A step-by-step guide to linking your MetaMask wallet with blockchains such as Binance Smart Chains, Avalanches, Polygons, Harmony, and Harmony.
What is MetaMask?
MetaMask is a web-based tool that ConsenSys Software Inc. developed to make it easy to connect the current internet (web 2.0) and the decentralized web (web 3.0).
It’s basically a software toolbox that allows you to interact with decentralized apps (DApps), smart contracts, and DeFi through a web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. MetaMask can be used as both a browser extension or a mobile application.
MetaMask is an Ethereum wallet that allows you to buy, store and trade your ETH and tokens. Your non-fungible tokens can be stored and displayed in your wallet.
Some cryptocurrency wallets will require you to manage your private keys manually. MetaMask allows you to remember your password, seed phrase, and username in order to use your cryptocurrency.
MetaMask can still be used to interact with smart contracts and DApps even if your tokens are stored on a hardware wallet such as Ledger.
MetaMask’s ease-of-use and accessibility make it extremely popular. MetaMask currently has more than 3,000,000 active users per month.
MetaMask connects to Ethereum by default. However, you can link it to other blockchains in order to access DApps – a process that we will walk you through later in the guide.
How to download MetaMask
MetaMask can be used as both a browser extension or as a mobile application. There is no desktop app at the moment.
Chrome, Firefox, and Brave browser extensions are available. Both the Apple App Store as well as the Google Store offer the mobile app. All the functionality and features available in the browser extension’s mobile app, including account creation, are available to the mobile apps.
Go to the MetaMask website and click the button that says “Install MetaMask (your browser)”.
After the download is complete, MetaMask will prompt you to create or import your wallet. You will be asked to enter a password if you create a wallet. After that, you will receive a seed phrase consisting of 12 words.
Keep track of your seed phrase, and keep it safe. Without it, your account can’t be reopened.
MetaMask: How to Interact With Dapps and Smart Consents
Once your MetaMask wallet is set up, you can begin exploring and interfacing with DApps. While most DApps will automatically connect to your wallet when you visit the page, some may require manual connections.
Log in to MetaMask, navigate to the settings and search for the button “Link your wallet” or something similar. Follow the steps and you’re good to go.
We’ve provided a list of popular DApps/sites for you to explore with your MetaMask wallet in case you are unfamiliar with crypto and DApps.
NFT Art Marketplaces such as:
- Nifty Gateway – A rare and fine art marketplace featuring works by Beeples and Grimes.
- OpenSea — A popular peer-to-peer cryptocurrency-collectable and NFT market.
- Rarible – The first NFT marketplace that is owned by the crypto community.
Staking Pools and Investments include:
- InstaDApp – A decentralized bank created using the MakerDAO protocol.
- Etherisc – A decentralized insurance protocol that protects your wealth from real-world events such as hurricanes.
- Pool Together is a platform where you can stake your cryptocurrency in a lottery pool and have a chance of winning a large weekly prize.
Crypto-Games that allow you to earn a living, such as:
- Axie Infinity is an NFT-based NFT-based game where your three Axies battle either a computer-controlled opponent or another human player. Axie has more than one million users daily worldwide.
- CryptoBlades is a blockchain-based RPG where your characters and weapons can be NFTs. You earn SKILL tokens by completing challenges within the game.
- Forest Knight is a fantasy game that uses mobile and blockchain gaming to create a unique and entertaining experience. You can play PVP or PVE battles and you can also get items and heroes from NFTs.
Why should you link MetaMask with other blockchains?
You can use tokens and services that are only available by linking your MetaMask wallet with another blockchain.
You can link your MetaMask wallet with the BinanceSmart Chain (BSC) and use all BSC services like Bakery Swipe, Pancake SWAP, and Venus. BNB tokens can be sent and received, as well as any token on the BSC Chain.
To perform transactions on a blockchain, you need a balance of the native token. This is required to pay any fees. To pay for transactions on the Polygon network, you will need Matic tokens. BNB tokens are also required to connect to the BSC.
How to link MetaMask with different blockchains
You can link your MetaMask wallet with another blockchain in two ways:
- To link the new chain to your wallet, use a third party such as Chainlist
- Manually enter the data to link your wallet to the desired chain.
Chainlist is undoubtedly easier than manually connecting your wallet with a new blockchain. You are putting your trust in Chainlist to provide correct data. This is a risk. Many people prefer to manually input the data and link new Blockchains.
Chainlist does not list all available blockchains, so it is worth learning how to manually link a chain with your MetaMask account.
How to use Chainlist for linking your MetaMask wallet to a different blockchain
Chainlist is a third-party website that lists countless Ethereum virtual machines ( EVM), networks to which your MetaMask can be connected.
After you have arrived at the Chainlist homepage you can search for the chain that you wish to link to by using the search bar at the top.
Once you have found the right chain from the search results, click on “Add to MetaMask.”
The MetaMask site will open in your browser and ask you to accept MetaMask’s request to create a network. Once you click yes, the new chain will appear in your wallet.
Click the network tab of your MetaMask wallet to verify that the network has successfully linked. Then, look for the new network under the drop-down menu. You will need to manually link to the network if it does not appear.
How to manually link your MetaMask wallet to different blockchains
No matter what blockchain you wish to link, the process of manually linking different blockchains is the same.
You’ll find a tab at the top of the MetaMask homepage with a small green circle that reads “Ethereum Mainnet.” Click this tab to open a drop-down menu.
The last option is “Custom RPC”. Click it to complete five fields: network name, new RPC URL URL, chain ID, currency symbol, block Explorer URL. While you can choose any name for your network, it is easier to navigate if the name is related to the network.
Here are instructions for manually linking your MetaMask wallet with some of the most popular blockchains. Also, a brief description of each chain.
How to manually link MetaMask and the BSC Testnet
What’s the BSC Testnet?
Developers can use the BSC Testingnet to test DApps in live conditions.
The BSC Testnet is a great first chain to connect your wallet to MetaMask for experimentation with it without having to use any tokens.
After entering the below data into MetaMask, and linking the BSC Testnet wallet to it, go to the BSC Testnet Faucet to receive some test tokens free of charge to your MetaMask account. Simply copy and paste your wallet ID into the box and then click “give me BNB”.
In a matter of seconds, you’ll have a few BNB coins in your wallet.
To manually connect your MetaMask wallet to the BSC Testnet by entering the following data:
- Network Name — Smart chain – Testnet
- New RPC URL — https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.binance.org:8545/
- Chain ID — 97
- BNB is the currency symbol
- Block Explorer URL https://testnet.bscscan.com
How to manually link MetaMask and BSC
What’s the BSC Mainnet?
In September 2020, the BSC Mainnet was made live. Binance uses BSC, a blockchain that was developed and used for its business. It is a popular alternative to Ethereum, but has lower transaction fees.
BSC can be used to trade crypto, build dApps, and use smart contracts, DeFi products, as well as link with other blockchains.
The BSC should not be confused with Binance Chain. It launched in April 2019. The BSC is a companion to the Binance Chain but has additional functionality for smart contracts as well as compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine(EVM).
To manually connect your MetaMask wallet to the BSC Mainnet by entering the following data into the required fields:
- Name of the Network — BSC Smart chain
- New RPC URL — https://bsc-dataseed.binance.org/
- Chain ID — 56
- BNB is the currency symbol
- Block Explorer URL — https://bscscan.com
How to manually link MetaMask and AVAX
What’s AVAX?
Avalanche or AVAX is a platform to develop DApps. AVAX claims it is the fastest smart contract platform in the world with more validators to secure its network activity than any other PoS protocol.
AVAX can be used to create low-cost DApps and customized blockchains. You can also stake your AVAX in order to process transactions from other users and keep the platform safe.
Avalanche is being used by many big crypto companies like Chainlink, Securitize, and others. Avalanche hopes one day to overtake Ethereum as the preferred smart contract platform.
To manually connect your MetaMask wallet to Avalanche by hand, enter the following data in the required fields:
- Network Name — Avalanche Network
- New RPC URL — https://api.avax.network/ext/bc/C/rpc
- Chain ID — 0xa86a
- Currency symbol — AVAX
- Block Explorer URL — https://cchain.explorer.avax.network/
How to manually link MetaMask and Polygon
What’s Polygon?
