The Web3 landscape just got a major upgrade: MetaMask, one of the most widely used crypto wallets, is now fully compatible with the NEAR Protocol through the innovative NEAR Snap. This integration marks a pivotal moment in blockchain interoperability, allowing users to seamlessly interact with NEAR’s high-performance, developer-friendly ecosystem directly from their MetaMask wallet.
Thanks to the new NEAR Snap, MetaMask users can now create NEAR accounts, sign native NEAR transactions, and access decentralized applications (dApps) on the NEAR blockchain—all without leaving their familiar wallet interface.
👉 Discover how to connect your wallet to next-gen blockchains effortlessly.
Developed by the team behind HERE Wallet—led by Petr Volnov and Andrey Zhevlakov—and supported by the Banyan Collective, NEAR Snap is part of MetaMask’s expanding Snap ecosystem. Snaps are modular, third-party extensions that enhance MetaMask’s functionality beyond Ethereum and EVM-compatible chains, enabling support for non-EVM blockchains like NEAR, Solana, Cosmos, Bitcoin, Sui, Aptos, and more.
This advancement significantly lowers the barrier to entry for Web3 users who want to explore multiple ecosystems without managing multiple wallets.
Why This Integration Matters
While Aurora, an EVM-compatible layer built on NEAR, has long allowed MetaMask connectivity, NEAR Snap is the first solution to enable native support for NEAR’s non-EVM architecture within MetaMask. That means users aren’t just interacting with a wrapped or bridged version of NEAR—they’re engaging with the actual NEAR Protocol using its native transaction format.
This leap forward enhances cross-chain interoperability, giving developers and users alike a smoother, more unified Web3 experience. Whether you're a developer building multi-chain dApps or a user exploring new ecosystems, this integration simplifies access and reduces friction.
Unlocking New Capabilities on NEAR
The initial release of NEAR Snap opens up powerful new functionalities:
- Create a
.nearaccount directly from MetaMask - Sign native NEAR transactions securely
- Interact with NEAR-based dApps via HERE Wallet Connector
- Maintain full control over your identity and keys
But this is just the beginning. The NEAR Builders community is actively working on expanding the capabilities of NEAR Snap by developing BOS (Blockchain Operating System) components. These will allow for web-wallet-like experiences through customizable gateways—not only for NEAR Snap but for other wallets in the ecosystem as well.
Additionally, dApp developers can easily integrate NEAR Snap into their platforms using the open-source NEAR Wallet Selector, streamlining user onboarding and authentication across the NEAR ecosystem.
👉 Start exploring multi-chain dApps with a secure, integrated wallet experience.
How to Use NEAR Applications with MetaMask
Getting started with NEAR Snap is simple. Follow these steps to begin using NEAR-based applications directly from your MetaMask wallet:
- Ensure you have MetaMask installed as a browser extension.
- Visit my.herewallet.app.
- Click on “I Already Have An Account”.
- Select “MetaMask Snap”.
Confirm several setup transactions in your MetaMask extension:
- “Third-party software notice”
- “Connection Request”
- “Installation Request”
- “Sign Message”
- Choose your unique
.nearusername (a nickname for your account). - Approve requests to share public data, set your nickname, and sign messages.
- Begin using any dApp that supports NEAR Snap via the HERE Connector.
Once connected, you can explore DeFi platforms, NFT marketplaces, gaming apps, and more on the NEAR network—all powered through your trusted MetaMask interface.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Isn’t MetaMask already supported on NEAR through Aurora?
Yes—but with limitations. Aurora is an EVM-compatible blockchain running on NEAR, which allows MetaMask to interact with it by switching networks. However, Aurora only supports EVM-based operations. The NEAR Snap enables direct interaction with NEAR’s native, non-EVM environment, unlocking access to the full breadth of NEAR’s ecosystem and its unique sharding architecture.
What does NEAR Snap mean for the Blockchain Operating System (BOS)?
NEAR Snap can be integrated into BOS gateways, enabling a unified experience where users can access both EVM and non-EVM functionalities from a single wallet. Moreover, BOS helps overcome the lack of a native graphical interface (GUI) for Snaps by providing front-end components that make wallet interactions intuitive and seamless—not just for NEAR but for future chain integrations too.
How is NEAR Snap different from NETH by Proximity?
NETH is a smart contract solution that links an Ethereum account to a corresponding NEAR account, acting as a proxy to let you manage NEAR assets via MetaMask. However, it operates within an EVM context and has functional constraints.
In contrast, NEAR Snap runs as a lightweight app inside MetaMask and allows you to sign true NEAR-native transactions (NEAR-view), offering deeper integration and broader functionality—though it doesn’t appear as a standalone network where you can view balances independently.
Can I use other wallets besides MetaMask with NEAR Snap?
Currently, NEAR Snap is designed specifically for MetaMask. However, the underlying technology paves the way for similar integrations across other wallet platforms in the future, especially as the Snap ecosystem grows.
Is my private key exposed when using NEAR Snap?
No. Your Ethereum private keys remain secure within MetaMask and are never shared with the NEAR Snap or any external service. The Snap uses cryptographic signatures to verify identity while preserving user privacy and control.
What’s the difference between NEAR Snap and Remote Accounts on NEAR?
Remote Accounts aim to let users sign transactions on other blockchains using their NEAR wallet—essentially reversing the flow. It's still in development and discussed in NEP-498 on GitHub. In contrast, NEAR Snap currently focuses on enabling external wallets like MetaMask to interact with the NEAR blockchain, making it complementary rather than overlapping.
👉 See how next-generation wallet integrations are shaping the future of Web3.
Final Thoughts
The launch of NEAR Snap represents a major milestone in Web3 interoperability. By bridging MetaMask—the gateway for millions of crypto users—with the scalable, user-centric NEAR Protocol, this integration empowers both developers and everyday users to move fluidly across ecosystems.
As Snaps continue to evolve, we’re moving closer to a world where wallet fragmentation becomes obsolete, and seamless cross-chain experiences become the norm.
Whether you're diving into DeFi, creating NFTs, or building decentralized apps, NEAR Snap makes it easier than ever to do more with your digital identity—all from the comfort of your existing tools.
Core Keywords: MetaMask, NEAR Protocol, NEAR Snap, blockchain interoperability, Web3 wallet, decentralized applications (dApps), BOS, HERE Wallet