In the rapidly evolving world of Web3, Safe—formerly known as Gnosis Safe—has emerged as a foundational pillar in securing digital assets and advancing user ownership. Built on Ethereum, Safe is more than just a wallet; it’s a comprehensive smart contract platform designed to redefine how users interact with decentralized applications (dApps), manage assets, and participate in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).
With over 8 million smart accounts deployed and more than $100 billion in secured assets, Safe has cemented its role as critical infrastructure across more than 100 EVM-compatible networks. Its evolution from a multi-signature wallet to a modular, developer-first ecosystem reflects its mission: to make smart contract accounts the default standard for Web3 interaction.
The Evolution of Safe: From Gnosis to Independence
Safe began its journey in 2017 as the Gnosis Multi-signature Wallet, a secure solution for managing digital assets within the Gnosis ecosystem. In 2018, it evolved into Gnosis Safe, introducing a modular architecture that allowed for greater flexibility and enhanced security features. This shift positioned Safe as a go-to tool for DAOs and institutional users who required robust, collaborative asset management.
By July 2022, Safe had grown so significantly that it spun off from Gnosis to operate independently, rebranding simply as Safe. This move was accompanied by a $100 million funding round led by 1kx, with participation from major players like Tiger Global, Lightspeed, Digital Currency Group, and ParaFi Capital.
“For mainstream adoption of web3 we need to overcome the risks and limitations of private key accounts. Safe provides a critical public good as a composable and use-case agnostic smart contract account.”
— Lukas Schor, Co-founder of Safe
This independence marked a turning point, allowing Safe to focus exclusively on expanding its ecosystem, improving developer tooling, and driving the adoption of account abstraction—a paradigm that makes blockchain interactions safer and more user-friendly.
Core Components of the Safe Ecosystem
Safe’s strength lies in its modular, open-source architecture. The Safe{Core} suite empowers developers to integrate smart accounts into any application seamlessly. It consists of three main components:
Safe{Core} SDK
The Safe{Core} SDK simplifies the integration of Safe Smart Accounts into third-party platforms. By abstracting the technical complexity of setting up a smart contract wallet, it enables developers to focus on building innovative use cases—from gaming and social apps to AI-driven dApps—without reinventing the security wheel.
Safe Transaction Service API
The Safe Transaction Service API offers a REST-based interface for managing transactions. Developers can use it to:
- Track transaction history
- Submit transactions securely
- Collect signatures off-chain
- Notify account owners of pending actions
This level of control enhances both security and usability, especially for teams managing multi-user wallets or DAO treasuries.
Safe Smart Account
At the heart of the ecosystem is the Safe Smart Account, designed to become the universal standard for smart contract-based wallets. Unlike traditional EOAs (Externally Owned Accounts), these accounts support advanced features like:
- Multi-signature approvals
- Session keys
- Gasless transactions
- Social recovery
These capabilities make them ideal for everyday users and enterprises alike, bridging the gap between crypto-native complexity and mainstream accessibility.
👉 Discover how smart accounts are transforming Web3 user experiences.
Strategic Partnerships Driving Innovation
Safe has forged key alliances to accelerate the adoption of account abstraction and improve the overall Web3 user experience.
Safe x Chainlink (April 2024)
In April 2024, Safe partnered with Chainlink Labs, the driving force behind the industry-standard decentralized oracle network. This collaboration aims to enhance on-chain security and promote wider adoption of Safe infrastructure by integrating Chainlink’s reliable data feeds and services.
Safe x Base (February 2024)
Working with Base, Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer 2 network, Safe introduced modular tooling and free gas credits for developers. This initiative lowers barriers to entry, enabling builders to create secure, efficient dApps while pushing smart accounts as the default ownership model on Ethereum.
Safe x Web3Auth (December 2023)
The integration with Web3Auth, a Wallet-as-a-Service provider, led to the creation of SafeAuth—a Multi-Party Computation (MPC)-based solution that combines social login convenience with enterprise-grade security. Compatible with Safe{Wallet} and other ecosystem apps, SafeAuth enables truly portable smart account experiences.
“By integrating Web3Auth's innovative social login technology with Safe's pioneering account abstraction, we're elevating the crypto experience.”
— Tobias Schubotz, Co-founder and Product Lead at Safe
Safe x Pimlico (July 2024)
In July 2024, Safe teamed up with Pimlico to launch the Safe{Core} Multi-Chain Gas Station program on Polygon PoS and Gnosis Chain. With $250,000 in gas fee credits for developers, this initiative removes one of the biggest friction points in Web3: unpredictable transaction costs.
“Users don’t pay the AWS bills of web2 apps—and shouldn’t have to on web3.”
— Lukas Schor
This vision underscores Safe’s commitment to making blockchain interactions as seamless as traditional web experiences.
Engaging the Community: Safe{Pass} and Safe{Con}
Beyond technology, Safe actively fosters community engagement through initiatives like:
Safe{Pass}
Launched in 2024, Safe{Pass} rewards users for interacting with their Safe Smart Accounts. Whether through weekly activity or transaction volume, participants earn points that contribute to ecosystem growth. The first season runs until September 30, 2024, incentivizing both new and existing users across all wallets built on Safe.
Safe{Con}
Held on May 23, 2024 in Berlin, Safe{Con} brought together developers, investors, and users shaping the future of ownership infrastructure. Featuring speakers like Lukas Schor, Illia Polosukhin (NEAR Protocol), and Maike Hornung, the event highlighted advancements in smart accounts and decentralized identity.
The SAFE Token: Powering Governance and Growth
The $SAFE token is the native ERC-20 governance token of the Safe ecosystem. With a fixed supply of 1 billion tokens, it plays a crucial role in decentralized decision-making for core infrastructure, including:
- Safe Contracts
- Default Interfaces
- On-chain Assets
- Tokenomics Policies
Token allocation is community-focused:
- 60% to community treasuries
- 15% to core contributors
- 15% to Safe Foundation
- 5% each to ecosystem and user incentives
Holding $SAFE grants users voting rights within SafeDAO, aligning stakeholders around a shared vision: making smart accounts the foundation of Web3 identity and ownership.
👉 Learn how governance tokens are shaping the future of decentralized ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Safe Smart Account?
A Safe Smart Account is a programmable wallet built on Ethereum that uses smart contracts instead of private keys. It supports features like multi-sig approvals, gas sponsorship, session keys, and social recovery—making it far more secure and flexible than traditional wallets.
How does account abstraction benefit users?
Account abstraction removes the complexity of managing private keys. Users can enjoy familiar login methods (like email or social accounts), recover access easily, and enjoy enhanced security through customizable transaction rules—all while maintaining full control over their assets.
Can I use Safe on blockchains other than Ethereum?
Yes. Safe is deployed across more than 100 EVM-compatible networks, including Polygon, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Gnosis Chain. This cross-chain compatibility makes it one of the most widely adopted smart contract platforms in Web3.
How do I get started with a Safe wallet?
You can create a Safe wallet at app.safe.global. From there, you can set up multi-signature controls, connect dApps, manage assets, and explore integration options via the Safe{Core} SDK.
What is the difference between Gnosis Safe and Safe?
Gnosis Safe was the original name when it operated under the Gnosis ecosystem. After spinning off in July 2022, it rebranded to Safe to reflect its independence and broader mission beyond Gnosis.
Is my money safe in a Safe Smart Account?
Yes. All funds are held directly in smart contracts on-chain—never by a third party. The code is open-source, audited, and has secured over $100 billion in assets without major incidents.
👉 Start building with one of the most trusted smart account platforms in Web3 today.