MetaMask, the most-used Ethereum wallet, is working to integrate native bitcoin (BTC), according to two people familiar with the matter.Access could arrive within the next month, one person said, while another said functionality is not yet set in stone, but features could initially be limited and expanded over time.
As a long-time crypto investor and avid user of MetaMask, I’m thrilled to hear about the wallet’s plans to integrate native Bitcoin support. MetaMask is already an indispensable tool for millions of users navigating Ethereum’s decentralized applications (dApps) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and expanding its reach to Bitcoin is a significant step forward in the crypto world.MetaMask holds a prominent position in the Ethereum (ETH) community as the most widely adopted digital wallet. It is primed to bridge one of the significant gaps separating various cryptocurrency factions by incorporating support for Bitcoin (BTC), according to two reliable sources with firsthand information.

One person has predicted that MetaMask may incorporate access within the upcoming month, although the precise date is undetermined. Regarding Bitcoin functionality, another person noted that while specifics are still under development, initial capabilities might be released first with potential expansions following.

As a crypto investor, I can tell you that MetaMask’s Ethereum wallet serves as my entry point to the vibrant world of Web3, with over 30 million monthly active users. When Ethereum first emerged nearly a decade ago, it broadened the horizons of what a blockchain was capable of achieving, going beyond Bitcoin’s pioneering work by introducing support for smart contracts. In simpler terms, I can create and run software applications directly on the Ethereum blockchain itself. This innovation paved the way for decentralized applications (dApps) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which have revolutionized digital art, gaming, and collectibles.

As a crypto investor, I can tell you that MetaMask has been my go-to tool for managing my digital assets in the Ethereum blockchain world. Recently, Bitcoin has introduced similar functionality with Ordinals and Runes, allowing the creation of NFT-like tokens and potentially meme coins. However, it’s uncertain if using MetaMask will make it easier for me to navigate these new Bitcoin enhancements.

MetaMask is developed by Consensys, a company led by Ethereum co-founder Joe Lubin that focuses on Ethereum research and development. In response to inquiries about future plans, a MetaMask representative shared the following statement via email: “We’re thrilled about MetaMask’s dedication to adapting to the multichain landscape of web3 and continually enhancing the user experience and security of the leading self-custodial wallet. Although we cannot yet disclose specific release dates for new features, we are constantly exploring innovative solutions to meet the needs of our users more effectively. Keep an eye out for future announcements when we’re prepared to reveal more details.”

As a token analyst, I can explain that although MetaMask doesn’t provide direct Bitcoin functionality at the moment, it leverages an Ethereum-compatible ERC-20 token called Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) to enable Bitcoin’s integration with Ethereum’s decentralized applications.

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2024-05-22 18:43