# Contract account

## Definition

A contract account is an Ethereum account controlled by smart-contract code rather than directly by a private key.

## What it means in practice

Contract accounts execute code when called and can maintain persistent state.

## How this concept appears in Terenval Wallet

When Terenval signs a transaction to a contract account, the wallet authorizes the call but the contract code determines execution.

**Important:** A contract address may execute complex logic, so do not treat every 0x destination as a simple payment address.

**[Install Terenval Wallet](https://wallet.terenval.com/?lang=en)**

## Related terms

- [Smart contract](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/smart-contract/)
- [Contract address](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/contract-address/)
- [Externally owned account](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/externally-owned-account/)
- [Calldata](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/calldata/)
- [Event log](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/event-log/)

## Related Terenval Answers

- [Ethereum Layer 2 Networks and Gas Fees](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/ethereum-layer-2-networks-and-gas-fees/)
- [Can One Crypto Wallet Manage Multiple Blockchains?](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/can-one-crypto-wallet-manage-multiple-blockchains/)
- [How to Send Crypto Safely Between Wallets](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/how-to-send-crypto-safely-between-wallets/)

## Sources

- https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/
- https://eips.ethereum.org/
- https://wallet.terenval.com/info/supported-networks/

Official page: https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/contract-account/