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MetaMask
MetaMask
MetaMask
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MetaMask
DeveloperConsensys
Initial release2016; 9 years ago (2016)
Repository
Operating systemiOS
Android
PlatformBrowser extension
Mobile app
TypeCryptocurrency wallet
LicenseProprietary
Websitemetamask.io

MetaMask is a software cryptocurrency wallet used to interact with the Ethereum blockchain. It allows a user to access their Ethereum wallet through a browser extension or mobile app, which can then be used to interact with decentralized applications.[1][2] MetaMask is developed by Consensys, a blockchain software company focusing on Ethereum-based tools and infrastructure.[3][4]

Overview

[edit]

MetaMask allows users to store and manage account keys, broadcast transactions, send and receive Ethereum-based cryptocurrencies and tokens, and securely connect to decentralized applications through a compatible web browser or the mobile app's built-in browser.[5][6]

Websites or other decentralized applications are able to connect, authenticate, and/or integrate other smart contract functionality with a user's MetaMask wallet (and any other similar blockchain wallet browser extensions) via JavaScript code that allows the website to send action prompts, signature requests, or transaction requests to the user through MetaMask as an intermediary.[7]

The application includes an integrated service for exchanging Ethereum tokens by aggregating several decentralized exchanges (DEXs) to find the best exchange rate. This feature, branded as MetaMask Swaps, charges a service fee of 0.875% of the transaction amount.[8]

As of November 2021, MetaMask's browser extension had over 21 million monthly active users, according to Bloomberg.[9]

History

[edit]

MetaMask was created by Consensys in 2016 as MIT-licensed open source software.[3][10]

Prior to 2019, MetaMask had only been available as a desktop browser extension for Google Chrome and Firefox browsers. Given the popularity of MetaMask among cryptocurrency users, and its lack of an official mobile app for several years, instances of malicious software posing as MetaMask became problematic for Google in regulating its Chrome Web Store and Google Play platforms.[11][12][13] In one instance, Google Play unintentionally removed MetaMask's official beta app before reverting the decision a week later on January 1, 2020.[14]

Starting in 2019, MetaMask began releasing mobile app versions for closed beta testing, followed by their official public release for iOS and Android in September 2020.[2][5]

In August 2020, Consensys took the MetaMask software proprietary under a custom license.[10][clarification needed]

During October 2020, MetaMask Swaps, a built-in DEX aggregation service was added to the desktop extension.[clarification needed] The product became available on mobile devices in March 2021.[8]

Criticism

[edit]

While MetaMask and other "Web3" focused applications claim to decentralize control over personal data and increase user privacy, critics have pointed to the default setting in MetaMask's browser extension that leaks identifiable information to data collection networks and web trackers as a fundamental privacy flaw.[3][15] Also, though the technology is touted as "decentralized", it actually uses a centralized service, now owned by Consensys, to accomplish all of its transactions.[16]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

MetaMask

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
MetaMask is a self-custodial software designed for interacting with and EVM-compatible , as well as select non-EVM chains such as Solana, but it does not offer native support for holding Bitcoin (BTC) on the Bitcoin blockchain. There are no official announcements, roadmaps, or reliable sources indicating that native Bitcoin support will be added by 2026. Limited interactions with Bitcoin assets (e.g., via Snaps for Ordinals or third-party extensions) exist, but these do not enable native BTC holding on the Bitcoin blockchain. It functions primarily as a and mobile application that manages users' private keys to enable access to decentralized applications (dApps), token transactions, and networks. Developed by and launched in 2016 by founders Dan Finlay and Aaron Davis, it originated as a tool to simplify interactions via web browsers, evolving to support features like multi-chain compatibility, including Solana, and integrated services such as crypto purchases and spending via the MetaMask Card. With over 30 million monthly active users as of 2024, MetaMask has become one of the most widely adopted entry points for participation, facilitating activities in (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and broader ecosystems while emphasizing user control over assets without reliance on centralized custodians. Its open architecture allows seamless connections to dApps, but this exposure has led to notable security challenges, primarily from user-targeted , social engineering, and browser vulnerabilities rather than core protocol flaws, prompting ongoing enhancements like transaction simulations and detection integrations. Despite these risks, which stem from the inherent openness of interfaces, MetaMask's design prioritizes non-custodial , distinguishing it from exchange-held wallets and aligning with principles of decentralized autonomy.

