> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.seismic.systems/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.seismic.systems/reference/seismic-transaction.md).
# The Seismic Transaction
Seismic extends Ethereum's transaction model with encrypted calldata and authenticated reads. This section covers:
* [**Cryptography**](/reference/seismic-transaction/cryptography.md) — The encryption scheme (ECIES on secp256k1), key derivation, AEAD construction, and client key-management strategies
* [**Tx Lifecycle**](/reference/seismic-transaction/tx-lifecycle.md) — How a Seismic transaction is built, signed, submitted, validated, and executed; the `SeismicElements` metadata fields; wire vs. signing format; tx-pool validation rules
* [**Signed Reads**](/reference/seismic-transaction/signed-reads.md) — The read variant: Seismic txs sent to `eth_call`, with `msg.sender` recovered from the signature
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