MetaMask developer Consensys plans to add support for the Bitcoin network to the crypto wallet. CoinDesk reports this with reference to its own sources who know about the team’s plans.
According to reports, access to the Bitcoin blockchain may appear within the next month, that is, in June 2024. Most likely, the set of functions will be limited, but over time the list of capabilities will be expanded.
Note that the MetaMask crypto wallet has long gone beyond Ethereum. It supports a number of other networks, including Polygon, BNB Chain, Base, Avalanche, Arbitrum One and many others. However, this is the first time that the possible integration of the Bitcoin network has become known.
When asked to comment on plans to support the Bitcoin network, a Consensys representative responded:
“We are excited about MetaMask's commitment to embrace the world of Web3 and continually explore new features to improve usability and security. We are unable to confirm any specific development timelines at this time. Stay tuned for updates when we're ready to share them."
The source reports that MetaMask’s audience has more than 30 million monthly active users. Although the crypto wallet does not directly support the Bitcoin network, it uses an Ethereum-compatible ERC-20 token known as Wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC).