Overview

Description and Core Purpose

MetaMask is a non-custodial software that enables users to manage assets on and compatible blockchains through a self-controlled interface for private keys. As a key to , it facilitates direct interaction with decentralized applications (dApps) by injecting an Ethereum provider into web browsers, allowing seamless bridging between traditional web environments and networks. The wallet's core purpose centers on user sovereignty over digital assets, including storage of ERC-20 fungible tokens and ERC-721 non-fungible tokens (NFTs), as well as signing and broadcasting transactions without intermediary custody. Initially released as a in 2016 for platforms like Chrome and , it prioritizes where users generate and retain control of their seed phrases and private keys locally, eschewing any server-side storage by the provider. This non-custodial design contrasts sharply with centralized exchanges, where third parties hold private keys and assets, exposing users to counterparty risks such as hacks or ; in MetaMask, users alone bear responsibility for key security, aligning with blockchain's emphasis on . Mobile applications for and Android, introduced in 2020, extended these capabilities to handheld devices while preserving the same user-exclusive access model.

Role in the Web3 Ecosystem

MetaMask functions as a foundational gateway in the Web3 ecosystem, bridging traditional web users to decentralized applications (dApps), decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, and non-fungible token (NFT) markets by enabling self-custodial interactions that bypass centralized custodians. This intermediary-free access allows individuals to manage Ethereum-based assets and execute peer-to-peer transactions directly from browser extensions or mobile apps, abstracting underlying blockchain complexities like node synchronization and cryptographic key handling. Central to its ecosystem role is adherence to EIP-1193, which standardizes the API for Ethereum provider interactions, positioning MetaMask as the interface for Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible chains such as , , and Linea. Developers building dApps routinely target this protocol for wallet-browser connectivity, as it supports essential functions like account access, chain switching, and transaction signing, thereby streamlining integration and expanding reach across EVM networks. By mid-2025, MetaMask facilitated engagement for over 30 million monthly active users in activities, empirically correlating with surges in DeFi total value locked (TVL) and NFT trading volumes through reduced onboarding friction for non-experts. This accessibility has driven broader adoption of token swaps, lending, and digital collectible transactions, reinforcing 's shift toward user-sovereign financial and ownership models without third-party gatekeeping.

Historical Development

Founding and Initial Launch

MetaMask was developed starting in 2015 by Aaron Davis and Dan Finlay, who were employees at ConsenSys, a blockchain software firm established by Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin. The initiative emerged amid Ethereum's mainnet launch earlier that year, addressing the steep learning curve of interacting with the network through command-line interfaces like Geth, which required technical expertise for key management and transaction signing. Davis and Finlay, drawing from their prior collaboration since 2013 and experiences in web and software development, sought to create a browser extension that would enable seamless access to Ethereum's decentralized applications (dApps) for broader adoption. The project's core motivation stemmed from Ethereum's promise of empowering users through tools for , micropayments, and modular governance, countering centralized systems amid rising concerns over social and . Unlike hardware-dependent or node-running alternatives, MetaMask was designed as a lightweight, self-custodial key manager integrated directly into browsers, prioritizing ease of use without sacrificing security fundamentals. Initial development was internally supported by , reflecting the company's focus on ecosystem tools rather than external venture funding at the outset. In , MetaMask launched its public beta as a Chrome , licensed under the permissive MIT open-source terms to encourage community-driven enhancements from inception. This release marked the tool's debut as an injectable provider for interactions, rapidly gaining traction among developers building on Ethereum's nascent dApp landscape.

