WalletConnect Fixes EIP-191 Hashing for Unicode Messages

Published: 2026-10-08 07:29:27 |

WalletConnect Utils 2.26.0 fixes an EIP-191 message-hashing bug affecting non-ASCII text in SIWE and CACAO messages. The issue arose because the code counted JavaScript UTF-16 code units instead of the UTF-8 bytes required by the standard. As a result, compliant wallets could not verify those messages through EIP-191 or EIP-1271. The WalletConnect fix restores standard hashing for Unicode input; hashes of ASCII-only messages are unchanged. The update also includes @walletconnect/types 2.26.0.

Neutral

The fix addresses a compatibility and verification defect rather than changing Ethereum’s monetary or network fundamentals, so its direct market impact is likely neutral. In the short term, affected developers and users may benefit from restored verification for SIWE and CACAO messages containing Unicode, potentially reducing failed sign-ins or wallet integrations. Such reliability fixes can improve confidence in an ecosystem’s tooling, but this release provides no evidence of a material change in usage, transaction demand, or liquidity. Longer term, correct EIP-191 hashing supports safer and more predictable wallet interactions. As with other library patches, traders are more likely to treat it as a technical maintenance update than a price catalyst; broader market conditions and adoption data remain more important indicators.