# MetaMask

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/metamask
> research date 2026-05-29 · extracted at 2026-10-03
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

Specifications:
- [MetaMask — official](https://metamask.io/)

## Overview

**MetaMask** is **the world's largest self-custody Web3 wallet by browser-extension share**, operated by **ConsenSys** (Joe Lubin's blockchain venture studio) <sup>[1][1], [2][2]</sup>. By **2025**, MetaMask reached **143 million total users + ~30 million monthly active users**. Historically Ethereum-only browser extension, MetaMask **transformed into a multi-chain hub in 2024-2025** with support for **Solana, Bitcoin, Monad, Sei + EVM-compatible chains**. **MetaMask USD (mUSD)** native stablecoin launched 2025 + **Stablecoin Earn passive-income feature**.

**Major 2025 milestone**: **ConsenSys acquired Web3Auth (June 2025)** to overhaul MetaMask onboarding — enables wallet creation/recovery via **familiar web2 authentication (social logins + device-based) eliminating seed-phrase backup** (35% of MetaMask users fail to back up seed phrases — major UX vulnerability).

## History

**September 2016 — MetaMask launches** as ConsenSys browser-extension Web3 wallet for Ethereum.

**2018-2022 — Mass DeFi + NFT-era adoption** <sup>[2][2]</sup>: MetaMask becomes default Web3-dApp connection.

**2020 — MetaMask Mobile launches** <sup>[1][1]</sup>: iOS + Android apps.

**2024-2025 — Multi-chain expansion**: Solana, Bitcoin, Monad, Sei added.

**2025 — mUSD native stablecoin + Stablecoin Earn launched** <sup>[3][3]</sup>.

**June 2025 — ConsenSys acquires Web3Auth** <sup>[4][4]</sup>: Web2-style social-login onboarding to address seed-phrase-backup vulnerability.

**Mid-2025 — 143M total users + 30M MAU** <sup>[1][1]</sup>.

## Ownership & operator

**Operating entity**: **ConsenSys** (Brooklyn, NY) — founded by **Joe Lubin** (Ethereum co-founder).

**Major investors**: SoftBank, Microsoft, Singapore GIC, Coinbase Ventures, others.

**Subsidiary acquisition**: **Web3Auth** (acquired June 2025).

**Regulator distinction**: Non-custodial — users hold own private keys; subject to broader securities + AML on a different basis than custodial wallets.

## Technical integration

| Layer | Description |
|---|---|
| **Channels** | **Browser extension** (Chrome/Firefox/Brave/Edge) + mobile app (iOS + Android) |
| **Supported chains** | Ethereum + EVM-compatible + **Solana + Bitcoin + Monad + Sei** (2024-2025 multi-chain expansion) |
| **Identifiers** | Blockchain addresses + ENS names |
| **Native products** | **MetaMask USD (mUSD)** stablecoin + Stablecoin Earn passive-income |
| **Onboarding (post-Web3Auth June 2025)** | Web2-style social-login + device-based auth eliminating seed phrases |
| **dApp browser** | Web3 dApp interaction (DeFi, NFTs, gaming) |

## Users & growth

**2025** <sup>[1][1]</sup>:
- **Total users**: 143 million
- **Monthly active users**: ~30 million
- **Seed-phrase-backup failure rate**: 35% (driving Web3Auth acquisition)

## Use cases

DeFi interactions (Uniswap, Aave, Compound, dYdX, etc.); NFT storage + trading; Web3 gaming; cross-chain swapping; ENS resolution; MetaMask USD stablecoin spending + earning; multi-chain asset management.

## Implementations & partners

**Operator**: **ConsenSys**.

**Subsidiary (June 2025)**: **Web3Auth**.

**Partners**: Sei (cross-chain functionality), thousands of dApps integrate via WalletConnect / MetaMask SDK.

**Major competitors**: **Trust Wallet** (200M+ users), **Phantom** (15M+ MAU, multi-chain), **[Coinbase Wallet (Smart Wallet)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/coinbase-wallet)** (3.2M MAU), **Rainbow** (100K+ users), **Ledger Live + Trezor** (hardware).

## Fun facts

- **September 2016 launch by ConsenSys** (Joe Lubin's Ethereum co-founder venture studio).
- **143M total users + 30M MAU (2025)** — among largest Web3 wallets globally by users.
- **35% of MetaMask users fail to back up seed phrases** — major UX vulnerability driving Web3Auth acquisition.
- **June 2025 ConsenSys acquires Web3Auth** for seed-phrase-eliminating Web2-style onboarding.
- **mUSD native stablecoin + Stablecoin Earn (2025)** — MetaMask's own stablecoin product.
- **Multi-chain expansion 2024-2025**: Solana + Bitcoin + Monad + Sei added — transforms from Ethereum-only to multichain hub.
- **Joe Lubin (ConsenSys CEO)** — Ethereum co-founder; one of crypto's most prominent figures.

## Comparison

| Feature | MetaMask | Trust Wallet | Phantom | [Coinbase Wallet (Smart Wallet)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/coinbase-wallet) | Ledger Live |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | **ConsenSys** | Trust Wallet (independent post-May 2025) | Phantom Inc. | Coinbase Global (NASDAQ: COIN) | Ledger SAS |
| Type | **Browser-extension + mobile self-custody** | Mobile-first self-custody | Solana-native + multi-chain | Self-custody Web3 | Hardware-wallet companion |
| Users | **143M total / 30M MAU** | 200M+ | 15M+ MAU | 3.2M MAU | 7-8M |
| Multi-chain | **Yes (post-2024-2025: Ethereum + EVM + Solana + Bitcoin + Monad + Sei)** | 70+ chains | 6 chains | Multi-chain | Multi-chain (hardware-signed) |
| Native stablecoin | **mUSD (2025)** | None | None | None | None |
| Distinctive | **Web3Auth-onboarding + mUSD + Stablecoin Earn** | 70-chain breadth + Binance Buy+ | Solana-heritage; Sequoia/Paradigm $3B valuation | Smart Wallet (ERC-4337) + Base L2 | Hardware-wallet security |

## Status

**Active, leading Web3 wallet** <sup>[1][1], [4][4]</sup>:
- **ConsenSys** operator since September 2016.
- **143M total users + 30M MAU**.
- **June 2025 Web3Auth acquisition** for seed-phrase-eliminating onboarding.
- **mUSD stablecoin + Stablecoin Earn**.
- **Multi-chain hub** (post-2024-2025: Ethereum + EVM + Solana + Bitcoin + Monad + Sei).

## Sources

[1]: https://web3.gate.com/crypto-wiki/article/monthly-active-user-statistics-for-a-leading-web3-wallet-20251205 "MetaMask MAU statistics — Gate"
[2]: https://consensys.io/ "ConsenSys — official"
[3]: https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2025/08/248176-metamask-enables-web3-adoption-with-new-stablecoin-improved-security-cross-chain-interoperability/ "MetaMask mUSD + cross-chain — Crowdfund Insider"
[4]: https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/06/02/consensys-acquires-web3auth-to-reinvent-metamask-onboarding "ConsenSys acquires Web3Auth — CoinDesk"

- [1] [MetaMask MAU statistics — Gate][1]
- [2] [ConsenSys — official][2]
- [3] [MetaMask mUSD + cross-chain — Crowdfund Insider][3]
- [4] [ConsenSys acquires Web3Auth — CoinDesk][4]

## Source

Biography extracted from [metamask.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/source/wallets/metamask). See `matrix.md` for standards-support matrix if present.