NEW: MetaMask Now Supports Bitcoin ($BTC)
MetaMask has taken a major step toward becoming a true multichain wallet with the launch of native Bitcoin ($BTC) support. For the first time, users can hold, send, swap, and buy Bitcoin directly within MetaMask, alongside their Ethereum and Solana assets. This update marks a significant shift for one of the most widely used crypto wallets, long associated primarily with Ethereum and EVM-compatible networks. Bitcoin Joins MetaMask’s Multichain Wallet With this rollout, every new MetaMask account now automatically generates a Bitcoin address. This change is part of MetaMask’s new multichain account structure, which creates EVM, Bitcoin, and Solana addresses under a single account. In practice, this means users no longer need separate wallets just to manage BTC and ETH. “When you create a new MetaMask account, a Bitcoin address is automatically generated for you.” MetaMask’s Bitcoin integration uses the Native SegWit derivation path by default. This is a widely adopted Bitcoin standard that offers lower transaction fees and better efficiency compared to legacy formats. At launch, MetaMask only supports Native SegWit for Bitcoin accounts, meaning any imported BTC wallet must follow the same derivation path to work correctly. Importing Existing Bitcoin Wallets Users who already hold Bitcoin in another wallet are not left out. MetaMask allows the import of existing Bitcoin accounts using a 12- or 24-word Secret Recovery Phrase (SRP) or a compatible secret key. Once imported, MetaMask restores all supported accounts tied to that phrase, including Bitcoin, Solana, and EVM addresses. This unified approach removes friction for users managing assets across different blockchains. Instead of juggling multiple wallet apps, balances can now be monitored and managed from one interface. Finding and Using Your Bitcoin Address Bitcoin addresses are accessible directly within MetaMask on both the browser extension and mobile app. Users can view their BTC address from the address dropdown under their account name, copy it with a single click, or display a QR code for transfers. That address can be used to receive BTC from centralized exchanges like UEEx or Binance, from other Bitcoin wallets. Once a transaction is confirmed on the Bitcoin network, the balance appears automatically in MetaMask. Swapping, Sending, and Buying BTC MetaMask’s Bitcoin support goes beyond simple storage. Users can now interact with BTC using familiar wallet features. Swapping to Bitcoin MetaMask’s built-in swap tool allows users to convert assets from Ethereum or Solana ecosystems directly into BTC. For example, ETH on Ethereum can be swapped into Bitcoin by selecting Bitcoin as the destination network and BTC as the asset. Once confirmed, the BTC balance updates after the transaction settles. “Bitcoin transactions are much slower than Ethereum or Solana networks.” This reminder is critical for new users. Unlike Ethereum or Solana, Bitcoin prioritizes security and decentralization over speed, so confirmations can take longer. Sending BTC Sending Bitcoin from MetaMask works the same way as receiving it. Users simply paste their MetaMask Bitcoin address into the sender wallet or exchange and confirm the transfer. MetaMask currently only supports Native SegWit addresses, so sending from incompatible address formats may result in issues. Buying Bitcoin with Fiat MetaMask also enables direct BTC purchases using local currency. Depending on the user’s region, payment options may include debit or credit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, or Apple Pay. After selecting Bitcoin and confirming a quote, the purchased BTC appears in the wallet once the transaction is completed. Why This Update Matters Bitcoin and Ethereum were designed with different goals and architectures. Bitcoin proved that a decentralized, trustless digital currency could work on a global scale. Ethereum expanded that idea by introducing programmable smart contracts and decentralized applications. “The Bitcoin network was, in many ways, the ‘proof of concept’ for public blockchain technology.” Each blockchain has its own native currency used for transactions and network activity. Bitcoin uses BTC, while Ethereum uses ETH. Because of technical differences in how these networks are built, assets cannot be sent directly from one blockchain to another without special mechanisms like wrapped tokens. MetaMask’s native Bitcoin support does not change those fundamentals, but it simplifies how users interact with them. Instead of relying on wrapped BTC or third-party wallets, users can now manage real BTC directly within MetaMask. A Shift in MetaMask’s Role This move signals a broader change in MetaMask’s identity. What started as an Ethereum-focused wallet is becoming a general-purpose gateway for major blockchains. By supporting Bitcoin and Solana under one account structure, MetaMask positions itself as a central hub for users navigating a multi-chain crypto environment. For everyday users, the benefit is convenience. For the broader crypto space, it reflects a growing push toward interoperability without forcing blockchains to compromise their core design principles. MetaMask supporting Bitcoin is not just a feature update—it is a statement. One wallet, multiple chains, and fewer barriers between the world’s most important cryptocurrencies.
