MetaMask’s Ambitious Plan to Unify Crypto Wallets Across Blockchains
For years, MetaMask has been the go-to gateway to Ethereum, with its browser extension becoming synonymous with the phrase “Connect Wallet” for millions of users. Now, Consensys, the company behind MetaMask, is aiming to take this success to the next level by expanding its support to other blockchains, starting with Solana. In May, MetaMask introduced native Solana support, allowing its 30 million monthly active users to manage SOL and SPL tokens without needing to install a separate Solana-first wallet like Phantom.
This move marks a significant shift in the crypto wallet landscape, as MetaMask is poised to become the first primary wallet to natively support Ethereum, Solana, and eventually Bitcoin. Historically, these ecosystems have required separate apps, seed phrases, and mental models, making it cumbersome for users to navigate multiple chains. By integrating support for these blockchains, MetaMask is betting on a unified user experience that will simplify the process of interacting with different crypto ecosystems.
The Rise of Multichain Wallets
The timing of MetaMask’s Solana integration is noteworthy, given the growing popularity of the Solana ecosystem. According to Artemis data from June, Solana’s monthly active addresses were equal to those of all other Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks combined. This surge in activity has created an awkward dynamic for MetaMask, as the wallet with the most distribution was missing the chain with the highest activity. Phantom, the Solana-based incumbent with 15 million monthly active users and $25 billion in user assets, had already taken the opposite step, adding support for Ethereum and Bitcoin during 2024.
MetaMask’s response is to propose a unified portfolio view of Ethereum and Solana, with swaps and bridges built directly into the interface. Users can import existing Solana wallets with the same recovery secret phrase that applies to their Ethereum keys, consolidating the former multi-app juggling act into a single session. When Bitcoin support arrives, users will be able to manage all three chains from a single interface, using a single recovery phrase to control secp256k1 keys for EVM chains, ed25519 keys for Solana, and Bitcoin’s key derivation.
Security Concerns and Account Abstraction
While the convenience of a multichain wallet is undeniable, the risks associated with a single seed phrase controlling multiple chains cannot be ignored. A compromised backup leaves every chain open to attack at the same time. Consensys has published security guidelines around the multichain model, but the trade-off remains: blast radius versus ease of use. To mitigate these risks, Consensys is combining the multichain rollout with its Delegation Toolkit and the upcoming EIP-7702 standard in Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade.
These tools enable gas sponsorship, transaction batching, and session-style permissions, which form the software layer that allows wallets to completely hide seed phrases and execute multi-step operations without repeated approvals. The result is so-called “invisible wallets,” where users interact with apps without ever thinking about keys, gas, or chain IDs. However, EIP-7702 also opens up new opportunities for phishing, and MetaMask’s security warnings and how aggressively it displays delegate permissions warnings will be crucial in protecting users.
Distribution and Ecosystem Influence
Wallet interfaces have become the new homepage, and when MetaMask displays Solana dApps, stablecoin bridges, and memecoin swaps in the default view, millions of EVM native users will try Solana not because they explored the ecosystem, but because the path of least friction led them there. The same logic applies to Bitcoin, with a native Bitcoin tab in MetaMask allowing Ethereum and Solana users to experiment with Bitcoin-based collectibles or Lightning payments without switching context.
The strategic question is whether distribution alone can change the gravity of the ecosystem. MetaMask’s 30 million MAUs dwarf Phantom’s 15 million, but Phantom has a strong presence among Solana users and has spent years building tools around NFTs, token launches, and social discovery. If MetaMask converts even 10 to 18% of its user base into active cross-chain participants within the first few weeks, that could mean several million people suddenly browsing Solana dApps from an Ethereum wallet.
Regulatory Uncertainty and the Super App Endgame
The SEC’s lawsuit against Consensys in June 2024, alleging that MetaMask swaps and staking features generated over $250 million in fees without proper broker registration, adds uncertainty to any product expansion. Every new chain, swap route, and revenue stream invites new scrutiny, and MetaMask must navigate this regulatory landscape while pursuing its ambitious plans. OKX Wallet and Coinbase Smart Wallet have taken different approaches, with OKX supporting over 100 chains and smart account features, and Coinbase focusing on passwordless operations and embedded wallets.
MetaMask sits in the middle, too visible to escape regulation, too decentralized to transition to a fully custodial model, and too large to ignore the chains where users actually spend time. The multichain push is as much about survival as it is about ambition, and if wallet market share becomes an indicator of ecosystem influence, then the wallet that spans the most chains with the least friction controls where the next cohort of users land. Read more about MetaMask’s plans to integrate Bitcoin and its implications for the crypto wallet landscape at https://cryptoslate.com/bitcoin-in-metamask-why-you-should-put-all-your-crypto-eggs-in-one-basket/
