How to Add Arbitrum to MetaMask Wallet

To fully engage with the vibrant ecosystem of Arbitrum, a leading Layer 2 scaling solution on Ethereum, follow our straightforward guide to learn how to connect Arbitrum One to your MetaMask wallet.

Arbitrum, standing at the forefront of Ethereum's Layer 2 scaling solutions, is revolutionizing the blockchain landscape with its innovative rollup technology. Designed to amplify Ethereum's throughput while minimizing costs, Arbitrum offers a seamless, scalable environment for decentralized applications (dApps), making it a beacon for developers and users alike.

Arbitrum features two public blockchains: Arbitrum One and Arbitrum Nova. Arbitrum One utilizes the Rollup protocol, storing raw transaction data on Ethereum L1. In contrast, Arbitrum Nova employs the AnyTrust protocol, which relies on a data availability committee (DAC).

In this article, we will primarily focus on connect Arbitrum One with MetaMask wallet and unlock a new realm of possibilities, from engaging with cutting-edge dApps to participating in lightning-fast transactions.

Arbitrum One’s total value locked (TVL) as of early April 2024 | Source: L2Beat

As of April 2024, Arbitrum has seen a significant surge in adoption, boasting a Total Value Locked (TVL) of over $18 billion and a market share of over 46% among Ethereum layer-2 networks, underscoring its growing influence in the Layer 2 space. This surge is attributed to its enhanced transaction efficiency and reduced gas fees, propelling an uptick in activity from both developers and users.

MetaMask, a web3 wallet renowned for bridging over 100 million users to the decentralized web, is your gateway to this burgeoning ecosystem. Its compatibility with Ethereum and other EVM-compatible blockchains positions it as an essential tool for navigating the decentralized landscape. This guide will provide you with the necessary steps to add Arbitrum to your MetaMask, enabling access to its diverse and innovative ecosystem.

As the leading Ethereum Layer-2 scaling solution, the Arbitrum network offers a multitude of benefits:

Enhanced Scalability and Speed: Arbitrum significantly boosts Ethereum's transaction throughput and speed, enabling faster transaction finality. The average throughput of Ethereum network is 20-40 TPS while Arbitrum can handle as much as 40,000 TPS. This scalability is essential for supporting high-volume dApps and creating a more seamless user experience, addressing one of the primary challenges faced by the Ethereum mainnet.
Cost Efficiency with Reduced Gas Fees: By processing transactions off-chain and batching them for finalization on Ethereum, Arbitrum dramatically lowers gas fees. This cost efficiency makes participating in DeFi protocols and trading on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) more accessible to a broader audience. While Ethereum’s average gas fees exceed $1, the average gas fees on Arbitrum are around $0.0008.
Seamless Developer Integration: Arbitrum is fully compatible with Ethereum’s tooling and smart contracts, requiring minimal modifications for developers. This ease of migration and development fosters a vibrant ecosystem of innovative dApps, leveraging Ethereum's security while benefiting from Arbitrum's enhanced performance.
Robust Security and Decentralization: Maintaining Ethereum's high-security standards, Arbitrum ensures that transactions remain secure and trustless. It supports the decentralization ethos of the blockchain community, providing a transparent and equitable environment for all users and developers.
Ecosystem Growth and Interoperability: The growing adoption of Arbitrum has cultivated a diverse and dynamic ecosystem, enriching the network with over 300 projects across DeFi, NFTs, and beyond. Its design for interoperability promotes seamless interactions within the Ethereum landscape, contributing to the overall health and expansion of the blockchain ecosystem.

ARB, an ERC-20 token, serves as the governance token for the Arbitrum DAO. ARB token holders can vote on governance proposals affecting the Arbitrum One and Arbitrum Nova chains.

Before integrating Arbitrum into your MetaMask wallet, ensure your wallet is set up and ready. If you're new, visit MetaMask's official website, select the appropriate version for your device, and follow the setup instructions. Secure your unique recovery phrase safely.

Learn how to set up a new MetaMask wallet.

To add Arbitrum to MetaMask, simply log in to MetaMask, navigate to the network dropdown menu, select "Add Network," and choose Arbitrum from the list of well-known networks.

If you are unable to find the Arbitrum network listed in the available options in your wallet, you can use the Add Custom Network feature to add the Arbitrum layer-2 network to your MetaMask wallet. Here’s how to do this:

Step 1: Gather Arbitrum Network Details

You need specific information to add Arbitrum to MetaMask, including the Network Name, New RPC URL, Chain ID, Currency Symbol, and Block Explorer URL. This information is readily available in the official Arbitrum documentation or respected crypto platforms, such as Coinmarketcap.

Step 2: Configure MetaMask for Arbitrum L2

To connect your MetaMask to Arbitrum's mainnet, follow these steps:

Open MetaMask: Launch the MetaMask extension on your device.
Access Network Selection: Click on the network dropdown at the extension's top to see available networks.
Add New Network: Click "Add network" to begin adding a new one.
Manual Network Addition: Select "Add a network manually" to enter the necessary details for connecting to the Arbitrum mainnet.
Enter Network Details: Fill in the Arbitrum network details as follows:

Network Name: Arbitrum One
RPC URL: https://arb1.arbitrum.io/rpc
Chain ID: 42161
Currency Symbol: ETH
Block Explorer URL: https://arbiscan.io/

Save and Connect: After entering the details, click "Save" to add Arbitrum as a custom network. MetaMask will automatically update your list of networks.

Arbitrum will now be part of your network selection dropdown, enabling you to explore its extensive ecosystem.

Step 3: Engaging with the Arbitrum Ecosystem

With Arbitrum added to your MetaMask, a vast landscape of dApps and DeFi platforms is at your fingertips. Arbitrum's ecosystem spans various sectors, offering limitless opportunities for interaction and exploration.

Arbitrum, built atop Ethereum, utilizes ETH for transaction fees, streamlining the user experience. Before diving into the Arbitrum ecosystem, ensure you have ETH in your wallet, available for purchase on exchanges like KuCoin or directly through MetaMask.

MetaMask simplifies network switching. Click the network selection dropdown at the top of the interface and choose your desired network, seamlessly navigating between Ethereum, Arbitrum, or any other added network.

While MetaMask is a preferred choice for many, exploring other wallets that support Arbitrum, like Rainbow, Coinbase Wallet, Zerion, or Taho Wallet, can enrich your blockchain journey with unique functionalities. These alternatives not only provide access to the Arbitrum ecosystem but also offer distinct features catering to various user preferences, from enhanced security protocols to user-friendly interfaces.

Integrating Arbitrum into your MetaMask wallet is a gateway to unlocking the extensive capabilities of Ethereum's Layer 2 ecosystem. Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effortlessly connect to Arbitrum and embark on a journey through its rich ecosystem of dApps and platforms.