primary account.*" 
{% endhint %}

By enabling people to use Smart Contracts as their primary accounts, ERC-4337 introduces many user experience benefits.

ERC-4337 runs on top of the blockchain and does not require any changes to the blockchain itself. Currently, the IoTeX Account Abstraction code is based on ERC-4337 0.6.0 release version.

## ioID Identities

The blockchain also supports ioID identities, providing a secure and verified identity system that integrates seamlessly with various DePIN projects and applications.

[↗ Learn more about ioID](broken://pages/GCnah9r4BHZ9ZuGRPMx0)


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