How and Why to Add One-Click Auth (SIWE) to Your App
The Sign-In with Ethereum (SIWE) standard, defined in EIP-4361, was created to establish a self-custodial way for users to authenticate with web applications using their Ethereum accounts. By utilizing digital signatures, it replaces traditional "username and password" silos with a secure, decentralized alternative that has become the industry standard for onchain identity.
While SIWE is powerful for Ethereum-native flows, Reown also offers Multichain auth (SIWX) as a flagship version for broader compatibility, alongside social and email login options to ensure you can onboard any user, regardless of their crypto fluency.
But if you’re focused on building with SIWE, here’s how and why you should implement it via Reown.
Let’s dive in.
Why Add One-click Auth (SIWE) to Your App
There are a few key reasons you may want to add one-click auth to your app, namely;
To reach more users across the Ethereum ecosystem
Integrating SIWE allows your application to tap into the massive existing base of Ethereum users who already manage their identities via compatible wallets. By supporting this standard, you ensure your app is instantly accessible to millions of active participants across the EVM landscape.
Allow users to sign in with their chosen wallet
One-click auth gives users the freedom to use their preferred tools without being forced into a specific provider's silo. Because Reown unlocks connections to 500+ wallets, users can authenticate with the security and interface they already trust.
Unlock friction-free onboarding
Traditional web3 login often requires multiple steps and pop-ups that lead to user drop-off. One-click auth minimizes these hurdles, allowing for a "single-gesture" login that turns a complex technical hurdle into a user-friendly flow.
Who Should Add One-click Auth (SIWE) to Their Apps?
DeFi apps
For DeFi, security, speed and decentralization are paramount. SIWE provides a cryptographically verified way to authenticate users—without compromising their custody of their assets.
Marketplaces
Onchain marketplaces benefit from SIWE by allowing users to quickly verify their identity, thus bridging the gap between a wallet address and a personalized shopping experience. Since users can authengticate with familiar wallet providers in just one click, they can start shopping without friction.
Onchain Governance platforms
Governance requires high-integrity verification to ensure that voters are who they claim to be. SIWE provides the necessary authentication layer to allow users to sign in and cast their votes without friction. This is imperative to prevent voter fatigue, as with too much complexity and without a streamlined user experience, governance participants will simply choose to vote less.
How Does One-click Auth (SIWE) Work?
One-click auth (SIWE) leverages the Reown SDK to simplify the complex handshake between an onchain app and a wallet. When a user attempts to sign in, the application generates a unique SIWE message based on EIP-4361. The Reown SDK then prompts the user's wallet to sign this message.
This process occurs in a single user action—the "One-click"—where the connection and the signature are handled simultaneously. Once the signature is verified on the backend, a secure session is established, allowing the builder to associate metadata with that specific wallet address without needing a centralized password database.
What to Consider Before You Add One-click Auth (SIWE) to Your App
User Experience
SIWE is specifically optimized for Ethereum-native users because it reduces the number of clicks required to authenticate. By combining the "connect" and "sign" steps, you significantly reduce the friction that typically causes users to abandon the onboarding process.
Compliance
If your application needs to meet specific regulatory requirements, such as the Travel Rule, you may require more robust verification than standard SIWE provides. In these cases, builders are better off choosing SIWX, which integrates seamlessly with verification APIs to ensure global compliance without breaking the UX.
Learn more about SIWX for compliance →
Support for multiple wallets
While SIWE is the standard for the Ethereum ecosystem, it is limited to EVM-compatible chains. If your growth strategy involves reaching users on Solana or Bitcoin, SIWX is the more complete choice, as it provides a consistent authentication experience across multiple non-EVM ecosystems.
Learn more about Multichain auth (SIWX) →
How to Integrate One-click Auth (SIWE) Into Your App: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to implement One-click auth using the Reown SDK:
Step 1: Initialize the AppKit Client
Set up the Reown SDK within your project by providing your Project ID and the desired metadata. This initializes the environment needed to communicate with 500+ wallets.
Step 2: Configure the SIWE Provider
Define your SIWE configuration, including your domain, a function to create the message, and a verification endpoint. This ensures that the messages generated follow the EIP-4361 standard and can be validated by your backend.
Step 3: Implement the Sign-in Trigger
Add the AppKit connection component to your UI. When the user selects their wallet, the SDK will automatically trigger the One-click flow, requesting a signature and returning the verified session to your application.
Why Reown is the Best Solution for Authentication
Reown transforms simple connectivity into a high-performance product suite. While we provide robust support for SIWE, our multichain auth (SIWX) solution is the most powerful and complete option for builders today.
SIWX offers a more complete authentication solution by extending the benefits of SIWE—like secure, message-based login—to every major chain, including Solana and Bitcoin. By choosing Reown, you gain access to built-in analytics to track drop-offs and compliance tools that scale with your growth, all while leveraging the trusted security of the WalletConnect network.
Add One-click Auth (SIWE) to Your App and Scale to the Millions
Now, you’re ready to authenticate with ease! By integrating One-click auth, you've removed a major barrier for your users and set the stage for a more scalable, user-friendly onchain experience.
