Sending SOL to your Metamask would result in a loss of funds because Solana cannot be added to Metamask. Phantom is probably the best choice, though, if you want to use a wallet that has the same appearance and feel as Metamask. Below are the details on how to use Solana wallet
Can I Add Solana to My Metamask Wallet?
The native Solana token, abbreviated SOL, cannot be added to your Metamask wallet because Solana is incompatible with Metamask.
The Ethereum Virtual Machine’s programming language, Solidity, is the only one that is supported by Metamask Wallets when it comes to supporting blockchains. As a result, Solana, which uses Rust as its primary programming language, cannot be used with Metamask.
Networks like Avalanche (AVAX), Fantom (FTM), Binance (BSC), and others that are EVM compatible are supported by Metamask wallets. A Solana update that is compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) will soon be made available through Neon Labs, who are implementing SOL there.
Also Read: Metamask vs Coinbase: Which Crypto Wallet I Should Choose? – BTCADV
Alternative Methods on Adding Solana to Metamask
There are some alternatives you can use if you want to store SOL on your Metamask wallet even though you cannot add the native Solana token to Metamask.
The alternative methods you can use to add Solana to your Metamask wallet are listed below.
Method 1: Adding Solana to Metamask Via the Binance Smart Chain.
The first alternative is to add the Wrapped version of Solana uses, which is installed on various other blockchains, including Ethereum, Polygon, Avalanche C-Chain, Binance Smart Chain, and others.
This is a wrapped version of the Solana token, not the native Solana token that is used on the Solana network itself, but it still has the same value.
Here is how to add Wrapped Solana to your Metamask wallet using the Binance Smart Chain system.
Step 1: Open the CoinMarketCap Website and Copy the Correct Contract Address.
Obtaining the contract address for the token contract is the first step in adding the Wrapped Solana token to your Metamask wallet.
Open the Wrapped Solana token page on CoinMarketCap and select more to proceed. From the drop-down, click on the Copy icon next to the contract address of Wrapped Solana on the “BNB Smart Chain (BEP20)” to copy its contract address to your clipboard.
Step 2: Launch the Metamask Extension and Enter Your Password.
Launch the Metamask extension after that, and unlock your wallet by entering the account password.
If you use the Metamask app on your smartphone, you can quickly unlock your wallet using any of the biometric options, including Face ID, fingerprint, PIN, and Face Unlock.
Step 3: Ensure Binance Smart Chain is the Selected Network.
You must already have added the Binance Smart Chain network to your Metamask wallet and selected it as the network to be used by default if you want Solana to be added to Metamask via the Binance Smart Chain.
If you have not yet added the Binance Smart Chain to your Metamask wallet, we have a helpful tutorial that will show you how to do so quickly on both the extension and mobile app. Before continuing with this instruction, you must add the network to your Metamask wallet using the procedures in that article.
After adding the Binance Smart Chain network to your wallet, choose it as your default network by clicking the button shown in the screenshot below.
Step 4: Click on [Import Tokens].
Now that you have selected the correct network, scroll down on the Metamask window and click on [Import tokens].
Step 5: Paste the Contract Address and Click [Add Custom Token].
Copy the Wrapped Solana contract address from the CoinMarketCap website, paste it in, and wait a few seconds for Metamask to automatically fetch the Token Symbol and Ticker.
Once that’s done, click on [Add Custom Token] to add Solana to your Metamask wallet.
Note: It is not possible to send native Solana tokens (SOL) to your Metamask Wrapped SOL wallet address, despite the fact that both of these tokens have the same value.
Sending native You will suffer a long-term financial loss if you add Solana tokens to your Metamask wallet. You can only send Solana to your wallet on Metamask using the Binance Smart Chain (BEP20) network.
Some crypto exchanges like Binance allow you to Solana to an external wallet (Metamask in this case) using multiple networks, so if you’re sending $SOL from your Binance account to Metamask, ensure you select “BNB Smart Chain (BEP20)” as the network to be used for the transaction.
Method 2: Use An Alternative Wallet (Phantom Wallet)
Some platforms, especially decentralized apps in the NFT space, only permit you to buy, sell, and swap NFTs and other crypto assets using the native Solana token (SOL), not the Wrapped variant that is supported by Metamask.
