Your wallet is about to undergo a significant redesign with the introduction of cross-chain Metamask Snaps, which is a development by Consensys. This new plugin will bring the ability to interact with different blockchain networks like Bitcoin and Solana directly into the MetaMask wallet. It’s going to make it easier and less opaque for users to sign transactions and understand the smart contract actions they are taking part in.
However, the seemingly unique move is not without its downside. Though they are designed to make transactions seamless, they will initially undergo security checks and must be whitelisted by the developers at Consensys. Initial user friendliness may also be limited, raising concerns about barriers to entry and user experience for those who are not tech-savvy.
What’s more captivating about these Snaps is the concept of creating a cross-communication between DApp developers and users, much like an app store model Apple uses for its devices. Snaps, being third-party entities, can provide regular project updates to users and save them the hassle of going to a separate website or social media to keep track of things. On paper, it sounds like a great idea to have your wallet serve as a direct line of communication with your investments, but in practice, it can lead to an inundation of notifications, possibly leading to more chaotic and less friendly user environments.
Another aspect to ponder upon is the MetaMask Flask, a tool specifically designed for developers. This might be slightly intimidating to general users who are not developers, raising concerns about how user-friendly and accessible this new feature may turn out to be for the wider audience.
The last intriguing features these Snaps will bring to your wallet are embedded wallets for other non-EVM chains including Bitcoin, Solana, and Avalanche. In theory, this enhances the functionality and interoperability of users’ wallets beyond just Ethereum, the blockchain that MetaMask has long been associated with.
As the world of decentralized applications and blockchain technology expands, these storefront-like wallets could be key in managing and making the most out of various blockchain networks. However, questions regarding user-friendliness, security checks, and the influx of notifications remain to be addressed as we await the release of MetaMask Snaps.
Source: Cointelegraph
