While Ethereum has been sold for several years, NFTs derived from the Ether technology only truly became mainstream in 2021. Websites like OpenSea are becoming more popular as people buy and look for NFTs. Before buying one, however, you’ll need a cryptocurrency wallet such as MetaMask.
Creating a MetaMask wallet and account isn’t enough, as you’ll have to connect it to your OpenSea account too. If you’re searching for instructions, keep reading to find all the details you need to know.
OpenSea: How to Connect MetaMask
Before we start with the steps, we’ll introduce both services for any newcomers. As cryptocurrencies involve money, it’s essential to be careful before delving into the community.
What Is OpenSea?
OpenSea is the first decentralized NFT marketplace available. It was founded by Alex Atallah and Devin Finzer in January 2018, when they decided that the world was ready for an NFT marketplace. The marketplace wasn’t a household name until 2021 when NFTs exploded in popularity and notoriety.
You can find plenty of NFTs in OpenSea, including these digital items:
- Pictures
- Digital art pieces
- Domain names
- Music
- Trading cards
To buy, sell, or trade for NFTs on OpenSea, you’ll need access to a cryptocurrency wallet such as MetaMask. The main currency on OpenSea is Ethereum, but other currencies are also supported.
Buying and selling on OpenSea is highly secure, and you don’t even have to trust the other party. If you pay, you get the NFT.
OpenSea operates on the “Wyvern Protocol,” a series of smart contracts that ensure you get your cryptocurrency after selling your NFT and vice versa. It has been battle-tested and proven secure for these significant transactions.
What Is MetaMask?
While we refer to MetaMask as a cryptocurrency wallet, it’s also a web browser extension that you can use with Google Chrome or other Chromium-based browsers. Brave and Microsoft Edge are two excellent examples.
Founder Aaron Davis and a blockchain company called ConsenSys released MetaMask to the general public in 2016. Since then, it has gained over one million users.
Unlike some cryptocurrency wallets, MetaMask specializes in Ethereum and other ETH-based tokens. Thus, you should have no problem purchasing and storing Ethereum and related cryptocurrencies.
When you connect MetaMask to OpenSea, you can start purchasing NFTs.
Installing MetaMask
The first step in this process is downloading and installing MetaMask for your browser. No matter the browser, the steps should be identical. Here’s how to get MetaMask:
- On your preferred browser, download the official MetaMask extension.
- Install and enable the extension.
- Click on “Get Started.”
- Select “Create A Wallet” to continue.
- Choose to send MetaMask data or not.
- Create and confirm a secure password.
- Write down your backup phrase and keep it somewhere safe.
- Confirm your backup phrase.
- Select “All Done” and log in automatically.
At this point, you can leave and come back later if you decide to wait before purchasing some Ethereum. If you somehow get logged out, you only have to click on the MetaMask icon to the right of your URL bar to re-access your account.
You’ll need to have some Ethereum in your MetaMask wallet before you can create an OpenSea account. To buy some Ethereum, you’ll have to sign up for an account on a cryptocurrency exchange platform like Coinbase. By connecting your MetaMask wallet to the platform, you can receive your new Ethereum.
However, there’s a waiting period of up to 15 days before you can send the Ethereum to MetaMask. Thus, it’s better to start earlier.
Your Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies are stored on MetaMask rather than OpenSea. Usually, Metamask is a purely digital affair, but hardware wallets also exist.
Hardware wallets are devices that contain your private keys. Unlike software wallets, your data is not connected to the internet. Someone could access your keys only by stealing the hardware wallet from your person or home physically.
MetaMask is compatible with Trezor and Ledger wallets. This feature is only available for PC users for now.
Signing Up for OpenSea With MetaMask
Signing up for OpenSea is done by connecting your MetaMask or another cryptocurrency wallet to the website. You don’t make an account before signing up for a wallet, which is why we listed these instructions later.
- Go to the OpenSea website.
- Click on the Profile icon at the top-right.
- Select the MetaMask option from the wallet list.
- Link the MetaMask wallet you have to OpenSea.
- Click on “Next.”
- Add your email address, username, and more.
You can always change your details later, such as profile pictures, username, and other parts of your OpenSea profile.
Buying an NFT on OpenSea
After you connect your MetaMask wallet to OpenSea, you can start browsing the marketplace. OpenSea neatly divides NFTs into specific categories. Browsing by price is also possible if you’re on a budget.
Here’s how to start shopping on OpenSea:
- Log into your OpenSea account.
- Click on “Explore.”
- Select “All NFTs.”
- Look for one that catches your eye.
- Click on the NFT.
- Select “Buy Now.”
- Check the box to agree to OpenSea’s terms.
- Click on “Checkout.”
MetaMask will then appear, confirming your transaction. You’ll also see the gas costs which come with all purchases. Gas costs or gas fees are an amount you pay to keep the Ethereum network running. Transactions will often state how much the gas fees are before you pay. Once you accept the purchase, it will take several moments before you can look for the purchase on the Ethereum blockchain.
The Etherscan link MetaMask gives you will direct you to the blockchain. This will also give you proof of your purchase.
After some time, you can find your new NFT in your OpenSea profile and MetaMask wallet.
Additional FAQs
Why Won’t OpenSea Connect to MetaMask?
Sometimes, OpenSea might not allow you to connect to MetaMask. This can happen if you enter incorrect details. If you know you entered your information correctly, try these solutions:
• Exit your browser.
• Clear caches.
• Reconnect to the internet.
These steps may solve the problem, especially if it’s only a network issue. If not, you’ll have to contact customer service.
Does OpenSea Have an App?
Yes, OpenSea does have apps for iOS and Android. The caveat is you can’t buy NFTs from the app; you can only browse. To buy NFTs, you’ll have to log in to your account on a computer first.
A potential reason is that Apple and Google will take a cut of any purchases made in apps on their app stores. Another is that Ethereum isn’t supported on either platform.
Look at My New Profile Picture
While most NFTs today are images, they come in many other formats. OpenSea has a wealth of NFTs ready to be purchased, and you only have to connect MetaMask and some Ethereum. Once you do that, you’ll be able to make your first or newest purchase.
Have you bought any NFTs on OpenSea? What type of NFT is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below.