Key Milestones and Growth Phases

In its early growth phase from 2017 to 2018, MetaMask enhanced scalability by integrating with Infura for reliable RPC endpoint access, reducing reliance on local nodes and enabling broader dApp interactions amid rising network demands. The wallet also introduced support for hardware wallets, including devices, allowing users to connect cold storage for improved security during transactions and key management. The period from 2020 to 2021 marked explosive user adoption, driven by the DeFi and NFT surges, with monthly active users () expanding from approximately 545,000 in July 2020 to over 10 million by August 2021—a roughly 1,800% increase. This growth coincided with the launch of the MetaMask in September 2020, initially for Android with following, extending functionality to smartphones and facilitating on-the-go access to Ethereum-based applications. From 2022 to 2023, MetaMask targeted institutional users with the launch of MetaMask Institutional in December 2020, evolving into a dedicated platform by early 2022 that provided enterprise-grade DeFi access, portfolio dashboards, and compliance tools. The introduction of the ecosystem in September 2023 enabled developers to create custom extensions for enhanced wallet customization, such as non-EVM chain interactions and novel features, fostering an open plugin architecture. Concurrently, expansions in multi-chain support beyond included easier integration of EVM-compatible networks like and Binance Smart Chain via custom RPC configurations, broadening utility for cross-chain DeFi and dApps.

Recent Innovations and Updates

In 2024, MetaMask rolled out Smart Transactions, a feature that abstracts complex swapping and bridging processes while optimizing gas fees, enabled by default for new users to streamline cross-chain interactions and reduce friction in activities. That year, the wallet also began issuing monthly security reports detailing emerging threats such as variants, attacks, and trends, drawing from incident analyses to guide user protections. These reports, starting from June 2024, highlighted integrations like LavaMoat, a compartmentalization tool that restricts dependency access to mitigate vulnerabilities in the extension's codebase. On July 8, 2025, MetaMask added native Solana support through its , enabling direct management of SOL and SPL tokens alongside Ethereum assets without requiring separate wallets or bridges. This expansion broadened compatibility to non-EVM chains, facilitating seamless transactions on Solana's high-throughput network. In June 2025, acquired Web3Auth, integrating its authentication protocols into MetaMask to allow wallet creation and recovery via familiar web2 methods like social logins and email, reducing onboarding barriers while maintaining self-custody. On August 21, 2025, MetaMask launched , its first native , issued by Stripe's Bridge platform and backed by short-term US Treasuries via the protocol, with a 1:1 peg to the US dollar and initial deployment on and Linea. This innovation positions mUSD as an on-ramp for fiat-equivalent assets directly within the , minimizing reliance on external issuers for DeFi . In October 2025, MetaMask announced a $30 million rewards program allocating LINEA tokens quarterly for activities like referrals, mUSD usage, and trading, aimed at boosting ecosystem engagement. ConsenSys confirmed in September 2025 that a for MetaMask is in development, intended to decentralize platform decisions and provide user incentives, with a potential launch by year-end to align with ongoing rewards initiatives. These updates reflect MetaMask's shift toward enhanced , security tooling, and incentive mechanisms amid expanding adoption.

