Getting started with MetaMask
Metamask Extension: Enter the decentralized world effortlessly. Securely manage your digital assets, interact with decentralized apps, and experience the future of blockchain technology directly from
Last updated
Metamask Extension: Enter the decentralized world effortlessly. Securely manage your digital assets, interact with decentralized apps, and experience the future of blockchain technology directly from
Last updated
Metamask Extension: Enter the decentralized world effortlessly. Securely manage your digital assets, interact with decentralized apps, and experience the future of blockchain technology directly from your browser.
MetaMask is one of the most well-known and popular crypto wallets — and for a good reason. In addition to being incredibly easy and intuitive to use, it also has a great wealth of features and is the crypto wallet of choice for many crypto investors.
Today, let’s take a look at what makes it so special and see how you can use it to your advantage.
Table of Contents
MetaMask is a non-custodial hot crypto wallet. So… what does this mean, exactly?
To put it simply, MetaMask does not require you to own an actual physical device to store your cryptocurrencies — this wallet can be accessed via a browser or a mobile app, which makes it easy to use MetaMask on the go. Additionally, its non-custodial nature means that you will always be the only one in full control of your keys.
Unlike crypto exchange wallets — the ones that store your funds when you trade on Binance or Coinbase — MetaMask is completely decentralized, open source, and much more private. It does, however, have some drawbacks.
For one, although this wallet can store 450K cryptocurrencies, those are all tokens on the Ethereum network or the BNB Chain. That’s a lot of tokens — but still, that does limit your choices somehow, especially when it comes to getting popular cryptocurrencies like BTC or Dogecoin.
However, this drawback also gives way to one of MetaMask’s biggest advantages: its ability to seamlessly interact with smart contract-based projects that are live on the Ethereum network or its layer 2 solutions.
MetaMask doesn’t just store your funds: it allows you to actually use them. The wallet is integrated with many different dApps, DEXs, and traditional marketplaces. Here are some of the other advantages it boasts:
Top-notch security: MetaMask uses hierarchical deterministic settings, thus enabling users to back up their accounts.
All-in-one: this wallet lets you store, buy, and use your crypto without having to tread through a complicated, busy interface.
DApp access: the wallet provides users with a single sign-in option for Ethereum dApps — you won’t have to get separate logins and passwords.
Beginner-friendly: MetaMask has a simple, user-friendly interface and plenty of in-app tips.
Low fees: in addition to any network fees, MetaMask will also charge users a low fee of 0.3%–0.875% for any swaps.
Hardware wallet integrations: you won’t need to choose between a cold and a hot wallet if you’re using MetaMask.
MetaMask has some downsides too. As a hot wallet, it is naturally less secure than a cold one. The browser version is especially vulnerable to hackers and other criminals. However, these concerns plague pretty much all hot wallets — it is the price one has to pay for increased usability and functionality.
MetaMask plays a big role in making dApps a lot more accessible. Most decentralized applications, including DEXs, require you to connect a wallet to them, and that’s where MetaMask comes in.
But that’s not all! There are two other ways in which MetaMask enhances the dApp industry. Here they are:
MetaMask uses Infura, so it is pre-loaded with a fast connection to the Ethereum network. That allows developers to build a new dApp without having to set up and run a full network node.
MetaMask has full compatibility with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Brave browsers. This makes it a lot easier for developers to create dApps that will work well within those browsers too.
As you can see, MetaMask is not just amazing for users: it is great for developers and even the industry as a whole. It is definitely one of the key pieces of the DeFi world.
Now that we’ve taken a look at what makes this wallet special, let’s get our hands on it!
MetaMask is completely free and can be installed in under a minute (depending on your Internet connection). The installation process will differ slightly according to the platform you choose to go for.
Browser Version
Go to the metamask.io website and click on the “Download for [your browser]” button. The browser version of MetaMask is an extension available for Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge. It will open in a separate tab.
