MetaMask
Consensys
MetaMask is the most widely used self-custody wallet for the Ethereum and EVM ecosystem: a non-custodial browser extension and mobile app where private keys stay on the user's device, protected by a 12-word seed phrase. It includes swaps, staking, a dApp browser and WalletConnect, and supports pairing with hardware wallets such as Ledger and Trezor. Its main weakness is privacy: by default the RPC provider (Consensys' Infura) can see the IP address tied to requests.
Data & conditions
| Fund custody | Self-custody (funds in your control) |
|---|---|
| Type | Software (hot wallet) |
| Source code | Partly open-source |
| Recovery | Seed phrase 12 parole (BIP-39) |
| Bitcoin-only | No |
| Supported chains | Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, BNB Chain, Avalanche, Linea |
| Built-in swap | Yes |
| Built-in staking | Yes |
| dApp browser | Yes |
| WalletConnect | Yes |
| Hardware wallet support | Yes |
| Built-in fiat on-ramp | Yes |
| Security audits | Cure53, Least Authority |
| Segment | B2C |
| MiCA / License status | Nessuna (wallet self-custody non-custodial) |
Strengths
- De-facto standard for EVM dApps; hardware wallet pairing; built-in swap, staking and dApp browser.
- Self-custody: funds stay in your wallet — the platform cannot touch them.
- No KYC: usable without identity verification.
- Self-hostable: you can run your own instance or node.
- Public security audits.
Weaknesses
- Weak default privacy (Infura RPC sees your IP); seed phrase is the user's responsibility; EVM-only.
- No notable sovereignty drawback documented.
Verdict
Score 4.6/5, outstanding profile. In its favour: de-facto standard for EVM dApps; hardware wallet pairing; built-in swap, staking and dApp browser. The trade-off to weigh: weak default privacy (Infura RPC sees your IP); seed phrase is the user's responsibility; EVM-only.
On the Sovereignty lens the score is 4.1/5 (very strong): the strength is fund control (5.0/5), while privacy & anonymity (3.1/5) is the weak link.
Promp's editorial rating based on real fees and net annual cost. Promp reviews third-party products independently.
"Sovereignty" rating: score computed on privacy/anonymity (30%), fund control (20%), censorship resistance (20%), trustless/auditability (20%) and costs (10%). Same data, different weights.
FAQ
Is MetaMask custodial?
No. MetaMask is a non-custodial self-custody wallet: your private keys and 12-word seed phrase stay on your device, Consensys has no access to your funds.
Which blockchains does MetaMask support?
MetaMask supports Ethereum and all EVM-compatible networks (Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, BNB Chain, Avalanche and hundreds more via custom networks). Since 2024 it also supports non-EVM chains via Snaps (e.g. Bitcoin, Solana).
Is MetaMask open source?
Partly: the extension code is public on GitHub, but some recent components are under a proprietary license. That's why we classify it as partially open-source.
Sources
- Official service page Custodia · Blockchain · Recovery · Funzioni Data verified on Jun 20, 2026
- github.com Sovranita.open source Data verified on Jun 20, 2026
- support.metamask.io Privacy · Sicurezza Data verified on Jun 20, 2026