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About Metamask
MetaMask is the world's most popular self-custodial crypto wallet, enabling users to access decentralized applications across Ethereum and EVM-compatible blockchains. Created by Aaron Davis and Dan Finlay at ConsenSys in 2016, MetaMask pioneered the browser extension wallet concept that made Web3 accessible to mainstream users.
Available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge, plus mobile apps for iOS and Android, MetaMask serves over 30 million monthly active users. The wallet allows users to store ETH and ERC-20 tokens, interact with dApps, swap tokens, buy crypto with fiat, and manage NFTs. MetaMask Snaps enables third-party extensions to add functionality like support for non-EVM chains.
MetaMask has become the de facto standard for Web3 authentication, with most dApps using 'Connect with MetaMask' as their primary login method. The wallet generates revenue through swap fees (0.875%) and on-ramp partnerships. As the gateway to DeFi, NFTs, and Web3 for millions of users, MetaMask remains essential infrastructure in the Ethereum ecosystem.
Key Features
Multi-Chain Support
Connect to Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, BSC, and hundreds of EVM chains
In-App Swaps
Swap tokens directly in the wallet with aggregated quotes from multiple DEXs
NFT Management
View, send, and manage NFT collections across supported networks
Hardware Wallet
Connect Ledger and Trezor hardware wallets for enhanced security
MetaMask Snaps
Extend functionality with third-party plugins for non-EVM chains and features
Portfolio View
Track your holdings across chains with the integrated portfolio dashboard
Use Cases
DeFi Access
Connect to lending, DEX, and yield protocols on Ethereum and L2s
NFT Trading
Buy, sell, and manage NFTs on OpenSea, Blur, and other marketplaces
Token Swaps
Trade tokens with competitive rates through integrated DEX aggregation
Web3 Login
Sign in to dApps and websites using your wallet address
Cross-Chain
Bridge assets and interact with apps across multiple EVM networks
Project Info
Frequently Asked Questions
MetaMask is a self-custodial crypto wallet, meaning you control your private keys—not MetaMask or ConsenSys. It's generally considered safe when used properly: enable password protection, never share your Secret Recovery Phrase, verify transaction details before signing, and be cautious of phishing sites. The main risks are user error (losing seed phrase, signing malicious transactions) rather than software vulnerabilities.
Click the network dropdown at the top, then 'Add Network.' You can add popular networks like Polygon or Arbitrum with one click, or manually enter RPC details for other chains. Sites like Chainlist.org provide verified network configurations you can add automatically. Always verify RPC URLs from official sources to avoid connecting to malicious nodes.
Snaps are third-party extensions that add functionality to MetaMask. They can enable support for non-EVM chains (like Bitcoin, Solana, Cosmos), add new transaction insights, provide custom notifications, and more. Snaps run in isolated environments for security. You install them from the MetaMask Snaps directory, and each Snap requests specific permissions you must approve.
Common causes: gas price too low (increase gas), nonce issues (reset account in settings), network congestion (wait or speed up), or smart contract errors (check the dApp). For stuck transactions, you can 'Speed Up' (pay more gas) or 'Cancel' (send 0 ETH to yourself with same nonce). MetaMask's activity tab shows pending transactions you can manage.
MetaMask earns through swap fees (0.875% on in-app token swaps via MetaMask Swaps), on-ramp partnerships (fees from fiat-to-crypto purchases through providers like MoonPay/Transak), and MetaMask Institutional services for organizations. The core wallet functionality is free—you only pay network gas fees for transactions.