What is MetaMask?
MetaMask is a Crypto Wallet built by Consensys. It started in 2016 as a browser extension for Ethereum and today also runs as a mobile app on Android and iOS. The browser extension works with Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Brave.
MetaMask describes itself as a self-custody wallet. That means the software stores your keys on your own device, and the company does not hold your funds for you. This is the core idea of a Non-Custodial Wallet: you hold the keys, so you also carry the responsibility.
It is a Software Wallet, which means it runs as an app on a phone or inside a browser that is connected to the internet. Many people know MetaMask as the "login button" for dApp (Decentralized Application) sites such as decentralized exchanges and NFT marketplaces. The software is free to download. Using it can still cost network fees and service fees, covered below.
This page is educational and describes how the product works. It is not a recommendation to use MetaMask or any other wallet. Product details change often, so check the official MetaMask Help Center before you rely on them.
How MetaMask works (accounts, keys, networks, dApp connections)
A wallet does not store coins the way a purse stores cash. Tokens live on a blockchain. The wallet stores the keys that prove you can move them, and it shows you the balances that the network reports.
Accounts and keys
When you create a wallet, MetaMask generates a Seed Phrase (Mnemonic Phrase). MetaMask calls it the Secret Recovery Phrase, and its wallets use 12 words. From this phrase the app can derive many accounts, each with its own public address and private key.
Your password only unlocks MetaMask on one device. It does not recover your wallet. The recovery phrase is the master key: whoever has it controls every account made from it.
Networks
MetaMask began on Ethereum and works with other EVM-compatible networks, which use the same account format as Ethereum. Examples include Linea, Base, Polygon, BNB Chain, Arbitrum and Avalanche. Its help pages also describe support for Solana and Bitcoin. You choose the active network inside the wallet, and the same address can hold tokens on several EVM networks.
Each network charges its own fees to process transactions. On Ethereum-style networks these are called Gas (Gas Fees & Gas Limit). The fee is paid in the network's native asset, such as Ether (ETH) on Ethereum, so a wallet with tokens but no native asset may be unable to send them.
dApp connections
When you open a decentralized app, it asks to connect to your wallet. Connecting shares your public address and lets the app request actions. It does not give the app your keys. Each action, such as a swap, a signature or a token approval, needs your confirmation in a MetaMask pop-up.
Connecting a wallet is like showing an address, not handing over a key. The risk comes from what you approve and sign afterwards.
Key features (swaps, networks, tokens, NFTs)
MetaMask has grown from a simple Ethereum wallet into a wider product. The list below is based on the MetaMask website and Help Center as of 2026. Features, regions and fees can change and may differ by country, so confirm them in the app.
- Token storage and sending: hold ETH and other tokens, and add custom tokens by contract address.
- Swaps: exchange tokens inside the wallet using a built-in quote system. MetaMask lists a 0.875% fee on swaps, plus the network fee.
- Multiple networks: the swap help page lists networks including Ethereum, Linea, Base, Solana, Bitcoin, Polygon, BNB Chain, Arbitrum and Avalanche.
- Buying crypto: a fiat on-ramp lets some users buy tokens through third-party providers, whose fees and availability vary.
- NFTs: view collectibles held in your accounts.
- Other products: MetaMask also promotes a card, tokenized stocks and funds, and perpetual futures. These are higher-risk or region-limited, so read the terms first.
Swaps deserve a closer look. MetaMask says gasless swaps, where the gas cost is built into the quote, are available on some networks including Ethereum Mainnet, BNB Smart Chain, Linea and Arbitrum, when certain settings are on. The quote you see before confirming is the number to read, because it combines the exchange rate, the 0.875% fee and any network fee.
| Feature | What it does | Cost to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Send and receive | Moves tokens between addresses | Network (gas) fee |
| Swap | Exchanges one token for another in the app | 0.875% fee plus network fee |
| Buy | Purchases tokens with a card or bank | Provider fees, vary |
| dApp connection | Lets sites request actions | Network fee per action |
Features such as leveraged trading, tokenized assets or yield products carry the risk of losing some or all of your money. Their availability depends on where you live. Check the rules in your own country and ask a qualified adviser if unsure.
Security: recovery phrase, phishing and token approvals
Because MetaMask is self-custodial, security depends mostly on you. MetaMask's own guidance covers three main areas.
Recovery phrase
Anyone with your phrase can access every account in the wallet. MetaMask states that it will never ask you for your phrase or password. You should enter the phrase only when creating or restoring your own wallet, in the real app, and never into a website, a form or a chat.
- Write the phrase down and store it offline, away from screenshots, cloud notes and email.
- Never share it with anyone, including people who say they work for MetaMask.
- Consider keeping a backup in a second safe place in case of fire or loss.
- MetaMask also offers a way to log in with a Google or Apple account. If you use it, the account and its password become part of your security, so keep them strong and different from your MetaMask password.
Phishing
Phishing means a fake site, app, email or message that tricks you into revealing a phrase or signing something harmful. Scammers copy wallet screens and ads closely. Type the official address yourself, use bookmarks, and download the app only from official stores.
Token approvals
Many dApps ask for permission to spend a token from your wallet. This is called a token approval. MetaMask advises you to read what a dApp is requesting before you approve, and to set a limited amount where possible instead of unlimited access. A limit reduces the loss if the dApp turns out to be malicious.
