Ethereum Developer Consensys Unveils ‘Snaps’ Add-Ons for MetaMask Browser

Consensys, one of the biggest developers for the Ethereum blockchain and the creator of the popular MetaMask crypto wallet, said it’s releasing a major new feature called “MetaMask Snaps,” allowing users to choose from a variety of app-like or add-on customizations for their browser extension.

According to the company, Snaps are “new features and functionality, created by third-party developers, that MetaMask users worldwide can install directly into their wallet.”

Previously, MetaMask users could only opt-in to new features built by MetaMask developers, but with this new development, users can now choose from a wider variety outside of the MetaMask landscape.

With the public launch, users will be able to choose from 34 Snaps, each providing various features such as clearer transaction insights, interoperability with non-EVM blockchains, and notifications that keep users informed on decentralized applications in their MetaMask accounts.

For example, Solflare, a crypto wallet provider focused on the Solana blockchain, is launching “Solana Snaps,” which will enable MetaMask users to manage their Solana holdings directly from their MetaMask accounts.

“Because of its different architecture, using Solana traditionally required installing dedicated wallets,” Solflare shared in a press release.

The snaps will be permissionless, meaning they do not need approval from MetaMask – unlike the way Apple vets its App Store – and developers maintain ownership over the creations and over their code.

“With Snaps, I think what really makes it interesting is that it’s something that you couldn’t do before with a wallet,” Montoya told CoinDesk.“There’s just nothing like it.”