How to connect BNB Smart Chain to MetaMask
MetaMask is a popular cryptocurrency wallet that connects to the BNB Smart Chain (BSC). But the combination must be added manually in the wallet settings. This simple wallet configuration covered in this article gives users access to decentralized finance (DeFi).
Learn how to connect the BNB Smart Chain to MetaMask for access to smart contract interoperability, a decentralized application (DApp), and a decentralized exchange (DEX).
The MetaMask wallet serves millions of crypto users, allowing them to store, exchange and buy cryptocurrencies and access DApps and DeFi projects. MetaMask supports Ethereum and Ethereum-based tokens by default, but wallet users can add additional blockchain integration if the network is compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). BNB Smart Chain from cryptocurrency exchange Binance is one such compatible network.
BNB Smart Chain has hundreds of thousands of users using its DeFi projects, DApps, DEXs and blockchain and invincible token-based games. Although Ethereum is a network with many DApps, the BNB Smart Chain is gaining adoption along with Tron and other smart contract blockchains.
Prerequisites for connecting BNB Smart Chain and MetaMask
Before connecting to BNB Smart Chain, users must configure their MetaMask wallet properly.
Install MetaMask
MetaMask users can set up their own wallets and make them work. If not, the first step is to install MetaMask, which is available as a browser extension for Chrome and other browsers and as a mobile app for Android and iOS.
The MetaMask wallet, with native Ethereum compatibility, can be downloaded from the MetaMask website or the appropriate app store. The next step is to create a MetaMask wallet.
Configure MetaMask wallet security
A strong password is required after MetaMask is installed, and users must create a recovery phrase known as a passphrase, which must be kept securely. Recovery clauses are critical to digital asset management and security. In this case, if the password is forgotten or access to the device is lost, the only way to enter the wallet is the password.
Once the password and pedigree are set, users should be able to see that their MetaMask wallet is ready to send and receive funds. At this time, a new blockchain network can be added to the MetaMask wallet.
Step-by-step guide to connect BNB Smart Chain to MetaMask
MetaMask wallets are connected to the Ethereum blockchain by default. However, setting up MetaMask's connection to the BNB Smart Chain allows wallet users to quickly use DApps on the network. The process takes a few quick steps.
These steps may vary depending on which browser or application is used, but should provide a quick guide to connecting MetaMask to the Binance network.
Step 1: Open MetaMask and login
When a user logs into their MetaMask wallet, the basic MetaMask home screen appears.
Step 2: Go to settings
Settings can usually be found through the user profile menu or icon in the upper right corner.
Step 3: Select “Networks” and select “Add Network”.
In “Settings”, users can go to “Networks” and then to “Add Network”.
Step 4: Select BNB Smart Chain
Once you click “Add Network”, BNB Smart Chain can be selected from the list of Ethereum-compatible networks using the “Add” function displayed to the right of the list entry.
Step 5: Check and confirm the network details
MetaMask will ask if the user wants to add the network and display network details. Selecting “Approve” will connect BNB Smart Chain to MetaMask.
Step 6: Switch to BNB Smart Chain to start using the network
Once “Approve” is confirmed, users should see “Network successfully added” message and “Switch to BNB Chain” option to start using BNB Smart Chain DApps.
MetaMask users should note that it is not possible to transfer crypto funds from one blockchain network to another. For example, a user cannot transfer funds directly from BNB Smart Chain to Ethereum. BNB Smart Chain transfers can only be made between BNB Smart Chain wallets. The only exception is for those using a blockchain bridge designed for cross-chain transactions, i.e. moving funds between different blockchains.
When the user switches from Ethereum to BNB Smart Chain after connecting to the new network, Metamask displays the following message about the risk of permanent asset loss if a direct transfer of funds is attempted from one blockchain network to another.
Step 7: Add BNB to pay transaction fees for BNB Smart Chain
To use BNB Smart Chain with MetaMask, the network's native crypto, BNB (BNB), must be added to the MetaMask wallet. BNB can be withdrawn from Binance account and deposited into MetaMask using BEP-20 network. MetaMask shows approximate fees for BNB Smart Chain transactions.
However, when withdrawing BNB from Binance, be sure to select the BEP-20 (BSC) network option and ensure that you have the correct MetaMask wallet address for the BNB Smart Chain.
Once the BNB Smart Chain is connected to MetaMask, DApps of its network can be accessed via wallets as quickly as Ethereum DApps. To start using the new DApp, users go to the selected BNB Smart Chain DApp website and connect their MetaMask wallet.
