MetaMask Snap is a new type of extension developed by MetaMask for its wallet. It is based on MetaMask's Flask and is designed to allow third-party developers to extend the MetaMask wallet in the ways they want, providing users with a more personalized or diverse trading experience.

In simple terms, MetaMask Snap is similar to a built-in app store within the wallet, allowing third-party developers to launch various decentralized applications (DApps). Users can freely choose the plugins they need to download and use. According to public information, MetaMask is the only wallet provider to date that supports custom plugins.

MetaMask Snap Open Beta

MetaMask Snap officially launched its Open Beta public testing phase on September 12, 2023, and introduced 34 Snap applications. The snaps currently online in the test version must be reviewed and approved by MetaMask before joining. According to the official website, MetaMask Snaps Open Beta is the first step in building this permissionless system, and the ultimate vision for MetaMask Snap is to be completely permissionless, allowing anyone to freely launch their own snaps.

How to Use MetaMask Snap

The first step is to visit the Snap website snaps.metamask.io, where you can see various Snap plugins that have passed review and are currently available. Click on the Snap application you are interested in and press "Add to MetaMask." You will then receive a connection permission request from the MetaMask wallet. Accept it and click "Install" to complete the download. You can manage the snaps you have installed on the MetaMask settings → Snaps page.

Please note that due to the recent launch of MetaMask Snap, many DApps websites do not yet support connecting wallets via the MetaMask Snap plugin.

Source: https://snaps.metamask.io/

Source: Metamask

Affected projects

The launch of MetaMask Snap has had a significant impact on various non-EVM wallets. Among the 34 Snaps that have been introduced, nearly one-third of them are plugins related to non-EVM networks, such as Solana, Aptos, Sui, or Cosmos, including Layer 0 and Layer 1 public chains. Some of these plugins are developed by wallet DApp teams that were originally in the forefront, such as Solana's Solflare team and Cosmos' Leap wallet team, both of which actively joined MetaMask Snap during the Open Beta phase.

Another area significantly affected by this development is the Decentralized Identity (DID) space. After the launch of MetaMask Snap, many project teams have shifted from building DApp websites to issuing plugins on MetaMask Snap, directly integrating with the wallet, which aligns better with the use cases of such products.

Source: https://snaps.metamask.io/

Author's Perspective:

The launch of MetaMask Snap is undoubtedly a significant boon for Web3 users. In the past, when users wanted to interact with various public blockchains, they had to download corresponding wallet extensions. Sometimes, conflicts arose between different extensions, making it challenging for users to have a seamless experience. MetaMask Snap addresses this issue perfectly, as users can now download the MetaMask wallet and install plugins for various public chains, allowing them to freely navigate different blockchain networks. It also offers a security advantage, as the MetaMask team ensures security and can prevent many potentially unsafe wallet projects from entering the ecosystem.

However, on the flip side, this development could be seen as bad news for many wallet projects (like Phantom and Keplr). The introduction of MetaMask Snap almost signals the impending demise of other wallet projects. They have two choices: either downgrade and join Snap applications as plugins (like Solflare and Leap) or choose to support multiple blockchains in direct competition with MetaMask. In the author's view, the latter option has a very low chance of gaining a significant market share. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, MetaMask already holds a dominant position with a large user base. Second, MetaMask is backed by ConsenSys, a well-funded company that has taken the lead in this area. Other wallet projects, lacking strong financial backing and the advantage of being early movers, face a challenging competitive landscape.