MetaMask Snaps has brought new functionality to MetaMask wallets. Users can now access multiple layer-1 blockchains with no need to download different wallets or extensions.
This feature enabled the wallet app, primarily Ethereum based, to be interoperable other layer-1 Blockchains such as Bitcoin and Solana chains.
Christian Montoya – the MetaMask Snaps global product leader – said that Snaps can achieve this by using addresses derived from other blockchains.
“We can derive from a Cosmos address, so rather than going to a bridge that allows you to transfer tokens from Ethereum to Cosmos, you can just do that within MetaMask and the Cosmos Snap that you install into MetaMask,” Montoya revealed to Blockworks during an interview. “The addresses you’re using to bridge from one way to another are within MetaMask and fully self-custodial.”
Snaps, as a result of this feature, could increase traffic between chains by providing users with easy access to bridges.
The Cosmos MetaMask Snap, one of 36 Snaps currently available in Open Beta is the Snap that was made during this period.
MetaMask has become one of the top crypto wallets in recent years. CoinGecko reported that, by August 1, 2023 a total number of 22,66 millions users installed MetaMask. MetaMask is now the most popular crypto wallet. Coinbase Wallet is the second most popular wallet on installation. It only has 11 million users.
Why Agoric’s hardened Javascript in Cosmos Snaps?
Hardened JavaScript was chosen by the team to work with other applications, without having to compromise security.
Dean Tribble is the CEO and founder of Agoric. He told Blockworks about his research team’s efforts to improve JavaScript security. His previous work with MetaMask was on extensibility.
“Agoric was founded around this: how do you harden JavaScript, how do you safely run confined components written by other people when you don’t trust them,” Tribble said.
Tribble is referring to Hardened JavaScript – formerly known as SES. “JavaScript you thought you were programming in.”
Tribble explained how JavaScript can be changed by different libraries. Hardened JavaScript locks the language down to the specification.
“It gets rid of a few things like non-determinism, but it makes it much better suited for blockchain uses, and it was really the hardening in the ability to run third-party components that got [MetaMask co-founders] excited about it,” Tribble said.
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