Decentralized finance on Ethereum is booming. Billions of dollars now flow through applications built on Ethereum, allowing you to trade tokens, lend assets, earn interest, and more.
However, victim of its own success, the increasing activity has congested the network and driven gas fees sky high.
Enter Polygon – an easy-to-use scaling solution that works with Ethereum to enable lightning fast and extremely cheap transactions.
By adding Polygon to MetaMask, you gain access to the full suite of Polygon dApps with gas fees as low as $0.001 per transaction.
Let me show you how it‘s done!
Why Add Polygon to MetaMask?
Before jumping into the steps, it helps to understand why connecting Polygon to MetaMask is so valuable:
Speed
Ethereum handles around 15 transactions per second (TPS). Decentralized apps like Uniswap have grown so popular that transactions get backed up, forcing you to wait.
Polygon can process over 7,000 TPS. That‘s over 400X faster – allowing assets and data to move instantly and cheaply.
No more slamming the "Speed Up" button on stalled Ethereum transactions!
Enhanced Functionality
By linking Polygon into MetaMask, you unlock the full suite of Polygon dApps straight from your wallet.
This includes DEXs like QuickSwap, lending protocols like Aave Polygon, NFT marketplaces like OpenSea Polygon, and more.
It transforms MetaMask from just an Ethereum gateway into a multi-chain hub.
Easy Access to DeFi
On Ethereum, activities like trading tokens and yield farming can cost $20+, pricing out small investors.
Polygon makes decentralized finance accessible for everyone, with gas fees as low as 1/100th of a penny.
One Central Dashboard
MetaMask becomes your unified interface into both Ethereum and Polygon. Monitor your portfolio and seamlessly switch between networks/dApps right in your wallet.
With so much utility unlocked, connecting Polygon is a no brainer!
Now let‘s get you set up…
Step 1: Download and Set Up MetaMask
To follow along, you‘ll need the MetaMask browser extension installed:
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Download and install MetaMask for Chrome, Brave, Firefox, or Edge.
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Create a new wallet and carefully record your secret recovery phrase. This 12-24 word phrase functions as the master key, allowing you to restore your account if your computer gets lost or stolen.
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Set a secure password for encrypting your wallet. This adds a second layer of protection on top of your recovery phrase.
Once installed, clicking the fox icon in your browser toolbar will popup your MetaMask dashboard. This allows you to login and access your wallet:
Let‘s get Polygon integrated!
Step 2: Add the Polygon Network
Once logged into MetaMask, adding Polygon requires entering details like its Chain ID, RPC URL, and currency ticker:
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Click the network dropdown above your account list, then choose "Add Network" at the very bottom.
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On the Add Network form, enter in:
- Network Name: Polygon
- New RPC URL: https://polygon-rpc.com/
- Chain ID: 137
- Currency Symbol: MATIC
- Block Explorer URL: https://polygonscan.com
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Double check your inputs match then click Save.
And that‘s it! MetaMask will automatically switch over to the Polygon Mainnet.
Step 3: Configure Your Polygon Account
With Polygon added, you need to link one of your MetaMask accounts to transact on Polygon:
- Ensure Polygon Mainnet is selected in the network dropdown menu.
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Your account balance will show 0 MATIC. Click "Create Account" to generate one dedicated for Polygon.
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Fund your new account by copying the address and requesting MATIC from an exchange or friend.
You can also import existing software/hardware wallet addresses if you already hold Polygon assets. MetaMask keeps your accounts neatly organized across different networks.
Step 4: Using Polygon Within MetaMask
Ready to put your Polygon integration to work? Here‘s just some of what you can now do:
Trade Tokens Instantly
Head to QuickSwap and securely connect your MetaMask wallet in seconds. No need for clunky wallet extensions or seed phrase exposures.
Swap MATIC and other tokens instantly for just pennies. The QuickSwap DEX settles over $50M in daily trading volume across 150+ token pairs.
Yield Farm on Popular DeFi Protocols
Put your assets to work yield farming on platforms like Aave Polygon, Curve, mStable, and more.
Supply MATIC, USDC, or other tokens to liquidity pools and earn interest from trading fees. Or stake assets in other innovative ways to earn rewards.
Mint and Trade NFTs
Create or purchase digital art, collectibles, metaverse items and more on OpenSea Polygon, the leading NFT marketplace. Connecting MetaMask lets you instantly buy newly minted items.
Floor Sweeper NFTs on OpenSea Polygon
The integrated experience makes it effortless to unlock what DeFi and Web3 have to offer.
Extra Tips for Advanced Users
Beyond the basics, here are some extra pointers:
Importing Hardware Wallets
For added security, connect a hardware wallet like Ledger or Trezor to MetaMask. This gives you external cold storage while retaining Polygon access.
Using Polygon Testnets
Polygon offers Mumbai, a test network for safely building and debugging. Work out issues before going live. Add just as you did Mainnet using Chain ID 80001.
Address Whitelisting
To avoid getting scammed, enable address whitelisting under MetaMask settings. Restrict accounts that can receive your tokens.
Review Contract Code
Carefully examine smart contract code of unfamiliar Polygon dApps. Use tools like RugDoc to detect fake projects and potential scams.
Adding Polygon to MetaMask opens up a whole new realm of possibilities – fast transactions, negligible gas fees, deep liquidity across DeFi apps, and more.
With just a few clicks, your MetaMask wallet evolves into a unified gateway for both Ethereum and Polygon. Plus other networks get added all the time!
So integrate Polygon today and starting exploring what was previously unavailable or uneconomical on Ethereum alone. DeFi and web3 are now easily within reach!
Let me know if any questions come up in the process. Happy to help troubleshoot or clarify any of the steps.
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