Trust Wallet Now Offers Zero Swap Gas Fees on Ethereum With New Gas Sponsorship Support
Trust Wallet has introduced a new gas sponsorship feature that removes one of the most frustrating barriers in crypto transactions: the need to hold native tokens just to complete a swap. The self-custody wallet announced that users can now swap tokens on Ethereum even with a zero ETH balance, as Trust Wallet automatically covers the gas fees when certain conditions are met. The update is designed to reduce failed transactions and make on-chain activity more accessible, particularly for users making smaller swaps or newcomers unfamiliar with gas mechanics. “Gas Sponsorship is a new feature that lets you swap crypto even when your wallet has 0 native balance.” How the Gas Sponsorship Works Gas fees have long been a pain point for Ethereum users. Even when a wallet holds enough tokens to trade, transactions often fail due to insufficient ETH to pay network fees. Trust Wallet’s new system detects when a user’s native balance is too low and steps in to sponsor the gas automatically, removing the need for manual top-ups. “Trust Wallet detects when your balance is empty and pays the gas fee for you. Instantly.” On Ethereum, users can access up to four gas-sponsored swaps per day, with a minimum swap value of $50. The feature is also live on BNB Chain and Solana, where the limits differ. BNB Chain allows up to four sponsored swaps daily with no minimum amount, while Solana requires a minimum swap value of around $200. Currently, the sponsorship covers swaps, with support for token transfers (send transactions) expected in a future update. Supported Networks and Limits Trust Wallet confirmed that the feature is available across three major blockchains: Why This Matters for Crypto Users While gas fees may seem minor to experienced users, they often become a dealbreaker for beginners. Being forced to acquire ETH, BNB, or SOL just to move existing assets creates unnecessary friction and confusion. “If you’ve ever tried to make a swap and got stopped by a ‘not enough gas’ message, you know how frustrating it feels.” By removing this obstacle, Trust Wallet is positioning gas sponsorship as a new standard for Web3 wallets, aiming to make self-custody feel as seamless as traditional financial apps. “Gas may seem like a small detail, but for many, it’s the difference between using crypto and giving up on it.” The update is expected to improve transaction success rates, lower entry barriers, and attract more users to on-chain activity—especially on Ethereum, where gas costs have historically limited participation.
TODAY: CME Group Has Launched Spot-Quoted $XRP and $SOL Futures
CME Group, the world’s largest derivatives marketplace, has expanded its cryptocurrency product suite with the launch of Spot-Quoted futures for XRP and Solana (SOL). The new contracts mark another step in CME’s strategy to offer crypto-linked instruments that more closely reflect real-time market pricing while remaining within a fully regulated framework. The launch follows the strong uptake of CME’s Spot-Quoted Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) futures, which debuted earlier this year and have already recorded more than 1.3 million contracts traded. With XRP and SOL now added, CME is extending the same structure to two of the most actively traded altcoins in the market. Designed to Track Spot Prices More Closely Unlike traditional futures contracts that often trade at a premium or discount due to financing costs and time to expiry, Spot-Quoted futures are structured to track the spot price directly. Any financing adjustments are applied separately at settlement, allowing traders to view and manage positions in familiar spot-market terms. This structure also comes with a longer-dated expiry, which reduces the need for frequent rollovers—an issue that can add cost and complexity for active traders and institutions managing longer-term positions. Commenting on the expansion, Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products at CME Group, said the decision was driven by clear market demand: “We’ve seen strong demand for our current Spot-Quoted Bitcoin and Ether futures, with more than 1.3 million contracts traded since launched in June, and we are pleased to add XRP and SOL to our offering.” He added that the new products are intentionally smaller in size than CME’s existing crypto contracts, making them more accessible: “Designed for the everyday trader, the size of these contracts — our smallest yet within our Crypto complex — will provide greater precision and market accessibility to clients, while also being quoted in terms they are already familiar with.” Strong Momentum From Existing Spot-Quoted Futures CME’s Spot-Quoted Bitcoin and Ether futures have shown accelerating activity since launch. Average daily volume (ADV) stands at around 11,300 contracts since inception, rising to 18,400 contracts in the fourth quarter. December alone recorded an ADV of approximately 35,300 contracts, while a single-day record of 60,700 contracts was set on November 24. These figures appear to have given CME the confidence to broaden the product line to XRP and SOL, two assets that have seen growing institutional interest across derivatives, options, and exchange-traded products. The new Spot-Quoted XRP and SOL futures are listed on CME and CBOT and are available alongside futures tied to major U.S. equity indices, including the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, Russell 2000, and Dow Jones Industrial Average. Trading at Settlement Activated for XRP and SOL Alongside the launch, CME has also enabled Trading at Settlement (TAS) for XRP, SOL, and their respective Micro futures. TAS allows traders to execute contracts at a spread to the 4:00 p.m. ET settlement price before that price is known. This mechanism is widely used by professional market participants to manage execution risk, particularly around net asset value (NAV) calculations linked to crypto ETFs. TAS also supports block trades and anonymous execution through the CME Globex order book, giving traders more flexibility in how they enter or exit positions. Broader Crypto Derivatives Expansion The Spot-Quoted futures rollout builds on CME’s broader push into crypto derivatives. In October, the exchange introduced options on SOL, Micro SOL, XRP, and Micro XRP futures, offering daily, monthly, and quarterly expiries. These additions have expanded the toolkit available to traders looking to hedge, speculate, or structure more advanced strategies around major digital assets. For XRP specifically, CME is positioning both standard and Micro contracts as a capital-efficient way to gain exposure while benefiting from transparent price discovery and centralized clearing. Contracts are settled using CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rates, reinforcing the exchange’s emphasis on standardized and regulated benchmarks. A Regulated Gateway for Crypto Exposure As crypto markets continue to attract institutional capital, CME’s regulated environment remains a key differentiator. All Spot-Quoted futures are subject to CME and CBOT rules and operate under the oversight of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This structure allows participants to trade XRP and SOL exposure with clearer risk management and counterparty protections than many offshore venues. With XRP and SOL now joining Bitcoin and Ether in the Spot-Quoted lineup, CME Group is signaling that demand for regulated, spot-aligned crypto derivatives is no longer limited to the largest two digital assets. For traders and institutions alike, the latest launch offers another pathway to engage with crypto markets—without stepping outside the familiar framework of traditional futures trading.”