Technical Architecture

Underlying Mechanisms

MetaMask functions as a hierarchical deterministic (HD) wallet, utilizing the BIP-39 standard to generate a 12- or 24-word mnemonic seed phrase, from which a master seed is derived via PBKDF2 hashing with HMAC-SHA512. Private keys for Ethereum accounts are then generated deterministically using the BIP-44 derivation path m/44'/60'/0'/0, ensuring compatibility across HD wallet implementations. MetaMask stores an encrypted vault locally in the browser or device storage, where these private keys are encrypted client-side with a user-derived password using scrypt or similar key derivation functions and are not stored on MetaMask servers, emphasizing its non-custodial nature. They are stored in the browser's storage mechanism, such as Chrome's Local Storage under the extension's domain. In mobile applications, private keys are managed within the device's hardware-backed secure storage, such as Android's Keystore or /Secure Enclave, to isolate them from the app's runtime environment and resist extraction attempts. This local ensures that MetaMask retains sole control over signing operations without relying on remote servers for or custody. As an provider, MetaMask injects a object into the browser's global scope as window.ethereum, implementing the Provider to expose methods like eth_requestAccounts for connection and eth_sendTransaction for initiating transfers. This injection occurs automatically upon extension installation and page load, allowing dApps to interface with the without embedding logic. Requests are proxied to RPC endpoints for chain state queries and transaction broadcasting, defaulting to Infura's infrastructure but configurable to alternatives like for redundancy or custom needs. Transaction handling emphasizes offline signing: upon dApp submission of an unsigned transaction object, MetaMask derives the relevant private key locally, constructs and signs the raw transaction using ECDSA over secp256k1, and performs —often via libraries like ethers.js—to estimate gas costs and outcomes without network submission. The signed transaction is then forwarded solely to the RPC endpoint for propagation to the network, minimizing exposure risks by keeping keys confined to the client device.

Network Compatibility and Integrations

MetaMask initially focused on Ethereum and Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible networks, providing native support for chains such as mainnet, , Binance Smart Chain (now BNB Chain), , , and Base, among others. This compatibility allows users to configure custom RPC endpoints for additional EVM-based blockchains, enabling interaction without requiring chain-specific wallets. In 2025, MetaMask expanded beyond EVM exclusivity by integrating native support for non-EVM networks, including Solana, which became accessible via the on July 8, 2025. This update permits management of SOL and SPL tokens alongside EVM assets through multichain accounts, a feature introduced on October 9, 2025, to unify views across disparate ecosystems. Such extensions, often powered by technology, facilitate broader interoperability while maintaining core EVM foundations. However, MetaMask does not provide native support for Bitcoin (BTC), as it is primarily an Ethereum/EVM wallet with select non-EVM integrations like Solana. As of 2026, there are no official announcements, roadmaps, or reliable sources indicating that native Bitcoin support will be added by 2026. Limited interactions with Bitcoin assets (e.g., via Snaps for Ordinals or third-party extensions) exist, but these do not enable native BTC holding on the Bitcoin blockchain. The MetaMask SDK supports dApp developers by enabling secure, cross-platform connections to the wallet across web browsers, mobile applications, and embedded environments, streamlining integration for high-volume decentralized applications. This toolkit handles provider detection, transaction signing, and chain switching, reducing development friction for multi-chain experiences. MetaMask integrates with node infrastructure providers like Infura, its parent company ConsenSys's RPC service, as the default Ethereum endpoint to ensure reliable blockchain access. To mitigate centralization risks from such dependencies, it supports user-configurable RPCs from alternative providers. Additionally, compatibility with hardware wallets including Trezor and Ledger allows secure key storage and signing, distributing trust away from software-only solutions. These integrations enhance resilience by avoiding sole reliance on any single service or device type.

