---
title: Overview
category: explanation
---

# Clear Signing Overview

Every day, millions of users blindly approve transactions they can't read. Clear Signing transforms this incomprehensible hex data into plain language that anyone can verify.

## The Problem: Blind Signing

When a wallet or dApp does not support Clear Signing for a given interaction, users face **blind signing**. They're presented with unreadable transaction hashes or encoded data, making it impossible to verify what they're actually authorizing.

![Comparison between blind signing and Clear Signing on Ledger signers](/clear-signing/blind-signing-risk.png)

Blind Signing Risks

- <span className="text-red-500 mt-1">•</span>
  <span>Shows only incomprehensible transaction hashes</span>
- <span className="text-red-500 mt-1">•</span>
  <span>Cannot verify transaction content or recipient</span>
- <span className="text-red-500 mt-1">•</span>
  <span>High risk of scams and phishing attacks</span>
- <span className="text-red-500 mt-1">•</span>
  <span>Poor user experience leads to mistakes</span>

0x23b872dd00000000000000000000000...

Clear Signing Benefits

- <span className="text-emerald-500 mt-1">•</span>
  <span>Shows formatted, readable transaction details</span>
- <span className="text-emerald-500 mt-1">•</span>
  <span>Verifies recipient, amount, and function</span>
- <span className="text-emerald-500 mt-1">•</span>
  <span>Reduces risk through complete transparency</span>
- <span className="text-emerald-500 mt-1">•</span>
  <span>Improves confidence and understanding</span>

Swap 0.5 ETH for \~1,250 USDC\

Maximum slippage: 0.5%

## The Solution: Clear Signing

Clear Signing is an open-source security initiative, spearheaded by Ledger and supported by the Clear Signing Alliance, that translates smart contract data into human-readable transaction details. Instead of a raw hash, the signer's Secure Screen shows the actual intent of the transaction, recipient, amount, approval type, and requesting dApp, in plain language. The core principle is simple: **what you see is what you sign.**

For the EVM ecosystem, Clear Signing is formally defined as the [ERC-7730](https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-7730) open-source standard. As a developer, you make it work by creating a JSON metadata file that describes your smart contract's functions. Once submitted and merged into the registry, every transaction through your protocol becomes readable in any compatible wallet.

![Clear Signed transaction displayed on a Ledger signer's Secure Screen](/clear-signing/preview-example-poap.png)

Example: A POAP claim transaction displayed with Clear Signing on Ledger Stax

## Real-World Examples

### Token Swap

Before: Blind Signing

0x23b872dd000000000000000000000000...\

000000000000000000000000a0b86991...\

000000000000000000000000000001f4

After: Clear Signing

Swap 0.5 ETH for \~1,250 USDC

Protocol:
Uniswap V3

Minimum received:
1,245 USDC

Maximum slippage:
0.5%

### NFT Purchase

Before: Blind Signing

0x42842e0e000000000000000000000000...\

00000000000000000000000023b872dd...\

0000000000000000000000000000d58f

After: Clear Signing

Buy NFT "CryptoPunk #3457"

Collection:
CryptoPunks

Price:
69.42 ETH

Seller:
punk-vault.eth

### DeFi Lending

Before: Blind Signing

0xf2b9fdb8000000000000000000000000...\

0000000000000000000000005f98805a...\

00000000000000000000000000002710

After: Clear Signing

Supply 100 USDC as collateral

Protocol:
Aave V3

Variable APY:
3.42%

Can be used as:
Collateral

## Why It Matters

### For Users

Clear Signing is your first line of defense against blockchain attacks:

✓

Phishing Protection
Verify addresses before sending assets

✓

Amount Verification
Confirm exact amounts and prevent errors

✓

Function Clarity
Understand what functions you're calling

✓

Permission Awareness
See all approvals and permissions granted

Clear Signing + Transaction Check: On Ledger touchscreen signers, Clear Signing works alongside Transaction Check, which analyses transactions for suspicious patterns and flags potential threats before the user confirms. Together they form a comprehensive safety layer available.

### For Protocols

Clear Signing delivers immediate business value:

✓

Reduced Support Burden
Fewer confused users means fewer support tickets and lower operational costs

✓

Increased User Adoption
Users feel confident when they understand what they're signing

✓

Growing Ecosystem
Join the Clear Signing Alliance, backed by Ledger, WalletConnect, the Ethereum Foundation, and others

## How It Works

### Create Metadata

Write a JSON file that describes your smart contract functions in human-readable terms.

### Submit for Review

Open a pull request to the [Clear Signing Registry](https://github.com/LedgerHQ/clear-signing-erc7730-registry).

### Automatic Integration

Compatible wallets automatically fetch your metadata and display transactions in plain language.

### Users Benefit

Users see exactly what they're signing, building trust and preventing mistakes.

## Built on Open Standards

ERC-7730 Standard

Clear Signing is built on [ERC-7730](https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-7730), an open-source, permissionless Ethereum standard for human-readable transaction signing. Any dApp can create a metadata file and any wallet can support the standard.

Interoperable
Community Driven
Security Audited
Open Source

> **Note:** **Security Guarantee:** Clear Signing never modifies transaction data. It adds a display layer that translates calldata into readable fields, verified on the signer's tamper-proof Secure Screen. No hidden approvals, no unreadable hashes, the user sees the actual intent of every transaction before confirming.

## Ready to Protect Your Users?

Now Available in Ledger Wallet

Clear Signing is already protecting millions of users in  and partner wallets. Join the growing ecosystem of protocols making blockchain safer and more accessible for everyone.

[<div className="font-semibold mb-2">Start Building →</div>
<div className="text-sm text-gray-400">Create your first metadata file in under 10 minutes</div>](./for-dapps/get-started)

[<div className="font-semibold mb-2">Technical Documentation →</div>
<div className="text-sm text-gray-400">Explore specifications, examples, and best practices</div>](./reference)