Dialogue with MetaMask Product Manager: Possible expansion beyond EVM, no plans for token issuance.

Original Author: Decrypt

Translation: GaryMa Wu Block Chain

Note: This article is a transcription of the content of the video interview, and in the process of transcription, some adjustments and refinements have been made to the content. We recommend readers to refer to the original video for more comprehensive information while reading this article.

Interviewer: Liam J. Kelly, Decrypt News Editor

Interviewee: Alex Jupiter, Product Lead of MetaMask

Q: Besides mentioning L2 at the EtherCC Conference, another important topic you discussed was "account abstraction," which aims to make cryptocurrency wallets more intelligent. The field of cryptocurrency wallets has seen a lot of competitors entering, hoping to gain more market share from MetaMask. Some people have been criticizing MetaMask, claiming that it lacks innovation and should strive to surpass its current capabilities in order to gain more market share. What is your response to these critics who believe that there is still room for improvement for MetaMask?

A: We have always been committed to improving MetaMask. Our vision is far from complete, and we have a very dedicated team that works tirelessly every day to enhance this wallet. Competition is a driving force for us, pushing us to constantly progress in terms of account abstraction. Ethereum has two types of accounts:

● EOA, which stands for externally owned accounts, and MetaMask is based on this type, which signs transactions with private keys. If you lose your private keys, you will lose access to all your assets;

● Smart contract wallets, which have been around for quite some time.

Now, with innovations like Gnosis Safe, more advanced features become possible. These wallets are considered more intelligent because they offer solutions like multisig and social recovery. However, we cannot overlook the benefits brought by EOA, such as complete non-custodial control and user-friendliness, just by remembering these keys. It also ensures high scalability. Nevertheless, we are actively exploring new solutions because we understand that as Ethereum evolves, MetaMask must also evolve accordingly. Having a large user base of over 30 million people naturally takes more time compared to startups with only a few users.

Q: Can you talk about the challenges of introducing new features (such as smart wallets) to MetaMask? Are there any changes that need to be made, or any EIPs that need to be introduced to change the underlying technology of Ethereum?

A: Currently, the ERC-4337 is receiving widespread attention from the Ethereum community. As a wallet solution, it is quite attractive and doesn't require a long time to develop. We are excited about building a stronger ecosystem around it. However, there are still some immature aspects, and it is not yet ready to accommodate 30 million users. Nevertheless, we have decided to collaborate with these teams and promote the development of the wallet.

Q: I think this conversation will also involve an argument that account abstraction is the future direction. However, it may coexist with external-owned accounts (EOA) in the same way they currently exist. Everyone present seems very optimistic about the trend of smart wallets. Do you believe it has a sustainable future? Is it really the future of cryptocurrency wallets?

A: Time will gradually reveal the development direction of MetaMask, but our goal is to foster various innovations within the industry. Our positioning of MetaMask is very clear, and we hope to open up the functionalities of the wallet to expand its possibilities. We are introducing a new set of APIs called MetaMask Snaps, which allow developers to extend the wallet's functionalities in any way they want. For example, if they have ideas to enhance security using advanced encryption techniques like multi-party computation or threshold signatures, they can create a Snap and attach it to MetaMask to achieve this functionality.

Similarly, for those who are dedicated to developing account abstraction solutions, they can develop a Snap and attach it to MetaMask to expand its functionalities. We have our own internal ideas, but we also want to make MetaMask flexible and adaptable to future technological developments. Our goal is to maintain agility and allow developers to create their own versions of MetaMask. Hopefully, through collaborative efforts, we can build the best user experience.

Q: So, can we understand it as people wanting to make some small changes can add these Snap modules to essentially adjust how it operates?

A: They don't have to be small changes. These changes can be significant. For example, we recently introduced a new user interface to support the use of MetaMask across multiple blockchains. Through MetaMask Snaps, we can gradually add entirely new accounts while also introducing a completely new user interface. Transaction analysis remains a core functionality of the wallet, but with MetaMask gradually supporting more platforms, there could be significant changes in the next few years. The appearance of the wallet may differ from its current state depending on which Snaps developers choose to integrate.

Q: I remember you mentioned that MetaMask has an impressive 30 million users. How do you plan to continue growing the user base? Are you considering launching a token or implementing more extravagant measures to achieve this goal? Is expanding the user base a key metric you focus on daily? Or is your main focus on improving the quality of the user experience?

A: We are certainly focused on maintaining and improving the quality of our services. While we have impressive numbers, such as 30 million monthly active users and 100 million users last year, we also recognize that these figures are influenced by the market and broader ecosystem and may fluctuate. Therefore, our primary focus remains on providing the best wallet experience.

In the past, we have observed that new innovations like NFTs can lead to a surge in usage, and we hope to be at the center of such trends. As a secure and non-custodial wallet, we prioritize security, so we are very cautious in choosing our partners. Because releasing faulty or subpar features could have serious consequences and harm the reputation and user experience of the wallet. Therefore, we approach each development with great care and attention to ensure we deliver the best product.

Q: So you're not moving quickly and experimenting, but rather the opposite?

A: Yes, when it comes to building web3 projects like wallets, it's not in line with the web3 philosophy to move quickly and experiment. And I believe our users wouldn't want that either because they trust us.

Q: The increase in usage and downloads of MetaMask is undoubtedly beneficial, and it seems that Layer 2 solutions may be the potential trend next, which can further drive the adoption of cryptocurrency and attract more users to download MetaMask. So, what are your thoughts on the Layer 2 trend and its impact on the development and plans of MetaMask?

A: L2 solutions will undoubtedly continue to exist. Perhaps there has been debate about their feasibility in the past, but the growth and adoption of projects like Polygon in recent times clearly indicate that people crave Ethereum's security while also desiring faster and more cost-effective transactions. L2 fulfills this need. Personally, I believe there is ample evidence supporting this viewpoint because the new wave of cryptocurrency users is likely to choose L2 over the Ethereum mainnet due to its faster and cheaper nature.

MetaMask is committed to supporting every EVM-compatible blockchain and potentially expanding to non-EVM chains, which will further drive growth and adoption in different markets. However, we are determined to maintain high-quality standards throughout the expansion process to ensure that everything we do is of high quality.

Q: Has MetaMask considered launching a token? It has become a hot topic in the Twitter community. Can we talk about it?

A: In reality, the actual utility of launching a token is currently very limited for us. I have no announcements to make at the moment, and while I understand your audience may be interested in tokens, I can confirm that there are no plans to make such announcements at this time.