Features and Functionality

Essential Wallet Capabilities

MetaMask enables secure storage of digital assets by generating and managing Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible wallet addresses derived from a hierarchical deterministic (HD) private key structure, supporting compliant with ERC-20 for fungible assets, ERC-721 for non-fungible (NFTs), and ERC-1155 for multi-token standards. MetaMask's essential wallet capabilities include managing assets from supported chains such as EVM-compatible networks and non-EVM chains like Solana via MetaMask Snaps, but exclude native holding of Bitcoin (BTC) on the Bitcoin blockchain. Users view account balances by initiating calls, such as eth_getBalance for native and contract-specific balanceOf queries for , against connected nodes or providers like Infura, with optional verification through public chain explorers like Etherscan. The wallet facilitates basic interactions through transaction composition, signing, and broadcasting: users initiate sends by specifying recipient addresses, amounts, and payloads, which MetaMask signs using the ECDSA private key without exposing it, then submits via RPC methods like eth_sendRawTransaction. Receiving assets requires only sharing the public address, as incoming transfers are validated on-chain. incorporates EIP-1559 parameters, calculating a network-determined base fee plus user-set priority fees (maxPriorityFeePerGas) to determine total transaction costs, enhancing fee predictability post-Ethereum's upgrade in August 2021. Recovery and portability rely on a BIP-39-derived mnemonic seed , typically 12 words for standard MetaMask wallets (with support for 24-word phrases from compatible hardware or legacy setups), which hierarchically generates all accounts and private keys. Users can export this phrase for manual or it into other BIP-39-compliant wallets, ensuring while restoring full access to derived addresses and assets upon re-derivation.

Advanced User Tools

MetaMask provides built-in token swaps through its Swaps feature, which aggregates liquidity from decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and protocols including 1inch to offer competitive rates and minimize slippage. This allows users to exchange cryptocurrencies directly within the interface without relying on external dApps, supporting cross-chain operations where available. MetaMask includes a Sell feature that enables users to convert cryptocurrencies to fiat currency via integrated third-party providers, with options to withdraw to bank accounts or other methods. This functionality is available only in supported regions due to restrictions from regional regulations and providers, and is not universally accessible. The MetaMask Portfolio dashboard enables advanced multi-asset tracking by aggregating tokens, NFTs, and transaction history across multiple accounts and networks in a unified view. Users can monitor balances, hide suspicious or unwanted assets, and manage NFT collections via an integrated gallery that displays metadata and flags potential risks based on data from NFT providers. The framework offers modular extensions for customizing wallet behavior, such as adding support for bespoke networks, alternative account types, or specialized APIs for protocols like IPFS bridging. Developers can build and deploy these permissioned mini-applications to enhance functionality without altering MetaMask's core code, with examples including automated notifications and custom transaction interfaces. On mobile devices, MetaMask supports biometric authentication via or face recognition for secure unlocking, alongside push notifications for real-time alerts on activity, transaction approvals, and customizable events like balance changes. These features, integrated into the and Android apps as of 2025, facilitate seamless management while maintaining user control over privacy settings.

Security and Privacy

Implemented Protections

MetaMask stores users' private keys locally on their devices, encrypted using AES-GCM with a derivation key generated via from the user's password, ensuring that keys never leave the device or are custodied on servers. This non-custodial approach delegates signing authority optionally to integrated hardware wallets such as , Trezor, and Keystone, which handle and storage offline to mitigate software-based risks. To counter decentralized application (dApp) risks, MetaMask implements permission revocation tools allowing users to disconnect sites and rescind approvals for token spending or contract interactions directly via its interface or Portfolio dashboard, reducing exposure from over-permissive grants. Additionally, LavaMoat enforces runtime sandboxing of dependencies, isolating potentially malicious code to prevent unauthorized access to wallet APIs or secret exfiltration, with enhancements noted in security reports as of September 2025. The extension's codebase is open-source on , enabling community scrutiny and verification of security implementations. MetaMask undergoes regular third-party audits by Diligence, covering components like plugins and token contracts, with public reports detailing vulnerabilities and mitigations to uphold empirical security standards.

