TL;DR
MetaMask is a cryptocurrency wallet that can be downloaded on Chrome and Firefox as a browser extension or as an app for iOS and Android devices. It allows users to store and transact cryptocurrencies through a simple interface.
MetaMask allows users to interact with DeFi ecosystems on Ethereum and other blockchain networks such as Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, and Avalanche. In this guide, you will learn how to connect your MetaMask to the Avalanche network.
If you are already using the Avalanche network, please note that only the C-Chain wallet is compatible with MetaMask. Therefore, to transfer AVAX from your Avalanche wallet, your tokens need to be in your C-Chain wallet. It is also possible to transfer your AVAX to MetaMask using the wallet of a broker/exchange that has already integrated C-Chain, such as Binance.
Introduction
To interact with the Avalanche blockchain and DApps, you need a compatible cryptocurrency wallet like MetaMask. But before using Avalanche tokens on MetaMask, you need to add the Avalanche network to your wallet. In this guide, you will learn how to do this.
How to configure MetaMask?
If you already have a MetaMask wallet, go to the next section and see how to connect your wallet to Avalanche and add AVAX tokens. If you don't already have a MetaMask wallet, follow these steps to set it up.
1. Download and install MetaMask on Chrome, iOS or Android from the official MetaMask website. Before downloading the extension, confirm that you are visiting the official website.
2. After installation, you will see the MetaMask fox on the welcome screen. Click [Start].
3. Click [Create a Wallet] to create your MetaMask wallet or [Import wallet] to import an old wallet using your seed phrase.
4. The app will ask if you want to share anonymous usage data with MetaMask to help improve the extension. Regardless of your choice, it will not affect your use of MetaMask.
5. Now create a secure password for your wallet.
6. Before you begin, make a backup of your wallet seed phrase. The seed phrase is necessary to recover your wallet if you lose access to your device or forget your password. If you are not familiar with how a cryptocurrency wallet works, watch the video and read the information. When you are ready, click [Next].
7. You will then receive your seed phrase. Click to reveal the words and write them down in the correct order. You should keep your seed phrase in safe offline locations and never share it with anyone.
8. To ensure that you have backed up the seed phrase correctly, you need to repeat it. Select the words displayed at the bottom in the correct order. Click [Confirm] to proceed.
9. Your MetaMask wallet is ready to use. Click [All Ready] to access your wallet.
10. For easy access, you can pin your MetaMask wallet to your Chrome browser. To pin it to the toolbar, click the puzzle icon and then the pin icon next to [MetaMask].
How to connect Avalanche to MetaMask?
By default, the MetaMask wallet is connected to the Ethereum mainnet (Ethereum mainnet). To add Avalanche to your wallet, you need to add your network details to the extension.
1. Open your wallet extension and click on the networks menu.
2. Click [Add Network].
3. You will be redirected to the [Add Network] page. Copy and paste the details below and click [Save].
4. Now your MetaMask wallet is connected to the Avalanche network.
How to send AVAX tokens to MetaMask?
After connecting the Avalanche network, you can send your Avalanche tokens (AVAX) from another Avalanche wallet to MetaMask.
Existem 3 blockchains na rede Avalanche: Exchange Chain (X-Chain), Contract Chain (C-Chain) e Platform Chain (P-Chain).
Please note that only C-Chain is compatible with MetaMask. In other words, it is only possible to send AVAX to your MetaMask through C-Chain. Take care! If you select the wrong blockchain, you may lose your tokens.
1. Log in to your Avalanche wallet and under the [Balance] section, check where your AVAX tokens are.
If your AVAX tokens are in your X-Chain wallet, before sending them to MetaMask, you must transfer them to your C-Chain wallet.
1.1. Click [Cross Chain] in the left menu.
1.2. Select [C-Chain] as the target blockchain. Then enter the amount you want to transfer from your X-Chain wallet and click [Confirm]. Note that you will pay a small transaction fee.
2. In the left menu bar, select [Send].
3. Select [C] as the source blockchain. Enter the amount you want to send to MetaMask.
4. Now copy the address into your MetaMask wallet.
5. Go back to your Avalanche wallet, find the [Destination Address] field and paste your MetaMask wallet address. Check the Gas rate and click [Confirm] to transfer. Once the transaction is confirmed, you will see the AVAX balance in your MetaMask wallet.
How to send AVAX tokens to MetaMask from Binance?
It is also possible to send AVAX from the Binance exchange to MetaMask.
1. Log in to your Binance account and go to [Wallet Overview]. Click [Withdraw].
2. Select [AVAX].
3. Access your MetaMask and copy the address.
4. Now go back to Binance and paste the MetaMask address into the [Address] field. Then select the network and enter the transfer amount. Make sure you select a supported network or you may lose your assets. Click [Withdraw] to proceed.
5. Before proceeding, confirm that you understand the risks associated with asset withdrawals. Read it, check the box and click [Confirm].
6. A new window (pop-up) will appear with the withdrawal details. Check the details carefully before proceeding.
7. Next, you must confirm your transfer using 2FA authentication on the corresponding devices. Click [Send] and your AVAX tokens will be sent to the MetaMask wallet.
Final considerations
Although MetaMask was initially developed for Ethereum, you can now use it on several blockchain networks, including Avalanche, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, and others. Learning how to add networks manually allows you to explore various DeFi platforms and DApps from each blockchain ecosystem, such as PancakeSwap, Uniswap, SushiSwap, and OpenSea.