Never type your recovery phrase into any website, app or support chat. Anyone who asks for it is trying to steal your funds. For large balances, MetaMask's own tips recommend a hardware wallet, which keeps keys offline.
Common problems and scams
Most losses involving MetaMask come from deception, not from a flaw in the software. These are common patterns.
- Fake support: a person in a chat or direct message offers help and asks for your phrase. Real MetaMask support does not ask for it.
- Fake wallet or site: a copycat extension, app or search ad leads to a site that asks you to "validate" or "restore" your wallet.
- Wallet drainers: a site asks you to sign a message or approval that lets an attacker move your tokens.
- Airdrop and NFT bait: unknown tokens appear in your wallet with a link to "claim" something. Ignore them.
- Too-good-to-be-true yields: promises of high, risk-free returns. MetaMask's own tips warn that such offers are a red flag.
Everyday problems
If a transaction is stuck, it is often because the gas fee was set too low for current network demand. If tokens do not appear, the wallet may be on the wrong network, or the token may need to be added manually. If you forget your password, you can reset it using your recovery phrase.
A user sees a pop-up on an unfamiliar site that says "Wallet error, re-enter your phrase to continue." This is a standard phishing trick. MetaMask never asks for the phrase in this way, so the safe response is to close the tab.
MetaMask vs other wallets
MetaMask is one of several widely used non-custodial wallets, and there are also custodial options run by exchanges. The right type depends on your needs, so the table compares categories rather than ranking products.
| Wallet type | Who holds the keys | Typical examples |
|---|---|---|
| MetaMask (software wallet) | You, on your device | Browser extension, mobile app |
| Other software wallets | You, on your device | Other mobile and extension wallets |
| Hardware wallet | You, on an offline device | Dedicated signing devices |
| Exchange account | The exchange | Accounts at centralized exchanges |
Software wallets are convenient for dApps and daily use, but they run on a device that is online. Hardware wallets add protection by keeping keys offline, and some can be paired with MetaMask. Exchange accounts are simpler to recover, but the exchange controls the assets and can restrict access.
Mentioning a product here is not an endorsement. Compare supported networks, fees, security audits, open-source status and your own technical comfort before choosing any wallet.
Is MetaMask a coin?
No. MetaMask is a wallet, not a cryptocurrency. You cannot buy "MetaMask coin" the way you buy ETH. Ether is the native asset of Ethereum and is used to pay network fees. MetaMask is only the software that holds and moves it.
As of 2026, the MetaMask Help Center says there are no plans for a $MASK token. Past media reports and interviews have discussed a possible token, so treat any site, chat or airdrop claiming to give out a MetaMask token as a likely scam until MetaMask confirms it on its official channels.
Fake "MetaMask token" claims and airdrop links are used to trick people into connecting wallets or sharing phrases. Check only the official MetaMask website and Help Center.
Frequently asked questions
What is MetaMask?
MetaMask is a crypto wallet made by Consensys that runs as a browser extension and a mobile app. It lets you hold tokens, send and swap them, and connect to decentralized apps on Ethereum and other networks. It is self-custodial, so you control the keys through a secret recovery phrase.
Is MetaMask safe?
No wallet is risk-free. MetaMask publishes security guidance and says it uses third-party audits, but your safety depends heavily on your own habits. Most losses come from phishing, fake support and harmful approvals, not from the software itself. Keep your recovery phrase offline and never share it, and consider a hardware wallet for larger amounts.
Is MetaMask a coin?
No. MetaMask is a wallet application, not a cryptocurrency. You cannot buy a MetaMask coin. As of 2026, the MetaMask Help Center says there are no plans for a $MASK token. Treat any website or message offering a MetaMask token or airdrop with strong suspicion, and check official MetaMask channels.
Is MetaMask custodial or non-custodial?
MetaMask is non-custodial, also called self-custodial. Your keys are created and stored on your own device, and MetaMask does not hold your funds or keep a copy of your recovery phrase. The benefit is control. The trade-off is that you alone are responsible for backing up the phrase and avoiding scams.
What happens if I lose my MetaMask recovery phrase?
If you can still open your wallet, back up the phrase right away using MetaMask's security settings. If you lose both device access and the phrase, MetaMask cannot recover your wallet and the funds are usually lost for good. If you set up a Google or Apple login option, check MetaMask's help pages on what that can restore.
Does MetaMask charge fees?
The app is free to download. Using it can involve costs: network (gas) fees paid to the blockchain, a 0.875% fee on swaps listed by MetaMask, and fees from third-party providers if you buy crypto. Fees and availability can change and vary by region and network, so check the quote in the app before confirming.
Related terms
- Crypto Wallet
- Non-Custodial Wallet
- Seed Phrase (Mnemonic Phrase)
- dApp (Decentralized Application)
- Software Wallet
- Gas (Gas Fees & Gas Limit)
- Ether (ETH)
Sources
- Getting started with MetaMask MetaMask Help Center (Consensys)
- User guide: Swaps MetaMask Help Center (Consensys)
- Basic safety and security tips for MetaMask MetaMask Help Center (Consensys)
- User guide: Secret Recovery Phrase, password and private keys MetaMask Help Center (Consensys)
- What is MetaMask Rewards MetaMask Help Center (Consensys)
- MetaMask MetaMask (Consensys Software Inc.)
- The Daily: MASK token is coming sooner than you expect The Block
This glossary entry is for general information and education only. It is not investment, tax or legal advice. Crypto assets are high-risk; check official sources before you act.