MetaMask is a cryptocurrency wallet developed within Consensys. It provides browser-extension and mobile interfaces for managing accounts and connecting to blockchain applications. Created by Aaron Davis and Dan Finlay, it launched as a browser extension in July 2016.123

History and application accessReport an error

MetaMask's account of its origins describes Davis and Finlay working on browser-based software before building the wallet. Consensys's historical timeline places the browser-extension launch in July 2016. The project provided an interface between an ordinary web browser and Ethereum applications.12

Its current developer documentation describes MetaMask Connect as a connection layer for both the extension and mobile application, with EVM and Solana integrations. It can connect directly to an installed extension or use a QR code or mobile deep link. Connecting an application to a wallet is an interface operation; it does not transfer custody to the application by itself.34

Accounts, recovery, and permissionsReport an error

MetaMask describes itself as self-custodial: its provider cannot recover funds when the means of access are lost. Its recovery documentation distinguishes the Secret Recovery Phrase, which derives wallet accounts, from the password that protects access on a device. Supported social-login setups use encrypted, split recovery material and require both the login account and the MetaMask password.45

Security alerts assess requests using information such as the application URL, network identifier, and proposed transaction. MetaMask says this data is shared with its security partners, while recovery phrases and private keys are not. Alerts inform a user's decision but do not necessarily block the transaction.6

Incidents and controversiesReport an error

In April 2023 Consensys disclosed unauthorised access to a third-party customer-support ticketing provider. It estimated about 7,000 users were affected among people who submitted personal information between 1 August 2021 and 10 February 2023. Consensys said the incident did not compromise the security of the wallet extension or mobile application; the exposure concerned support-ticket data. This distinction matters because self-custody does not eliminate risks from associated support services.7

TimelineReport an error

Date Event
2016-07 Browser extension launches2
2022-07-14 Founders' retrospective published1
2023-04-14 Support-provider incident disclosed7

See alsoReport an error

ReferencesReport an error

  1. ^ a b c MetaMask (14 July 2022). How did MetaMask come to life? The origin story, revealed. https://metamask.io/news/how-did-metamask-come-to-life-the-origin-story-revealed 

  2. ^ a b c Consensys. Eight years of evolution: the history of Ethereum and Consensys. https://consensys.com/blog/eight-years-of-evolution-the-history-of-ethereum-and-consensys 

  3. ^ a b MetaMask. MetaMask Connect. https://docs.metamask.io/metamask-connect/ 

  4. ^ a b MetaMask. What is a self-custodial wallet? https://support.metamask.io/start/metamask-is-a-self-custodial-wallet 

  5. ^ a b MetaMask. How to secure your Secret Recovery Phrase and password. https://support.metamask.io/privacy-and-security/what-is-a-secret-recovery-phrase-and-how-to-keep-your-crypto-wallet-secure 

  6. ^ MetaMask. How to manage security alerts to protect your wallet. https://support.metamask.io/privacy-and-security/how-to-turn-on-security-alerts/ 

  7. ^ a b Consensys (14 April 2023). FAQ: customer support data security incident. https://consensys.com/blog/faq-customer-support-data-security-incident