How to Add a Custom Network to Your Wallet

作者

How to Add a Custom Network to Your Wallet (MetaMask, Trust Wallet, etc.)

Ethereum is only the beginning. Many blockchains—BNB Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Fantom, Base—use the EVM standard, which means they work with MetaMask and other non-custodial wallets.

But these networks are not pre-installed, so users must add them manually or through trusted tools.

This guide teaches you exactly how to add networks safely.

1. Why You Need to Add Networks Manually

Wallets like MetaMask only come with:

  • Ethereum Mainnet

To use:

  • Binance Smart Chain (BSC)
  • Polygon
  • Arbitrum
  • Optimism
  • Base
  • Avalanche C-Chain

…you must add their RPC settings.

2. What Are RPC Settings?

RPC stands for Remote Procedure Call — your wallet needs these details to connect to a blockchain.

Each network has:

  • Network name
  • RPC URL
  • Chain ID
  • Currency symbol
  • Block explorer URL

These must be 100% accurate.

3. How to Add a Custom Network (Manual Method)

Step 1

Open MetaMask → Settings → Networks → Add Network.

Step 2

Enter RPC details (example: BNB Chain)

Network Name: BNB Smart Chain
RPC URL: https://bsc-dataseed.binance.org/
Chain ID: 56
Symbol: BNB
Block Explorer: https://bscscan.com

Step 3

Save → Network added.

4. How to Add Networks Safely Using Chainlist

Manual entry is risky because scammers publish fake RPCs.

The safest method:

  1. Go to https://chainlist.org
  2. Search for your network
  3. Click Add to MetaMask
  4. Confirm in wallet

Chainlist ensures all RPC endpoints are verified.

5. Preventing Network Spoofing Attacks

Fake networks can:

  • Redirect your transactions
  • Show fake balances
  • Intercept wallet data
  • Trick you into signing malicious transactions

To stay safe:

✔ Never use RPCs from Telegram

✔ Never trust unverified websites

✔ Always verify Chain ID matches the official one

✔ Only use Chainlist or the official chain website

6. Common Networks You Should Add

BNB Chain

Cheap fees, large ecosystem.

Polygon

Fast, low-cost transactions.

Arbitrum

Most popular Ethereum Layer 2.

Optimism

Fast-growing Layer 2.

Base

Coinbase-backed L2 network.

Avalanche

DeFi and gaming.

7. Final Takeaway

Adding networks to MetaMask is simple but must be done safely.

  • Always use official RPCs
  • Prefer Chainlist for automatic verification
  • Never copy RPCs from random guides
  • Double-check Chain IDs
  • Be cautious with unknown networks

This ensures your wallet remains secure as you explore multiple ecosystems.

🎉 Article 13 Completed

✅ Article 14 — Understanding EIP-712 Message Signatures (And When They Are Dangerous)

Category：Tools & Resources → Wallet & On-chain
Length：≈1500 words

Understanding EIP-712 Message Signatures (And When They Are Dangerous)

EIP-712 is a standard for typed message signatures used widely in Web3. Airdrop tasks, DeFi interactions, NFT mints, and login systems often rely on it.

But many scams also abuse EIP-712 to trick users into signing approvals that drain their wallets.

This guide explains:

  • What EIP-712 is
  • Why signatures exist
  • Which signatures are safe
  • Which signatures are dangerous
  • How to avoid malicious requests

1. What Is EIP-712?

EIP-712 is a method of signing structured messages that humans can read before approving.

Instead of showing you long unreadable hex strings, EIP-712 displays:

  • What app is asking
  • What action is being requested
  • What the message contains

This helps users understand what they are signing.

2. Why Are Message Signatures Needed?

dApps need signatures for:

  • Logging in without a password
  • Approving on-chain actions
  • Verifying wallet ownership
  • Executing transactions
  • Accessing secure features

Signatures prove:

“This action was initiated by the wallet owner.”

3. Types of Signature Requests

Safe Examples

✔ Login to a platform
✔ Verify wallet ownership
✔ Sign non-transactional messages
✔ Participate in simple airdrop tasks

These do NOT move your funds.

Dangerous Examples

❌ Token approvals (spender = unlimited)
❌ “Permit2” approvals
❌ NFT approvals (SetApprovalForAll)
❌ Swap execution previews
❌ Signature requests from unknown dApps

These CAN move your funds or give unlimited access.

4. How Scammers Use EIP-712

Scammers create fake:

  • Airdrop websites
  • NFT mint pages
  • DEX frontends
  • Discord/Twitter links

They trick users into signing a “harmless approval” that actually:

  • Grants full token access
  • Grants unlimited spending
  • Allows draining assets instantly

5. How to Read EIP-712 Messages

Always check:

✔ App Domain

Does the domain match the real project?

✔ Requested Action

Does it ask for:

  • Approval?
  • Spending?
  • Permission changes?

✔ Spender Address

Unknown → dangerous.

✔ Token Symbol

Fake pages often show blank or incorrect token names.

6. How to Protect Yourself

✔ Rule #1 — Never sign what you don’t understand

If unsure → reject.

✔ Rule #2 — Always verify URL

Fake sites are the #1 cause of signature scams.

✔ Rule #3 — Use a burner wallet for risky tasks

Never use your main wallet.

✔ Rule #4 — Revoke approvals regularly

Use Revoke.cash.

✔ Rule #5 — Use a hardware wallet

Even if you sign something dangerous, hardware wallets help prevent silent actions.

7. If You Signed a Dangerous Message

Immediately:

⚠️ Move your funds to a new wallet

New seed phrase → new wallet.

⚠️ Revoke approvals on old wallet

Then stop using it.

⚠️ Do NOT trust any “recovery tool” websites

They are scams.

8. Final Takeaway

EIP-712 signatures are essential for Web3 but also frequently abused.

  • Safe signatures → Login/authentication
  • Dangerous signatures → Approvals & spending permissions

If the signature request looks suspicious:

Reject first. Ask questions later.

Your wallet’s safety depends on the clicks you make.