MetaMask, a popular Ethereum wallet interface that lets users manage their ether and ERC-20 tokens developed by ConsenSys, has recently announced it’s set to release a mobile app, a move various users have been waiting for.
The move was revealed at DevCon, an Ethereum-focused conference hosted by large organizations involved in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, including Ernst & Young, Microsoft, ShapeShift, and Blockfolio.
During the event, the MetaMask development team showcased the wallet’s mobile wallets for both Android and iOS. Joseph Lubin, the founder and CEO of ConsenSys, a blockchain software firm with over 1,100 employees, shared the development on Twitter.
The @metamask_io mobile app was just announced at #Devcon4! Everyone's favorite #Ethereum browser extension is coming to your phone. The team is focusing on not being 'just a wallet', but a portal to the world of all things #blockchain. https://t.co/3bvQXuF8gV pic.twitter.com/vcaIkkzcVS
— Joseph Lubin (@ethereumJoseph) October 31, 2018
So far, MetaMask has only been available as a browser extension for Google Chrome, Firefox, and the crypto-funded Brave browser. Since it was launched in early 2016, users have been asking for the wallet to be available on mobile devices.
Lubin’s words imply MetaMask’s mobile app won’t just let users hold their ERC-20 tokens, but will also allow them to interact with the so-called web 3.0 – with decentralized applications (dApps) built on top of ETH.
This means the app could serve as a type of store for decentralized applications, that’s set to allow users to run dApps like the popular CryptoKitties game on their mobile devices. It isn’t, however, the only one allowing users to do that.
Other DApp Browsers
There are currently a few dApp browsers available on the market, including some backed by large organizations. Leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance, in its first-ever acquisition, bought the Trust Wallet, a mobile wallet that supports Ethereum’s ether (ETH), as well as GoChain (GO), Wanchain (WAN), Ethereum Classic (ETC), POA Network, (POA) VeChain (VET), and now TRON (TRX).
Coinbase also has its own cryptocurrency wallet and dApp browser, the Coinbase Wallet. Back in August, the wallet gained its name after Toshi rebranded to it. It’s set to also support other popular cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, bitcoin cash, and litecoin.
Earlier this year, Opera introduced a mobile browser for Android devices with a built-in cryptocurrency wallet. While at first it only supported ETH and ERC-20 tokens, it later on added support for crypto-collectibles. A version of the wallet has been added to its desktop browser.
