MetaMask is the most widely used crypto wallet in the world with over 30 million monthly active users. It is the gateway to the Ethereum ecosystem — to use any DeFi protocol, NFT marketplace, or Web3 application on Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, or any other EVM-compatible chain, MetaMask is the standard tool used by traders and developers worldwide.

MetaMask is a hot wallet — it stores your encrypted keys on your internet-connected device, making it convenient for frequent DeFi interactions but less suitable for long-term storage of large amounts. The best practice is to use MetaMask for active DeFi trading and connect it to a Ledger or Trezor hardware wallet for an additional security layer on high-value transactions.