Hello Ethereum Wallets!

The NEAR ecosystem has taken a major leap forward by embracing Ethereum’s vast wallet infrastructure. Now, users can seamlessly access NEAR-based applications using familiar tools like MetaMask, WalletConnect, and over 400 Ethereum-compatible wallets. This integration marks a pivotal moment in blockchain interoperability, lowering barriers for millions of existing crypto users and developers.

Whether you're a developer building decentralized applications or a user exploring Web3, this update makes interacting with NEAR faster, easier, and more intuitive than ever.

👉 Discover how easy it is to start using Ethereum wallets on a next-gen blockchain platform.

What Are Ethereum Wallets on NEAR?

NEAR now supports native login and interaction via Ethereum wallets — a game-changer for cross-chain accessibility. This means that if you’ve ever used MetaMask or connected your wallet through WalletConnect, you can now use those same tools to log into dApps built on NEAR.

This functionality isn't just about convenience; it's about user empowerment and ecosystem expansion. By supporting Ethereum-standard wallets, NEAR opens its doors to a global community already comfortable with Ethereum’s interface and security model.

Key benefits include:

• No need to learn new wallet setups
• Instant access to NEAR dApps using existing credentials
• Seamless transaction signing with familiar prompts

Behind the scenes, this integration was made possible through a combination of protocol-level innovation and smart contract engineering — all designed to bridge two powerful blockchain worlds.

How Ethereum Wallets Work on NEAR

The foundation of this breakthrough lies in NEP-518, a proposal that sparked the vision of Ethereum wallet compatibility on NEAR. The implementation was led by the Aurora Labs team, who spent over a year developing the necessary components to make this interoperability possible.

Since Ethereum wallets communicate using Ethereum Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs) and sign Ethereum-style transactions, direct compatibility with NEAR’s architecture wasn’t feasible without translation layers. To solve this, three core components were developed:

1. Translator API – Converts Ethereum RPC calls into NEAR-compatible RPC requests
2. Wallet Contract – A smart contract deployed on NEAR that interprets Ethereum transactions and executes corresponding actions
3. Ethereum Transaction Handler – Processes incoming Ethereum-signed data and maps it to NEAR account operations

These systems work together to create a smooth, invisible bridge between ecosystems — users don’t need to know the technical details, but they benefit from them every time they click “Connect Wallet.”

Logging In with an Ethereum Wallet

Let’s walk through a real-world scenario.

Imagine your MetaMask account address is 0xD79...314, and you want to access a NEAR-based dApp for the first time.

When you select "Login with MetaMask," here’s what happens behind the scenes:

• The system checks if a NEAR account exists for your Ethereum address.
• If not, ethereum-wallets.near automatically creates a new NEAR account named after your Ethereum address (e.g., 0xd79...314.near).
• A Wallet Contract is immediately deployed to this account, enabling it to process Ethereum-style transactions.

💡 In NEAR, smart contracts aren’t separate entities — they are accounts. This means your wallet contract can send tokens, call other contracts, and manage assets just like any user-controlled account.

Once set up, your experience feels completely native. You interact with the dApp as usual, and whenever a blockchain action is needed, MetaMask pops up for approval — just like on Ethereum.

Under the Hood: Transaction Flow

Here’s how a typical transaction unfolds when using an Ethereum wallet on NEAR:

1. The dApp requests a blockchain interaction (e.g., minting an NFT or swapping tokens).
2. MetaMask prompts you to sign an Ethereum-formatted transaction.
3. This transaction is sent to the Translator API at https://eth-rpc.mainnet.near.org.
4. The API translates the Ethereum transaction into a NEAR function call.
5. It invokes the rlp_execute method on your account’s Wallet Contract, passing the original transaction data.
6. The contract processes the request and performs the required action on-chain.
7. The dApp receives confirmation — all within seconds.

This entire process is invisible to the end user, creating a frictionless experience while maintaining full security and decentralization.

👉 See how developers are leveraging cross-chain wallet support to build better user experiences.

Updating Your Application to Support Ethereum Wallets

For developers, integrating Ethereum wallet support is surprisingly straightforward.

All you need to do is:

• Update your wallet-selector package to the latest version
• Enable the ethereum-wallets module during configuration

That’s it.

No complex refactoring or blockchain-specific rewrites. The updated SDK handles the heavy lifting, allowing your app to recognize and authenticate users via MetaMask, WalletConnect, and hundreds of other Ethereum-compatible wallets.

To get started:

• Follow the official Integration Tutorial
• Explore the working example in the Hello World Frontend

These resources provide step-by-step guidance, code snippets, and best practices for implementing seamless wallet connectivity.

Additionally, teams can leverage this feature to:

• Reduce onboarding friction
• Attract Ethereum-native users
• Accelerate dApp adoption without sacrificing performance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need to create a new wallet to use NEAR apps?
A: No! If you already have MetaMask or another Ethereum wallet, you can use it directly to log in to NEAR dApps.

Q: Is my Ethereum private key stored on NEAR?
A: No. Your private keys remain securely in your wallet. NEAR only uses signatures for authentication — your keys never leave your device.

Q: Can I send ETH or NEAR tokens using this wallet?
A: Yes. Once connected, your wallet contract can manage both assets depending on the dApp’s functionality and bridge integrations.

Q: Are there any gas fees in ETH or NEAR?
A: Transactions on NEAR are paid in $NEAR. However, the interface may abstract this for users, showing costs in familiar terms like ETH equivalent.

Q: Does this work on mobile devices?
A: Absolutely. WalletConnect ensures full compatibility with mobile wallets like Trust Wallet, Rainbow, and others.

Q: Is this secure?
A: Yes. The system relies on proven cryptographic standards and has undergone rigorous testing by Aurora Labs and external auditors.

Why This Matters for the Future of Web3

This integration isn't just a technical upgrade — it's a strategic move toward true interoperability. As blockchain ecosystems grow, siloed platforms hinder mass adoption. By supporting Ethereum wallets natively, NEAR removes one of the biggest friction points: wallet fragmentation.

Users no longer need to juggle multiple wallets or memorize different seed phrases. Developers gain access to a broader audience without compromising on speed or scalability.

Moreover, this sets a precedent for future cross-chain innovations — where identity, assets, and logic flow freely between networks based on user choice, not technical limitations.

👉 Join the movement toward unified wallet experiences across blockchains.

Resources

• Integration Tutorial – Step-by-step guide for developers
• Hello World Frontend Example – Practical implementation reference
• Ethereum Wallet Presentation Recording – Deep dive into the technology
• NEP-518 Proposal – Original design document that started it all

With Ethereum wallets now fully supported on NEAR, the path forward is clear: seamless access, unified identities, and boundless innovation across chains.