Vulnerabilities and Mitigation Strategies

Phishing attacks represent a primary vector for MetaMask compromises, often involving counterfeit browser extensions or websites mimicking the official interface to trick users into revealing seed phrases or approving malicious transactions. In 2025, such scams have targeted users through fake extensions and deceptive dApps, exploiting human error rather than software flaws. Browser-based vulnerabilities, including DOM-based extension , have also enabled attackers to overlay fraudulent interfaces on legitimate ones, affecting extensions like MetaMask since at least 2025. Seed phrase exposure remains a critical user-induced risk, with MetaMask's June 2025 Security Report indicating that 35% of users fail to adequately back up their secret recovery phrases, leaving wallets susceptible to permanent loss or theft if devices are compromised. This statistic underscores the causal trade-offs of self-custody, where non-custodial designs shift security burdens to individuals, amplifying losses from personal oversights. Empirical data from Chainalysis shows that individual user-targeted attacks accounted for approximately 23% of stolen crypto funds in the first half of 2025, totaling over $2.17 billion industry-wide, predominantly via scams and private key thefts rather than protocol-level exploits. No centralized breaches of MetaMask's core infrastructure have been documented, with reported incidents—such as the 2023 exposure of 7,000 support contact details—limited to peripheral data leaks without direct fund access. To counter these threats, MetaMask has implemented mitigations emphasizing user education and interface safeguards, including in-app alerts for suspicious approvals and prompts for seed phrase verification during setup. Post-2024 updates introduced LavaMoat enhancements for isolating malicious and integration with Web3Auth for simplified, secure recovery options, reducing reliance on manual phrase handling. Experimental intents-based transaction routing, tested since early 2024, abstracts complex approvals by delegating execution to trusted relayers, minimizing direct user exposure to risky dApp interactions while preserving self-custody. In October 2025, MetaMask joined a global defense initiative with wallets like Phantom, leveraging shared threat intelligence to block domains proactively. These measures highlight ongoing efforts to mitigate user-error patterns without altering the decentralized model's inherent responsibilities. In the event of a compromised wallet, particularly when using the MetaMask Card for debit spending, users should avoid importing the old seed phrase into a new wallet to prevent further drainage of funds. Instead, if assets remain safely accessible, transfer them to a new wallet. For existing MetaMask Card holders, a compromised wallet does not impact the card's security, as the card operates independently; users can add the new wallet account to the existing card via the Manage tab in the Portfolio dashboard to enable tokens and set spending limits. If no card exists, users can apply for a new one through portfolio.metamask.io/card by connecting their current wallet, checking eligibility in the Card tab, completing any required KYC process with partner Crypto Life, and selecting a virtual (free) or metal card option, subject to regional restrictions and potential waitlists.

Adoption and Impact

User Base Expansion

MetaMask's monthly active users (MAUs) reached over 5 million by April 2021, surging to more than 10 million by August of that year amid heightened interest in and non-fungible tokens. MetaMask has reported more than 30 million MAUs during peak periods, with figures stabilizing around 30 million by mid-2025, reflecting sustained but moderated growth from the earlier boom. This expansion correlates with over 143 million total users reported globally by 2025, though mobile app downloads on platforms like exceed 10 million. User demographics skew toward retail individuals rather than institutions, with approximately 71% male and 29% female users. Geographically, adoption is prominent in emerging markets, where accounts for 12.7% of users, followed by countries like the , , , , and , drawn by accessible entry to DeFi and NFT markets via Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible networks. Retention remains challenged by user experience hurdles inherent to blockchain interactions, with broader crypto wallet day-30 retention rates hovering at about 18%, indicative of high churn from transaction complexities and volatility. Web3 projects generally see retention drop below 1% after 30 days due to onboarding friction. MetaMask's stickiness persists among active users through network effects in EVM ecosystems, where integrated dApps and liquidity pools encourage repeated engagement despite these barriers.

