Let’s explore options for users to add Stacks to MetaMask. We will discuss MetaMask’s limitations, specialized workarounds, and Stacks’ capabilities as a smart contract platform for Bitcoin.
Summary/TL;DR
MetaMask does not natively support Stacks and its assets. Users must utilize specialized wallets like Leather Wallet instead for STX and Stack dApps integration alongside MetaMask.
You may also be interested in guides for integrating other non-EVM chains:
- How to Add Tezos (XTZ) to MetaMask
- How to Add Sponge V2 (SPONGE) to MetaMask Wallet
- How to Add Solana to MetaMask With Snaps
What is Stacks (STX)?
Stacks operates as a layer-2 solution enabling smart contracts, dApps, and digital assets on Bitcoin. It brings sophisticated functionality to BTC while benefiting from its unmatched security as the base settlement layer.
Key Metrics:
- Current Price: The live STX price today is $1.44 USD.
- Market Capitalization: Stacks has a market cap of $2.07 billion, ranking #40 overall.
- Trading Volume (24hr): The 24-hour trading volume for STX is $116 million.
- All-Time High: The STX all-time high price was $3.61 on November 7, 2021.
- Circulating Supply: There are currently 1,436,363,920 STX coins in circulation.
- Total Supply: The total supply is 1,818,000,000 STX. No additional tokens will be minted.
- Consensus Mechanism: Stacks blockchain secures its network through Proof of Transfer and stacks blocks settle directly on Bitcoin.
- Daily Percentage Gain: STX is currently up 2.01% in the last 24 hours at the time of writing.
- Twitter Followers: The official Twitter account for Stacks has 77.7k followers.
- Top Exchanges by Volume: The top exchanges trading Stacks are currently Binance (28.25% volume), OKX (6.39%), and Coinbase (5.97%).
Can You Add Stacks to MetaMask?
No, MetaMask does not natively support Stacks’ chain and assets. As an Ethereum-focused wallet, MetaMask exclusively facilitates interaction with the EVM and ERC-20 tokens by default.
Integrating external blockchain networks requires specialized extensions called “Snaps.” However, Snaps are currently unstable for Bitcoin, and Stacks is architecturally distinct regardless.
So accessing Stacks requires alternative wallet options purpose-built for its network. Let’s explore the leading solution.
Leather Wallet – The Top Stacks + MetaMask Integration
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Leather Wallet provides a premier specialized solution for using Stacks alongside MetaMask. Its seamless support for the Stacks ecosystem makes Leather ideal for handling STX, Ordinals, and other network assets.
Key Features:
- Secure STX, BTC, and token management
- Access Stacks dApps and DeFi protocols
- Intuitive user interface and onboarding
- MetaMask wallet connect integration
- 14K+ installs across browser extensions
Setting up Leather Wallet for MetaMask
Follow these steps to start using Stacks via the Leather Wallet integration:
- Install Browser Extension
Access the Leather Wallet site and install the browser extension or mobile app. Ensure you download the authentic version.
- Create New Wallet
Open Leather Wallet, hit “Create New Wallet”, and set a strong password for maximum security.
- Back Up Secret Recovery Phrase
Note down the wallet backup phrase and safely store it offline. This allows account recovery if needed.
- Fund Your Wallet
Purchase and deposit STX or other supported assets into your Leather Wallet account.
- Connect Leather Wallet to MetaMask
Open MetaMask, click “Connect Hardware Wallet” and select Leather Wallet to link it.
- Access the Stacks Ecosystem via MetaMask
You can now interact with Stacks dApps, DeFi platforms and other ecosystem features through Leather’s integration with MetaMask.
About Stacks
Stacks operates as a layer 2 blockchain that brings secure smart contracts and decentralized applications to Bitcoin. It unlocks more functionality for Bitcoin while benefiting from its base layer security.
By innovating solutions like Proof of Transfer and the Clarity programming language, Stacks effectively bridges Bitcoin to smarter contract platforms, NFT marketplaces, decentralized finance, and more. This expands Bitcoin’s capabilities beyond just payments.
When comparing Stacks to networks like Solana or Cardano, its defining advantage is building atop Bitcoin to inherit unmatched security and decentralization. Stacks enjoys a first-mover advantage in offering smart contracts for Bitcoin. However, it lags behind rival chains in activity metrics.
List of Stacks dApps
Here are some leading dApps, NFT platforms and DeFi protocols in the Stacks ecosystem:
- CityCoins: Bitcoin loyalty rewards
- Arkadiko: Algorithmic stablecoin protocol
- Friedger Pool: STX staking platform
- Strype: NFT marketplace built on Stacks
Conclusion
In summary, stacking MetaMask support for managing STX and accessing Stacks functionality requires specialized third-party wallet options like Leather. While MetaMask may eventually build out direct Stacks compatibility via an official “Snap,” Leather Wallet currently leads as the top integrated solution for Stacks users.
FAQs
Does MetaMask natively support the Stacks blockchain?
No, MetaMask does not offer default integration for Stacks and its assets given its specificity to Ethereum and the EVM.
What wallet should I use to add Stacks to MetaMask?
Leather Wallet (previously Hiro) is the premier choice for using Stacks in conjunction with MetaMask. It enables robust STX, dApp and token support alongside MetaMask.
How do I add Stacks to MetaMask?
You’ll first need to install Leather Wallet, fund it with STX, and connect it to MetaMask via WalletConnect. This bridges MetaMask to the Stacks blockchain via Leather Wallet.
