Offchain Labs has created Arbitrum, a layer 2 scaling solution, in an effort to increase the scalability of Ethereum, process faster transactions at low fees. Since it is a layer-2 solution, the Ethereum mainnet, which it is built upon, provides the majority of its security.
One of the most significant layer-2 scaling options for Ethereum, Arbitrum has a TVL of $975 million at the time of writing.
We will walk through the process of adding the Arbitrum network to MetaMask in this article. Let’s dive in!
Quick Steps:
- Get the Metamask browser add-on now.
- Click the “Add Networks” button on your Metamask wallet to add networks.
- The verified Arbitrum RPC details should be copied and pasted onto this page.
- The Arbitrum Network will be accessible after you enter these details and choose “Save.”
Can I Add Arbitrum to MetaMask?
Because it is compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), you can add the Arbitrum Layer 2 network to your Metamask wallet. This implies that Solidity, the programming language used by Arbitrum, is also used by applications that run on the Ethereum mainnet.
Layer 2 platforms like Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, and others are supported by MetaMask at the moment on their wallet app, which would make all EVM-compatible networks one of them.
How to Add Arbitrum to MetaMask Wallet
You’ll need your MetaMask wallet up and running in your “Extensions” tab on your browser. Use the official website to download and install the wallet. It will show up in the list of extensions once it has been installed. You can easily pin it to your main screen by clicking the “pin” button next to the wallet’s extension in the list. You’ll have quick and simple access to it in this way. It will appear as shown once you pin it.
Click the MetaMask icon to continue. By default, your browser will open the wallet as a side frame. To add a new network to it, you’ll need to open it in “Expanded View”. To do that, simply select the “Expanded View” option by clicking the three dots at the top-right corner of your wallet.
Then a new browser tab with your wallet open.
Head over to the disc at the top-right corner and click on the “Settings” button.
The same tab will open a new window. In the left pane, you will have a number of options to choose from. Simply click on the “Networks” tab to add the new network. When finished, a new screen will show up. Click “Add a network” to add the network details.
Your network will be added to the wallet once these fields have been filled in. Start transferring money to and from the wallet by copying your wallet address right away!
What Are Gas Fees? Why Do They Matter?
Gas is the computational fuel (ETH) that enables transactions on Ethereum and other blockchain networks. Similar to how the heat of the sun enables plants to photosynthesize Plants can’t grow without the sun’s rays. The Ethereum network cannot function without gas. Due to the decentralization of labor, fees are the cost of a transaction. Gas fees are what miners receive in exchange for the transactions they facilitate, just like a bank will charge you for a wire transfer.
Additionally, on blockchain networks, you are the product without having to pay gas fees. This means that while in Web2, we don’t explicitly pay for the use of apps (such as with gas fees), we do so by providing our data. As a way to increase online autonomy, Web3 introduces gas fees.
While gas fees are necessary for crypto networks, their high cost — sometimes too high for scalability — is one of the main obstacles to adoption. This is the basis for L2 networks, of which Arbitrum is one.
Introducing Arbitrum & Connecting Your MetaMask
The first L2 solution for Ethereum to appear is Arbitrum. With over 3 million transactions completed, the network currently has about 2.5 billion locked assets. Because Arbitrum uses Ethereum’s Layer 1 (L1) security, it has less expensive gas fees and a secure network. Optimistic rollups are used, which lowers gas prices on Arbitrum. Optimistic rollups are smart contracts that combine transactions into groups that require less computation and, consequently, less gas for quick and affordable transactions. Here’s how to test out Arbitrum.
Start by adding the Arbitrum network in three steps directly from your MetaMask.
Open your MetaMask and click “Ethereum Mainnet” at the top:
Then, select “Custom RPC.”
Lastly, input the network credentials shown below and click, “Add Network.”
Voila! You can now bridge your ETH and find new dapps after connecting the Arbitrum network to your MetaMask.
Bridging Your Assets from Ethereum to Arbitrum
To send ETH from Layer 1 Ethereum to Layer 2 Arbitrum, follow these instructions.
Visit https://bridge.arbitrum.io. Since you’re MetaMask is already connected, the screen will appear as shown below, with the option to make a deposit:
Then, simply enter the amount of ETH you wish to use on Arbitrum and click “Deposit”.
You must then confirm the transaction in your wallet. Please be aware that this transaction is on Layer 1 and that standard gas fees will be charged. However, once on Arbitrum, you can benefit from lower gas prices. Once the amount is correct, click “Confirm”.
As soon as it is approved, the transaction will show up and begin to process at the bottom of your screen. This may require a while.
You can refer to this tutorial from Arbitrum if you need more assistance bridging your assets.
You can start using it as soon as you have some ETH on Arbitrum!
Let’s now look into the various dapps that are accessible via the Arbitrum One Portal.
Read More: How Can I Reset My Metamask Password with Simple Steps
Browse Dapps on Arbitrum
The Arbitrum One Portal is described as the “gateway to the Arbitrum ecosystem” and currently supports over 50 of the most used dapps on Web3.
Take a close look at what’s available now that you’re prepared to use your MetaMask with the Arbitrum network. Many of the dapps you already know and love from the mainnet are also available on Arbitrum, including Curve, Uniswap, and Balancer, to name a few.
Final Thoughts
No one should be prevented from maximizing Web3 because of expensive gas. A great way to sustainably explore the value of Web3 is by connecting your assets to L2 networks. Additionally, there is no shortage of dapps being deployed on L2s, as you can see in the Aribitrum One Portal. Simply bridge your ETH with your MetaMask connected to enjoy lower gas costs.
