Buying Ethereum (ETH) directly through MetaMask is one of the easiest ways to get started with crypto. Whether you’re preparing to explore DeFi, mint NFTs, or just want to hold some ETH, this guide covers how to buy Ethereum on MetaMask safely and easily.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
➤ MetaMask offers a simple and secure way to buy Ethereum (ETH) using various payment methods directly within the wallet.
➤ Ethereum is a programmable blockchain that powers smart contracts, DApps, and much of the web3 ecosystem.
➤ While ETH is a critical utility asset in DeFi and NFTs, its recent underperformance raises questions about its long-term growth.
➤ Investing in ETH depends on your goals, but it remains a foundational asset for anyone looking to participate in web3.
How to buy Ethereum on MetaMask
To buy Ethereum on MetaMask you must:
- Download and setup MetaMask.
- Go to the buy option and pick a payment method.
- Buy ETH.
Here’s a little more detail.
1. MetaMask is available as a browser extension (Chrome, Firefox, Brave) or a mobile app (iOS, Android). Follow the instructions below to generate a wallet.
Make sure to create a strong password and secure your secret recovery phrase. This is your only way to recover your funds if you lose access.
2. Open your MetaMask wallet and click the Buy & Sell button on the home screen.
3. If you buy Ethereum on the MetaMask browser, you will be routed to the MetaMask Portfolio. Here, you can press the Buy button and see three options to purchase from: Binance, Coinbase, and MetaMask.
4. On the following screen, you will see many options, including a Buy or Sell option, the currency, the asset you want to interact with, and payment methods. Enter the amount of crypto you want to buy. Ethereum (ETH) should be the default option. If it’s not, you can easily select it from the first box after you enter the amount.
6. Select your preferred payment method by clicking the second box after you enter the amount of ETH you want. You can select from debit, credit, Venmo, PayPal, or bank transfer. Press Continue to move forward.
You can also select See more quotes to ensure you are getting the best deal for the amount of money you are willing to spend. This option is updated in real-time and constantly changes to reflect current market prices.
7. After you have selected ETH, enter the amount you want to purchase, and select a payment method. MetaMask will then redirect you to the website of your chosen payment provider. Each provider will have its own process specific to its platform. After you complete these steps, you will have officially purchased Ethereum with MetaMask.
Don’t worry, most of the platforms will share similar processes, such as providing and confirming an email or phone number or possibly light KYC.
What is Ethereum (ETH)?
Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain that allows developers to build smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps). Ether (ETH) is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain.
Unlike Bitcoin (BTC), which primarily functions as a medium of exchange (MoE) or store of value (SoV), Ether is more like programmable money that you can use to pay for transactions, interact with DApps, and secure the network.
| Ethereum | Bitcoin | |
|---|---|---|
| Ticker | ETH | BTC |
| Sybil resistance | Proof-of-stake | Proof-of-work |
| Coin | Used to pay for transactions/liquidity for DeFi applications | Medium of exchange/store of value |
| Purpose | Permissionless world computer | Peer-to-peer payments |
| Max supply | Unlimited | 21 million BTC |
| Block times | 12-13 seconds | 10 minutes |
| Finality | Deterministic | Probablistic |
Vitalik Buterin, Gavin Wood, Joseph Lubin, and a group of other developers co-founded Ethereum and launched it in 2015. Their objective was to build a globally accessible world computer that anyone could access permissionlessly.
Did you know: Ethereum transitioned from a proof-of-work (PoW) to a proof-of-stake (PoS) mechanism in 2022, significantly reducing its energy usage and paving the way for future upgrades.
Because Ethereum supports a wide array of use cases, ETH is not just a digital currency — it’s a utility token, an investment asset, and a gateway to web3. If you’re planning to explore the crypto ecosystem, whether trading, minting NFTs, or using decentralized finance, holding ETH is usually the first step.
Should you invest in ETH?
ETH is the fuel behind much of today’s decentralized economy. Many investors see ETH as a long-term bet on the growth of blockchain infrastructure. But, should you invest in it?
One reason people invest in ETH is its central role in on-chain activity, particularly DeFi. Ethereum is the foundation for thousands of DApps and layer-2 (L2) protocols, and ETH is needed to pay for nearly all on-chain interactions on the Ethereum network. As adoption of decentralized services grows, demand for ETH may increase, potentially raising its long-term value.
Conversely, Ethereum (ETH) has faced notable challenges, underperforming compared to major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Solana in 2024-2025.
Many have attributed this stunted growth to a multitude of factors, including:
- Failure to scale the L1
- Prioritizing L2 networks over layer-1 (L1) users
- Ethereum is giving away its revenue via EIP-4844 (blobs)
- A reluctance from Ethereum leadership to embrace builders/applications
In response to these challenges, the Ethereum Foundation has initiated a strategic shift, focusing on enhancing layer-1 scalability and user experience. While some remain hopeful, given the pivot to prioritize users, many have already left for alternative ecosystems, hurting the thesis for ETH’s growth in utility.
Whether or not ETH is a good investment depends on your financial goals. However, you should keep in mind that while Ethereum remains the second most popular blockchain by market cap, it also faces many challenges that must be addressed if it wants to maintain this position.
ETH on MetaMask: An introduction to web3
Buying ETH via MetaMask is a smooth entry point into web3 ecosystems. Once your wallet is funded, you’re ready to explore everything from NFTs to DeFi protocols, all within a few clicks. Always remember to only use official MetaMask links and approved payment partners, never share your secret recovery phrase (MetaMask will never ask for it), and use secure internet connections when making crypto purchases.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Always do your own research (DYOR).
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