eth_accounts - Plasma RPC Method

Returns a list of addresses owned by the client on Plasma.

Why Plasma? Build on an EVM Layer 1 for stablecoin payments with PlasmaBFT consensus and Reth execution with 1 second blocks, XPL gas, full EVM JSON-RPC, and debug plus txpool on Dwellir.

Important NoteCopy Anchor Link

On public RPC endpoints like Dwellir, eth_accounts returns an empty array because the node does not hold any private keys. This method is primarily useful for:

• Local development nodes (Ganache, Hardhat, Anvil)
• Private nodes with managed accounts
• Wallet provider connections (MetaMask injects accounts)

When to Use This MethodCopy Anchor Link

eth_accounts is relevant for payment app developers, wallet teams, and teams shipping Solidity contracts for dollar transfers in specific scenarios:

• Development Testing - Retrieve test accounts from local nodes
• Wallet Detection - Check if a wallet provider has connected accounts
• Client Verification - Confirm node account access capabilities

Best PracticesCopy Anchor Link

• Most public providers disable this method for security reasons; expect an empty array return
• Use wallet libraries (ethers.js, web3.py) for account management instead of relying on node-side accounts
• An empty array return is normal on managed providers and does not indicate an error condition

{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "method": "eth_accounts",
  "params": [],
  "id": 1
}

Code ExamplesCopy Anchor Link

Common Use CasesCopy Anchor Link

1. Development Environment DetectionCopy Anchor Link

Check if running against a development node with test accounts:

async function isDevEnvironment(provider) {
  const accounts = await provider.listAccounts();
  return accounts.length > 0;
}

const isDev = await isDevEnvironment(provider);
if (isDev) {
  console.log('Development environment detected');
}

2. Wallet Connection CheckCopy Anchor Link

Verify wallet provider has connected accounts:

async function checkWalletConnection() {
  if (typeof window.ethereum === 'undefined') {
    return { connected: false, reason: 'No wallet detected' };
  }

  const accounts = await window.ethereum.request({
    method: 'eth_accounts'
  });

  return {
    connected: accounts.length > 0,
    accounts: accounts
  };
}

3. Fallback Account SelectionCopy Anchor Link

Use first available account or request connection:

async function getActiveAccount() {
  // Check existing connections
  let accounts = await window.ethereum.request({
    method: 'eth_accounts'
  });

  // Request connection if no accounts
  if (accounts.length === 0) {
    accounts = await window.ethereum.request({
      method: 'eth_requestAccounts'
    });
  }

  return accounts[0] || null;
}

Error HandlingCopy Anchor Link

Common errors and solutions:

async function safeGetAccounts(provider) {
  try {
    const accounts = await provider.listAccounts();
    return { success: true, accounts };
  } catch (error) {
    if (error.code === -32601) {
      console.warn('eth_accounts not supported on this node');
      return { success: false, accounts: [], reason: 'unsupported' };
    }
    throw error;
  }
}

Related MethodsCopy Anchor Link

• eth_requestAccounts - Request wallet connection (browser wallets)
• eth_getBalance - Get account balance
• eth_getTransactionCount - Get account nonce