Introduction

A Web3 wallet is your account for the decentralized web. You need one to buy a node, connect to the LFG Node Dashboard, hold tokens and NFTs, and pay network fees. This guide walks through setting up MetaMask, one of the most widely supported wallets. The same ideas apply to other reputable Web3 wallets.

Prior Knowledge

Step 1: Install MetaMask

Always download MetaMask from its official site, metamask.io. Type or bookmark the address yourself rather than following a link from a message or ad, since fake wallet downloads are a common scam. MetaMask is available as a browser extension (Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge) and as a mobile app for iOS and Android. Install the version for the device you plan to use.

Step 2: Create a New Wallet

Open MetaMask and choose to create a new wallet. Set a strong password. This password unlocks the wallet on this device only. It does not recover your funds if you lose the device, so keep going to the next step.

Step 3: Secure Your Secret Recovery Phrase

MetaMask will show you a Secret Recovery Phrase of 12 words. This phrase is the master key to your wallet. Anyone who has it controls your funds.

  • Write it down on paper and store it somewhere safe and offline. Do not screenshot it or save it in a notes app, email, or cloud drive.
  • Never share it with anyone. No one from LFG, MetaMask, or any real support team will ever ask for it.
  • Never type it into a website. You only ever enter it back into the wallet app itself if you are restoring your wallet.

Confirm the phrase when MetaMask asks, and your wallet is created.

Step 4: Add the Networks You Need

MetaMask starts on the Ethereum network. Many projects run on other networks, such as Base, BNB Smart Chain, or others. You can switch networks from the network selector at the top of the wallet, and add a new one if it is not listed. To move tokens between networks, see How to Bridge Tokens to BNB Network.

Step 5: Fund Your Wallet

To make any transaction, including buying a node, you need the network's base token to cover gas fees (for example, ETH on Ethereum). Transfer funds in from an exchange or another wallet by sending them to your wallet's public address, which you can copy from the top of the MetaMask screen. Double-check the address and the network before sending.

Step 6: Connect to a Site

When you visit a site like the LFG Node Dashboard, click its Connect Wallet button, choose MetaMask, and approve the connection in the wallet popup. A legitimate connection only asks you to approve access in the wallet. It never asks for your Secret Recovery Phrase.

Stay Safe

Your wallet is only as secure as your recovery phrase. Before you go further, read Staying Safe: Security and Scam Awareness to learn the common scams that target wallet users and how to avoid them.

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