How to Add Cardano to MetaMask

The only possible way to add Cardano to MetaMask is by sending Binance-PEG ADA token. Read this guide to learn how to get ADA on MetaMask.

Cardano native network token cannot be added directly to MetaMask wallet.

The only possible way to add Cardano to MetaMask is by sending Binance pegged ADA token instead.

When it comes to non-custodial wallets, MetaMask is one of the leading name, and it is unarguably a popular cryptocurrency wallet.

The Cardano blockchain is an open-source, decentralized blockchain network that uses the proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism.

It facilitates transactions on its network using the native token on Cardano network.

If you’re a user who is currently exploring possible methods to add Cardano network to MetaMask, then you’re quite covered right here.

In this guide, you will learn how to get ADA on MetaMask browser wallet extension, and both Android or iOS mobile apps.

Let’s get started…

How to add ADA to MetaMask

As native ADA cannot be added in your MetaMask due to Cardano network incompatibility with the wallet, you can still use other alternative methods.

One of such methods is to send Binance pegged ADA to your MetaMask wallet, or via BSC (Binance Smart Chain) network.

Below are some of those alternative methods you can use to add Cardano (ADA) to your MetaMask wallet account.

Method 1: Add ADA To MetaMask via BSC

The first alternative method is by adding Binance-pegged ADA token to your wallet using Binance Smart Chain.

Do not send native Cardano tokens (ADA) to your MetaMask Binance network wallet address, because the two tokens are deployed on different blockchains even though they have the same value.

Sending native ADA token to MetaMask wallet may result in a permanent loss of fund.

You can only send Binance pegged ADA to your wallet on MetaMask using Binance Smart Chain (BEP20) network.

While this is not native Cardano blockchain token, the Binance pegged ADA version also carries the same value as the native token.

Each Binance-Pegged token is backed by the native coin in reserve, and all of their addresses are published publicly for auditing.

1 Binance-PEG ADA is same as one Cardano ADA, but just on a different blockchain.

You can also convert the Binance-PEG ADA to native ADA, or vice versa using the bridge on Binance exchange platform.

Now that you know how this works, let’s dive into the steps to add ADA (Binance-PEG ADA) to your Metamask wallet with BSC.

  1. Copy ADA contract address of the Binance pegged version
  2. Go-to your MetaMask wallet (If you have one already)
  3. Enter your wallet account password
  4. Select Binance Smart Chain network
  5. Click on ‘Import tokens’ option
  6. Paste the Contract Address you copied earlier
  7. Click on the ‘Add Custom Token’ button.

You have successfully added Binance pegged ADA to your MetaMask wallet account.

Method 2: Transfer ADA from Binance to MetaMask

You can also send ADA from Binance exchange wallet to Metamask via the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) mainnet.

To transfer Cardano from Binance to MetaMask, you need to add and enable BSC mainnet network on your wallet account.

Once that’s done, select the BSC network as default network, then you can send Binance-PEG ADA token to your MetaMask wallet using the following steps:

  1. Copy your Binance-PEG ADA wallet address from MetaMask
  2. Go-to your Binance account funding wallet
  3. Click on ‘Withdraw’ button
  4. Choose ‘Cardano ADA’ from the coin list
  5. Tap on ‘Send via Crypto Network’ (BEP20)
  6. Paste the wallet address in the correct field on the next page
  7. Select ‘BNB Smart Chain (BEP20)’ as the network to be used
  8. Enter the amount of ADA to be transferred
  9. Finally, tap on the ‘Withdrawal’ button.

Once that is done, you will see the Cardano (ADA) in your MetaMask web 3.0 wallet.

Wrapping up

If you were searching for a guide on how to add Cardano to MetaMask, I hope you found this guide helpful.

It’s currently impossible to add native Cardano token (ADA) to your MetaMask wallet.

Cardano is not an EVM-compatible blockchain, and Metamask can only be configured with blockchains that are compatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine.

However, you can add Binance-PEG ADA to your wallet via BSC network, by manually inputting correct contract address into your MetaMask account.

Alternatively, you can also exchange another cryptocurrency into the Binance pegged ADA, then send it directly to your wallet account.

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About The 'Staunch

I am a financial nerd with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance, but found digital currency and asset investment to be more lucrative. The Crypto Staunch website is established to help individuals learn how digital currency and assets work through in-depth articles. Go-to the about page to learn more.