If you’ve dabbled with Ethereum in the past, you’ve probably come across Ethereum’s high fees. Layer 2 networks like Polygon are perfect if you want to still deal with Ethereum assets in a cheaper manner. Today OpenSea allows you to mint NFTs and transfer them for free if you use Polygon, there’s still a fee but it’s so low OpenSea is able to cover it.
Note: If assets are created in Polygon they sit on Polygon’s network but can easily be bridged over to Ethereum.
If you want to do anything with Polygon, the first thing you need is a Polygon wallet. Luckily this is fairly simple with MetaMask (a popular Ethereum wallet).
Note: The below instructions are specific to Chrome but you can apply many of the same steps with other browsers. The only major difference is installing the browser extension.
Install Metamask Chrome extension
(https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/metamask/nkbihfbeogaeaoehlefnkodbefgpgknn?hl=en)
2. Follow the prompts
3. Select the 2nd option because we are creating a brand new wallet
4. Create a password for your wallet and accept the terms
5. Backup your recovery seed phrase (12-word phrase)
This is one of the most challenging problems in crypto, securing your wallet. Make sure this phrase is saved in a secure place, treat it like your birth certificate document or SSN card. If you detest physical storage, an easy option is a password manager like 1Password.
6. Re-enter the backed up phrase by selecting the words in the order they were initially presented to you and hit ‘Confirm’
Now your Metamask wallet is created, congrats! This is the biggest step in your crypto journey.
7. Pin your Metamask plugin on your browser
Now you should be able to see it in the corner of your browser, it’s the little fox.
8. Add Polygon’s network to your Metamask using Polygon’s Block Explorer (https://polygonscan.com/).
As you start transacting in Polygon, be sure to remember this site. You can view all transactions on Polygon in Polyscan.
9. In Metamask approve adding in the Polygon network
10. Switch over to the Polygon Network on your Metamask
Your Polygon Wallet is now ready!!!
Under Account 1, you will see something like 0xAE1…, that’s your wallet address. If you want to receive anything to your wallet use that address.
