MetaMask Setup Guide

For DAO Experimentation Program participants

MetaMask is a free crypto wallet you'll use to receive your task payments (in USDT), connect to XDAO, and sign your DAO actions such as votes. This guide walks you through setup — no prior experience needed.

Step 1: Install MetaMask

On desktop (recommended)

1. Go to https://metamask.io/
2. Click Download and choose Chrome, Firefox, or Brave
3. Install the MetaMask browser extension
4. Pin the MetaMask icon for quick access

On mobile (optional)

1. Download the MetaMask app from Google Play or the App Store
2. You can use the same wallet across desktop and mobile by syncing

Step 2: Create your wallet

1. Click "Create a Wallet"
2. Set a strong password
3. Write down your Secret Recovery Phrase (12 words)
   • Store it offline — not in email, Google Docs, or screenshots
   • Never share it with anyone. This is the key to your wallet, and no one from the program or a DAO will ever ask for it.
4. Confirm your phrase when prompted
5. You're now inside your MetaMask wallet

Step 3: Connect to the Polygon network

The program runs on Polygon. In many versions of MetaMask, Polygon is already available as a preset network — if not, add it manually with these details:

• Network Name: Polygon
• RPC URL: https://polygon-rpc.com/
• Chain ID: 137
• Currency Symbol: POL (the network's native token, formerly MATIC)
• Block Explorer URL: https://polygonscan.com/

Click Save.

Step 4: Add USDT so you can see your payments

You're paid in USDT on Polygon. USDT won't show up in your wallet until you add it as a token:

1. In MetaMask, on the Polygon network, choose Import tokens
2. Paste the USDT token contract address: 0xc2132D05D31c914a87C6611C10748AEb04B58e8F
3. The symbol (USDT) and decimals fill in automatically — confirm to add it

Your USDT balance will now be visible whenever you receive a payment.

Step 5: Share your wallet address

1. Click your MetaMask icon and copy your wallet address (it starts with 0x…)
2. Share this public address with your DAO / the program when setting up, so you can be added to your DAO's XDAO space and receive payments

Your 0x… address is safe to share. Your Secret Recovery Phrase is not — never share that with anyone.

A note on network fees (gas)

Signing an action on Polygon — such as voting on XDAO — costs a tiny network fee, paid in POL. Fees on Polygon are usually a fraction of a cent. You don't need to buy any: at onboarding, each member is given 0.1 POL to cover these fees, which is plenty for the cohort.

FAQs

Do I need to buy crypto to take part? No. You don't need to buy anything to join. You receive USDT for the work you do, and you're given 0.1 POL at onboarding to cover the tiny network fees Polygon charges when you sign actions like voting.

What if I lose my Secret Recovery Phrase? You would permanently lose access to your wallet. Save it carefully, offline.

Can I use an existing wallet? Yes — as long as it's secure and you're comfortable using it with XDAO on Polygon.

Someone asked for my recovery phrase to "help" me. Is that ok? No — never share it. No admin, facilitator, or support person will ever need your Secret Recovery Phrase. Anyone asking for it is trying to steal your wallet.