Using New Networks

Adding New Networks to Your Wallet:

Metamask is an EVM¹ (Ethereum Virtual Machine) compatible wallet, meaning that your MetaMask ETH address can be used to access Arbitrum, Avalanche, Fantom, Optimism, BSC and many more, without needing to generate a new wallet address.  

• How to add a custom network RPC to Metamask, by Metamask

Quick Tip for New Networks: Most protocols will have a "Switch Network" button in the top right hand corner, click this button to simply add a new network RPC² to your Web3 wallet. Make sure that you are on a reliably trusted protocol if attempting this route. Many protocols will automatically generate this option when connecting. I have listed L1 & L2³ DEXs below, for Binance Smart Chain, do this on Pancakeswap. For Avalanche, Trader Joe. For Polygon, Quickswap. For Fantom, Spookyswap. 

Gas Tokens:

In order to use your wallet on a new network, you will need to have the correct gas tokens. Gas is a fee you pay to interact with a smart contract, ETH is used as gas on the Ethereum network, alternative L1s and L2s will have their own gas tokens that need to be in your wallet for functionality. Always have the correct gas token before bridging any funds. 

Quick Tip for Easy Gas Dust: If you're having trouble accessing a gas token to bridge, some bridges like Synapse send gas dust with bridge transactions. Using Synapse for gas dust will only give you enough gas to complete your first couple transactions, you must buy more on the network with your bridged funds if you take this route. The following is a list of gas tokens for each network and alternative routes to obtain them.

Arbitrum, Optimism (L2) - ETH: Bridge ETH from Ethereum to Arbitrum or Optimism 

Aurora (L1) - ETH: Bridge ETH from Ethereum to Aurora

Binance Smart Chain (L1) - BNB: Deposit BNB (bep-20) from Kucoin, Binance or Trust

Fantom (L1) - FTM: Bridge FTM from Ethereum to Fantom or send directly from Kucoin

Avalanche (L2) - AVAX: Send AVAX directly from Coinbase 

Polygon (L2) - MATIC: Bridge MATIC from Ethereum to Fantom or send from Coinbase

Sending tokens from L1s & L2s

You can send tokens from L1 and L2 chains to any other EVM compatible wallet. Always check network compatibility before sending tokens, make sure the receiving address has access to the same chain as the sending address. If you send tokens to a centralized exchange on the wrong network, they will be lost. You will not be able to get these tokens back, be very careful when sending to centralized exchanges.