To interact with the Avalanche blockchain and DApps, you need a compatible cryptocurrency wallet, such as MetaMask. MetaMask is a cryptocurrency wallet that can be downloaded on Chrome and Firefox as a browser extension or as an App on iOS and Android devices, that allows users to store and transact crypto through a simple interface.
But before you can use Avalanche tokens on MetaMask, you need to add the Avalanche network to your wallet. This guide will show you how to add Avalanche to MetaMask.
Avalanche C Chain MetaMask
If you are already using the Avalanche network, note that only the C-Chain wallet is compatible with MetaMask. So to transfer AVAX from your Avalanche wallet, your tokens need to be in your C-Chain wallet. You can also transfer your AVAX to MetaMask from an exchange wallet that has integrated C-Chain, such as Binance.
How To Add Avalanche To MetaMask?
By default, the MetaMask wallet is connected to the ETHereum mainnet. To add Avalanche to your wallet, you need to add its network details to the extension.
1. Open your wallet extension and click the network dropdown menu.
2. Click [Add Network].
3. You’ll be redirected to the [Add a network] page. Copy and paste the following details and click [Save].
- Network Name: Avalanche Network
- New RPC URL: https://api.avax.network/ext/bc/C/rpc
- ChainID: 43114
- Symbol: AVAX
- Explorer: https://snowtrace.io/
4. Your MetaMask wallet is now connected to the Avalanche network.
How to Send AVAX to MetaMask?
After connecting the Avalanche network, you can now send your Avalanche tokens (AVAX) from another Avalanche wallet to MetaMask.
There are 3 blockchains on the Avalanche network: the Exchange Chain (X-Chain), the Contract Chain (C-Chain), and the Platform Chain (P-Chain).
Note that only the C-Chain is compatible with MetaMask, meaning that you can only use the C-Chain to transfer AVAX to your MetaMask wallet. As such, do be cautious because if you select the wrong chain, you might lose your tokens.
1. Log in to your Avalanche wallet and check where your AVAX tokens are from the [Balance] box on the top.
If your AVAX tokens are in your X-Chain wallet, you need to transfer them to your C-Chain wallet before you can send them to MetaMask.
1.1. Click [Cross Chain] on the left menu bar.
1.2. Select [C Chain] as the destination chain. Then, enter the amount you wish to transfer from your X-Chain wallet and click [Confirm]. Note that you’ll need to pay a small transaction fee.
2. Now go to [Send] from the left menu bar.
3. Select [C] as the source chain. Enter the amount you want to send to MetaMask.
4. Now go to your MetaMask wallet and copy the address.
5. Go back to your Avalanche wallet, find the [To Address] field, and paste the MetaMask wallet address. Check the gas fee and click [Confirm] to transfer. As soon as the transaction is confirmed, you will see the AVAX in your MetaMask wallet.
Closing Thoughts
While MetaMask was initially built for ETHereum, you can now use it across multiple blockchain networks, including Avalanche, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, and others. Learning how to add each network manually will allow you to explore the various DeFi platforms and DApps of each blockchain ecosystem, such as PancakeSwap, Uniswap, SushiSwap, and OpenSea.
But now that you have learnt how to add Avalanche to MetaMask, you can start by exploring the Avalanche ecosystem – swapping on the Trader Joe DEX, staking on Platypus Finance, and much more!
