Native if/then execution logic does not exist at the protocol layer. Limit orders and stop-losses require trusted third parties.
Pillar: Autonomy
The problem
DeFi protocols process discrete, user-initiated transactions. They have no concept of user intent over time. A limit order, stop-loss, or rebalancing trigger either requires a centralized order book, a trusted keeper, or doesn’t exist.
Account abstraction (ERC-4337) opens the door for this, but native conditional execution is not yet a standard primitive.
Why it matters
- Autonomy: I cannot implement basic investment logic (buy if price drops, sell if ratio exceeds X) without a trusted intermediary.
- Agency: Delegating execution to a keeper reintroduces custodial risk.
What exists today
Gelato, Keep3r, and similar keeper networks. Protocol-specific limit order books (e.g. dYdX). None are universal.
The gap
No standard for onchain conditional execution that doesn’t require a trusted keeper.
Open questions
- How far does ERC-4337 go toward solving this?
- What’s the trust model for intent-based architectures like UniswapX or CoW Protocol?