Ecosystem Contributions and Achievements

MetaMask's development of a browser extension wallet established a foundational bridge between conventional web interfaces and blockchain networks, directly enabling the accessibility of decentralized applications (dApps). This innovation allowed users to interact with Ethereum-based protocols without specialized software, catalyzing the expansion of DeFi ecosystems where total value locked (TVL) exceeded $100 billion by mid-2023 and sustained growth thereafter. Similarly, it underpinned the mainstreaming of NFT marketplaces by simplifying minting, trading, and ownership verification processes for millions of non-technical users. These contributions shifted blockchain usage from developer-centric tools to consumer-grade experiences, with MetaMask handling over 100 million installs as a primary entry point. Through its open-source codebase, MetaMask has influenced Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) and standards promoting account abstraction and interoperability. Features like extend wallet functionality to support EIP-4337-compliant accounts, enabling customizable verification and session keys that enhance user control across chains. The project's repository has facilitated community-driven enhancements, including multi-chain APIs that allow simultaneous interactions with EVM and non-EVM networks, such as integrations with Solana in May 2025 and Sei in August 2025. These efforts have advanced cross-chain standards, reducing fragmentation and supporting broader adoption without compromising self-custody. Additionally, MetaMask has spearheaded Builder Nights, an event series organized by Francesco Andreoli at Consensys, which has hosted events across multiple cities worldwide, gathering over 4,000 builders to discuss infrastructure, MetaMask, wallets, and other web3 topics, fostering collaboration and innovation in the ecosystem. In 2025, MetaMask introduced initiatives like the $30 million rewards program launched on October 6, which distributes LINEA tokens, mUSD incentives, and referral bonuses to boost on-chain activity and on ' Linea network. Complementing this, the August announcement of mUSD—a native, self-custodial —along with multi-chain account unification by late October, addressed scalability critiques by improving transaction efficiency and cross-network . These developments underscore MetaMask's role in iteratively refining , fostering ecosystem , and integrating trading tools like to sustain practical advancements in decentralized infrastructure.

Criticisms and Ongoing Debates

Critics have raised concerns about MetaMask's default reliance on centralized RPC providers like Infura, which logs users' IP addresses and addresses during transactions, potentially enabling off-chain tracking by firms when combined with on-chain . This practice, highlighted in Infura's November 2022 privacy policy update, applies to MetaMask users without custom configurations, though the allows switching to alternative providers to avoid such logging. Proponents counter that users retain control over their node selection, preserving self-sovereignty absent in custodial systems, and MetaMask implemented privacy enhancements in February 2023, including easier RPC customization for new and existing users. Centralization risks stem from MetaMask's historical dependence on Infura, owned by , which has caused widespread outages disrupting wallet functionality and ecosystem access. A November 2020 Infura outage halted MetaMask transactions and dApp interactions for hours, exposing single points of failure in purportedly decentralized tools. Similar disruptions occurred in April 2022 and, more recently, during an October 20, 2025, AWS outage that rendered MetaMask balances unviewable and slowed Layer 2 operations for millions of users. Following such incidents, MetaMask encouraged diversification to other RPC endpoints, reducing but not eliminating Infura's default role. 's ownership of MetaMask has prompted debates, including shareholder demands for audits into founder Joseph Lubin's dealings, questioning whether corporate control undermines the wallet's alignment with ideals. Defenders argue that non-custodial design inherently limits systemic risks compared to centralized exchanges, where hacks like FTX's $8 billion loss in 2022 affected users without private key control. MetaMask has faced scrutiny for facilitating phishing scams, with browser extension vulnerabilities enabling rapid fund drains via malicious redirects or fake approvals, contributing to over $400 million in phishing losses across wallets in the first half of 2025 alone. Drainer attacks, often targeting MetaMask users through deceptive dApps or emails mimicking alerts, accounted for roughly $538 million stolen by September 30, 2025, per CertiK data. Critics attribute this to design flaws, such as inadequate built-in protections against common tactics like urgent verification prompts, which exploit user inexperience rather than enforcing stricter transaction confirmations. In response, MetaMask joined initiatives like a October 2025 real-time defense network with other , sharing blocklists to preempt threats. The debate centers on whether such losses reflect a user education shortfall—emphasizing personal responsibility for seed phrase security and transaction verification—or inherent shortcomings in an where scams thrive due to pseudonymity. Empirical evidence favors the former, as MetaMask's non-custodial model exposes transparently on-chain, allowing recovery attempts unavailable in opaque systems, where annual exceeds $5 billion yet remains less visible to victims.

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