What To Know:
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MetaMask now supports native Bitcoin, allowing fiat BTC purchases, onchain transfers, and swaps with EVM and Solana assets.
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The update removes reliance on wrapped tokens and bridges, simplifying Bitcoin access while preserving user self-custody.
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The launch aligns with Consensys’ broader expansion push, including new products, a rewards program, and plans for a MASK token rollout.
MetaMask has added native Bitcoin support, marking a significant expansion for the world’s most widely used Ethereum wallet as it accelerates its push toward a multi-chain future.
According to an announcement released on Monday, MetaMask users can now buy bitcoin directly using fiat, send and receive BTC on the Bitcoin network, and swap between BTC and assets native to EVM chains as well as Solana. The update removes the need for wrapped tokens or third-party bridges, long a point of friction for users seeking Bitcoin exposure within the MetaMask ecosystem.
MetaMask Finally Adds Native Bitcoin Support
The launch follows a wave of recent product releases from MetaMask, which operates under Ethereum development firm Consensys.Over the past few months, the wallet has rolled out a Polymarket onramp, introduced its mUSD stablecoin, and added in-app perpetuals trading powered by Hyperliquid. Together, these updates signal an effort to reposition MetaMask from a single-ecosystem wallet into a broader crypto access layer.
MetaMask first indicated plans to expand beyond Ethereum earlier this year. It began by rolling out support for Solana and had initially targeted the third quarter for a Bitcoin integration. That timeline has now materialized.The company has also introduced a physical version of the MetaMask Card, powered by Linea, the Ethereum Layer 2 network developed by Consensys.
The latest MetaMask release supports native SegWit Bitcoin addresses at launch, with Taproot address support planned for a future update.Prior signals around the integration had already pointed to deeper Bitcoin ambitions.
Before this update, MetaMask users accessed Bitcoin exposure primarily through non-native solutions. Wrapped BTC and bridge-based products allowed participation in Ethereum-based DeFi, but they introduced added complexity, smart contract risk, and higher costs. Native Bitcoin support removes several of those constraints but also preserves self-custody, a core principle of the wallet.
The addition of Bitcoin also reflects broader changes in user expectations. As crypto adoption expands, users increasingly favor consolidated tools over fragmented setups. Managing Ethereum assets in one wallet and Bitcoin in another has long been a source of friction. MetaMask’s update aims to simplify that experience by offering a single interface for multiple major networks.
From a functionality perspective, Bitcoin support inside MetaMask covers core use cases. Users can purchase BTC through integrated fiat ramps, transfer funds on-chain, and swap between bitcoin and other supported assets without leaving the wallet. The swaps are integrated into MetaMask’s existing interface, which allows users to retain custody throughout the process. Security remains a central consideration.
MetaMask has stated that Bitcoin functionality does not alter its core security model. Private keys remain controlled locally by users, and the wallet does not move into a custodial role. Bitcoin transactions are handled using native standards rather than synthetic representations, a design choice likely to appeal to long-time Bitcoin holders who prioritize simplicity and direct ownership. The timing of the update also coincides with broader corporate developments at Consensys. Founded in 2014, the company is preparing for an initial public offering. MetaMask has also signaled an upcoming rollout of its MASK token. In October, the wallet teased details of a rewards initiative it described as one of the largest on-chain rewards programs ever built, featuring more than $30 million in LINEA rewards.
In October, Consensys CEO Joseph Lubin confirmed that work on the MASK launch was actively underway, though no specific timeline was provided. According to Monday’s announcement, users who swap into BTC using MetaMask will earn MetaMask Rewards points, tying Bitcoin activity directly into the wallet’s broader incentive structure. Bitcoin adoption continues to face usability challenges, particularly for newer users navigating complex wallet ecosystems. MetaMask’s move positions Bitcoin as a first-class asset within a familiar interface, potentially lowering barriers to everyday use.
Bitcoin is currently trading at $86,317.40 after a surge of 0.1% in the past 1 hour, and a dip of 4% in the past 24 hours.
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