The only way to get around this problem at the moment is to use a different wallet that comes with native Solana support by default.
The Phantom wallet, which can be used on desktop and mobile devices as a browser extension, is one of the best Solana wallets currently available.
The quick setup instructions for the Phantom wallet on your device for native Solana support are provided below.
Step 1: Download and Install the Extension/mobile App on Your Device.
First, go to the Phantom Wallet download page and download the appropriate browser extension (if you’re using a PC, Mac, or Linux), or the mobile app for Android or iOS, if you’re using a mobile device.
For the purposes of this guide, we’ll be using the Chrome extension for Phantom wallet. Install the extension from the Google Chrome Webstore if you’re also using the Chrome browser by tapping on the Chrome logo on the Phantom Wallet download page.
Step 2: Click on the Phantom Icon and Select [Create a New Wallet].
Next, click on the Phantom Wallet icon in the extensions area of your browser and select [Create a new wallet] to create a new Wallet Solana on your gadget.
Step 3: Create a Password and Click [Continue].
Make up a password that you can later use to access your wallet, then type it again to confirm it in the following text box. After that, click on [Continue] to set the password.
Step 4: Safely Back Up Your Recovery Phrase and Click [Continue].
The wallet you just created on Phantom is accessible using your secret recovery phrase. Note the phrase and store it securely and once that’s done, tick the checkbox and click on [Continue].
Step 5: Note the Shortcut and Click on [Continue].
Using the assigned shortcut keys, you can always start the Phantom extension. Note these keys and click on [Continue].
Step 6: Finally Click on [Finish] to Complete the Setup Process.
Finally, click on [Finish] to complete the Setting up a phantom wallet.
Optional: Copy Your Solana Wallet Address.
To receive SOL in your freshly created wallet on Phantom wallet, you must obtain your Solana wallet address. You must first launch the extension by clicking on the icon for the Phantom wallet before you can enter your password to unlock the wallet.
Next, select your Solana balance.
On the next page, click on [Deposit].
Finally, click on [Copy] to copy your Solana wallet address fraud.
You’ve now successfully copied your Solana wallet address to your device’s clipboard. Using the SOL tokens that are currently in your wallet, you can send native Solana tokens to this wallet address and buy Solana NFTs.
Will Metamask Add Solana Wallets?
The Ethereum Consensys team, which owns and runs Metamask, has not yet made any plans to support Solana or other non-Ethereum compatible networks. You’ll need to hold off until Neon Labs makes Solana compatible with EVM so that Metamask can add it to their wallet.
How to Get a Solana (SOL) Wallet for DeFi and NFTs
You must download Phantom Wallet if you want to connect to the Solana network and use the ecosystem’s native DeFi, GameFi, and NFT Apps. The Phantom Wallet’s user interface is exactly like Metamask’s, with the exception that it’s integrated with SOL programs.
Phantom is completely free, and they make it simple to send and receive tokens as well as conduct transactions in DeFi for reasonable fees. Any assets you purchase from Solana NFT Marketplaces will be kept in the built-in NFT wallet of the Phantom Solana wallet.
Also Read: 13 Best Solana Wallets in 2022 – Keep Your SOL Safe – BTCADV
Are Solana Wallets Safer Than Metamask?
Solana Wallets are equally secure and dependable as Metamask. The Phantom team has been operating for years, and it has the support of many of the biggest institutional investors, including Alameda Research, FTX, Jump Crypto, and many others. In their three years of operation, they have experienced no exploits or data breaches.
If you want to earn free Solana, welcome to check our 12 safe ways to earn free Solana (SOL).
Conclusion
The fastest decentralized blockchain and the fastest-expanding crypto ecosystem are both found in Solana. Because of its immunity to restrictions, the blockchain will continue to operate, enabling unrestricted use of applications and uninterrupted payment processing.
The Solana blockchain’s native cryptocurrency, known as SOL token, serves as a utility token. Owners of SOL tokens are qualified to serve as network validators.
Due to the fact that MetaMask is an Ethereum-based cryptocurrency wallet, it does not support adding SOL tokens or any other blockchain-based crypto tokens. A Phantom Wallet or any other cryptocurrency wallet powered by the Solana blockchain can be used to add SOL tokens.
Read more to learn how to add other cryptocurrencies to MetaMask:
