MetaMask

MetaMask launched in 2016 as a browser extension for Firefox and Chrome, quickly becoming the standard interface for interacting with Ethereum. It operates as a non-custodial wallet, meaning you keep full control of your private keys on your own device rather than handing them over to a third party. This design choice defines the user experience: you are responsible for your seed phrase, and if you lose it, there is no customer support team to recover your funds.

The ecosystem expanded rapidly beyond just desktop extensions. Mobile apps for iOS and Android now let users manage assets on the go, while the platform supports multiple networks like Polygon, Arbitrum, and Optimism. By early 2026, MetaMask counted over 100 million active users globally, making it one of the most widely used pieces of Web3 infrastructure in existence.

In mid-2026, the product broke its historical exclusivity to Ethereum-compatible chains by adding native Bitcoin support. This move allowed users to hold BTC directly within the same interface they use for ETH tokens. Recent updates also include the Gas Station feature, which lets people pay network fees using stablecoins like USDC instead of requiring native ether, and a self-custody Mastercard debit card available across all 50 U.S. states. [edit]