Polygon was previously known as MATIC. It is a scaling solution for blockchain that aims to increase global adoption of the Ethereum network. The Polygon network is low in gas fees and latency with incredibly fast transaction times.
Polygon provides layer-2 sidechains, which run parallel to the main Ethereum Blockchain. This helps to increase Ethereum’s size as well as efficiency.
By linking your MetaMask wallet with Polygon, you can connect to and interact DApps on Polygon’s network like SushiSwap and Aave .
To manually connect your MetaMask wallet to Polygon, enter the following data in the required fields:
- Polygon — Network Name
- New RPC URL — https://rpc-mainnet.matic.network
- Chain ID — 137
- MATIC — Currency Symbol
- Block Explorer URL — https://polygonscan.com
How to Manually link MetaMask and Harmony
What’s Harmony?
Harmony seeks to remove the structural barriers that prevent the public from adopting cryptocurrencies for digital money.
Harmony uses shards to process multiple transactions at once, where other chains would rather sacrifice security and speed to meet their performance targets.
Harmony can run Ethereum applications but with up 100 times lower gas costs. Harmony works with Ethereum wallets without the need to install or modify any code.
To manually connect your MetaMask wallet to Harmony, enter the following data in the required fields:
- Network Name — Harmony Mainnet
- New RPC URL — https://api.harmony.one
- Chain ID — 1666600000
- Currency symbol — ONE
- Block Explorer URL — https://explorer.harmony.one/
There are four RPC URLs. Harmony recommends that you use the RPC URL for Shard 0 if your goal is to send/receive transactions from exchanges or any other type of staking transaction.
How to Manually link MetaMask and Fantom
What’s Fantom Opera?
Fantom provides a platform that allows you to deploy DApps. It is open-source and decentralized. It offers fast transaction speeds and low costs.
FTM can also be used with the EVM. Developers can now create and execute smart contracts on Ethereum, but with a faster consensus mechanism.
FTM is based on the PoS consensus mechanism. FTM can generate between 4.20% to 12.85% APR depending upon how many tokens and how long you stake them. For a more precise estimate of staking rewards, you can use the Fantom Staking Calculator.
Enter the following data in the required fields to manually link your MetaMask account with Fantom:
- Network Name — Fantom Opera Network
- New RPC URL — https://rpcapi.fantom.network
- Chain ID — 250
- Currency Symbol — FTM
- Block Explorer URL — https://ftmscan.com
How to manually link MetaMask and Expanse
What’s the Expanse Network?
The Expanse Network is an open-source network that supports smart contracts and can be used with DApps. Expanse uses the EVM modified to execute smart contracts.
The longest-lasting Ethereum fork is Expanse. This platform is a standalone blockchain that relies on PoW to process transactions.
VoteLock is one of the most popular DApps on the Expanse network. It is a private, secure, and encrypted blockchain-based evoting system.
To manually connect your MetaMask wallet to the Expanse Network by entering the following data in the required fields:
- Network Name — Expanse Network
- New RPC URL — https://node.expanse.tech
- Chain ID — 2
- Currency symbol — EXP
- Block Explorer URL — https://expanse.tech
How to manually link MetaMask and EOS
What’s EOS?
EOS is an Ethereum blockchain designed to allow DApps to run as smoothly as possible. This platform is designed to address the issues that Ethereum has faced in the past, which led to performance problems for many users.
EOS was originally built on Ethereum but it has now been split to create a separate Mainnet. Through the sale of 1,000,000 EOS tokens, the EOS ICO raised a staggering $4B.
EOS does not charge users for sending and receiving currency, unlike other Ethereum competitors. EOS is popular among developers because they can create DApps with languages such as C++ or Python.
To manually connect your MetaMask wallet to EOS, enter the following data in the required fields:
- EOS – Network Name
- New RPC URL — https://api.eosargentina.io
- Chain ID — 59
- Currency Symbol — EOS
- Block Explorer URL — https://bloks.eosargentina.io
