Popular Ethereum Wallet and DApp Bridge Metamask Launches Mobile App

The @metamask_io mobile app was just announced at #Devcon4! Everyone's favorite #Ethereum browser extension is coming to your phone. The team is focusing on not being 'just a wallet', but a portal to the world of all things #blockchain. https://t.co/3bvQXuF8gV pic.twitter.com/vcaIkkzcVS

— Joseph Lubin (@ethereumJoseph) October 31, 2018

First launched in 2016, MetaMask is currently accessible through browser extensions on Chromium and Firefox-based browsers. The extension acts as a bridge between normal browsers and the Ethereum blockchain. MetaMask gained popularity amongst Ethereum and ERC-20 users due to its simple user interface. With over 1.3 million downloads and over 500,000 active users, MetaMask now has 18 full-time employees. Its users have long been asking for a mobile-friendly version of the extension. In fact, a vast majority of Ethereum users now rely on MetaMask as their primary Ethereum and ERC-20 wallet.

MetaMask Mobile: Increased Security

Since mobile operating systems are much more secure than their desktop counterparts, MetaMask believes that its mobile apps offer a distinct advantage over the extension-only approach. Moreover, most cryptocurrency users already have a preference for mobile wallets. A mobile app gives them increased flexibility and a greater degree of control over their funds. MetaMask’s browser extension previously communicated with the Ethereum ledger through a system called Infura. The system’s primary limitation was that it had to trust other computers to keep itself up to date with the Ethereum blockchain. On November 2, 2018, Metamask added a “privacy mode” to its desktop extension to prevent exposing account addresses to websites. According to the announcement post, the mobile application is here to reduce dependency on middlemen such as Infura. In order to block phishing and other scams that attempt to steal user passwords and cryptocurrency holdings, MetaMask says that it will support integrations with hardware wallets like Trezor and Ledger.

Stiff Competition in the DApp Browser Space?

Until now, there were only a few decentralized applications browsers available on the market, some backed by large organizations. On July 31, 2018, leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance announced its acquisition of Trust Wallet, a mobile wallet application that supports tokens belonging to Ethereum, GoChain, Wanchain, Ethereum Classic, POA Network, VeChain, and TRON. Coinbase also has its own cryptocurrency wallet with an integrated decentralized application browser called the Coinbase Wallet. MetaMask Mobile, on the other hand, is compatible with open protocols like WalletConnect. This ensures that users can connect to desktop DApps with mobile wallets via a simple QR code. With MetaMask finally deciding to expand its reach to the mobile ecosystem, do you think decentralized applications are now more accessible for the average user? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.