Add Optimism to MetaMask

1. Click “Add network” from the network menu
2. Add Optimism from the list of Popular custom networks
3. Approve adding the network on MetaMask.

Key Takeaways

• In this guide, we give you a visual guide on how you can download the MetaMask wallet, add the Optimism network to your MetaMask wallet, and add custom tokens on the network to your wallet.

• Optimism is a Layer 2 scaling solution for the Ethereum network. As an optimistic rollup, it saves users time and cost by packaging thousands of transactions and submit them as a single transaction to the main blockchain.

• Optimism has taken off since its launch, and users can connect to the network through Web3 wallets like wallets.

The Optimism mainnet launched on May 31, 2022, and has since then become one of the most popular rollups, with over 22% of total TVL across all rollups. Optimism is a Layer 2 network that functions as a separate execution layer on the Ethereum network, primarily handling transactions away from the mainnet. As a Layer 2 network, it enables scalability of the Ethereum chain by improving transaction speed and throughput, while reducing costs.

As an optimistic rollup, Optimism assumes off-chain transactions that take place on its network are valid, and bundles up thousands of transactions before submitting them to the Ethereum mainnet as a single transaction. However, in the event that transactions are not calculated correctly, anyone can challenge the results of an optimistic rollup transaction by computing a fraud proof during the seven day challenge period. Once the challenge period has ended, the rollup block is accepted and confirmed on Ethereum. 

As Optimism is an EVM network, you can connect to the network from your MetaMask or other similar wallets. MetaMask is available for desktop and mobile devices; the web extension is supported by Chrome, Opera, Brave, and Firefox browsers.

Installing the Metamask Wallet

On MetaMask’s page, select your device’s operating system and begin the installation.

For the MetaMask mobile wallet, the applications can also be downloaded on your device’s application store.

Complete the installation and proceed to add a wallet. Click Get started to proceed.

If you already have a wallet you wish to import to, click Import wallet. You will need your security phrase or private key to import existing wallets. Enter the security phrase or private key and complete the wallet import process.

To create a new wallet, click Create a wallet. Copy your wallet’s security phrase, set up your password, and complete the process. Ensure that you’ve stored your wallet’s secret recovery phrase safely, ideally offline and on crypto steel. 

Now that we’ve installed MetaMask and set up a wallet, we can now proceed to add the Optimism mainnet to the wallet. 

Manually Add the Optimism Network to Your MetaMask Wallet

On your MetaMask wallet, click on the network bar on the top left corner of your dashboard.

Select Add network from the pop-up window.

From the list of pre-installed networks on MetaMask, you can add Optimism directly (outlined in black), or proceed to enter details by clicking Add a network manually. 

In the form that pops up, fill in the following details.

• Network name: Optimism

• RPC URL: https://mainnet.optimism.io

• Chain ID: 10

• Currency: ETH

• Explorer: https://optimistic.etherscan.io

Click Save to complete.

You can now switch to the Optimism network when needed. Simply click the network dropdown at the top left corner of your wallet and select Optimism from the list.

Add Optimism to MetaMask Using Chainlist

Another way to add Optimism to your MetaMask is using Chainlist. Chainlist collates network details of EVM-compatible networks, and users can add available networks to their wallets directly through Chainlist. 

To add Optimism Network using Chainlist;

1. Visit Chainlist and connect your MetaMask Wallet.

2. Search ‘Optimism’ in the search bar at the top of the page. Ensure that the network details correspond to the verified Optimism network details.

3. Tap ‘Add to MetaMask’ and follow the prompt from your wallet to add the verified OP Mainnet information automatically to your wallet.

The Optimism mainnet is now available in your wallet; you can switch to the network and explore applications on the network. 

Add Optimism to MetaMask With Optimism Blockchain Explorer

You can also add Optimism to MetaMask through the Optimism blockchain explorer. At the bottom of the page, there is a button to Add OP Mainnet with a MetaMask icon

Clicking this button will open a popup on MetaMask, with a prompt to allow the site to add a network. Click Approve, and Optimism will be added to your list of MetaMask networks. 

Now, let’s add a native Optimism network token to the wallet.

Add Custom Optimism Network Token to MetaMask

For this guide, we will be obtaining a verified contract address for a native Optimism network token from CoinGecko. You can also obtain an asset’s smart contract address from any other platform, like the project’s website. We will be adding the OP token to our Optimism wallet on MetaMask.

1. Visit the OP token profile on CoinGecko and copy the token’s Optimism network contract.

On your wallet, ensure that your wallet is connected to the Optimism network

2. Click Import token to add OP token to your wallet.

3. Enter the token’s smart contract address in the provided input box. The asset’s details will populate automatically.

4. Click Add custom token to proceed

5. Click Import tokens to complete.

The OP token is now available in your wallet. You can now see your balances without using the network’s explorer, and you can click on the asset to send or receive.

You can follow this procedure to add more custom network tokens to your wallet.

Final Thoughts

The Optimism network is the second largest by TVL, with plenty of projects for users to explore, while offering users a cheaper alternative to the main Ethereum network. With more Layer 2s launching using the OP Stack, like Base and opBNB, there is likely to be more interest in Optimism as well. This guide is designed to help you get started on exploring the Optimism network by configuring your wallet. There are multiple ways to add the OP Mainnet to MetaMask, which are covered in this article. In the event you are using a different wallet to interact with the Optimism mainnet, do your own research to ensure that the network details are correct. 

Finally, note that this article is only for educational purposes and not financial advice.