“When will MASK be issued?”
This question has been asked in the cryptocurrency community for nearly four years. Recently, Dan Finlay, co-founder of MetaMask, spoke out again during an interview on May 15. Although there is no concrete plan yet, it is being considered. Moreover, if it does happen, it will only be announced through the wallet itself, and there will absolutely be no private messages with airdrop links.
Discussion of MASK: DAO, Community Governance, and Progressive Decentralization since 2021
As early as 2021, MetaMask publicly stated that it was considering the launch of a native token “MASK,” along with the establishment of a DAO:
MetaMask engineer Erik Marks proposed during a developer conference that users be allowed to participate in future decision-making through tokens.
Joseph Lubin, CEO of ConsenSys, even tweeted at that time: “Wen $MASK?” sparking enthusiastic speculation within the community.
By 2022, Lubin further clarified that the purpose of this DAO was not governance but rather a funding tool, and the token would not be designed for short-term arbitrage. All these design concepts revolve around a core goal: to promote ConsenSys’ “progressive decentralization.”
2024-2025 Current Situation: Not Issued Yet, but Maybe Soon
During the interview, co-founder Finlay also emphasized:
“If we do issue, it will be announced directly in the wallet. You will see the link on the interface, and you won’t have to search everywhere; it won’t be from unknown private messages.”
He warned that there are currently numerous scams impersonating MASK, with some even pretending to be MetaMask employees sending airdrop invitations. He reiterated:
“We do not have your phone number or your email, and we will not contact you in this way.”
Impact of the Trump Administration on Token Regulation? Finlay: It’s Definitely Looser Now
When discussing changes in the regulatory environment, Finlay believes that the overall atmosphere is much friendlier now after the return of the Trump administration compared to the SEC under Gary Gensler:
“There is now more room to explore new token types and possibilities. Everyone can use this time to test boundaries and create precedents, which may open the door to the next truly interesting wave of innovation.”
However, he also acknowledged that securities laws are still securities laws, and many projects remain in a gray area, requiring caution.
Current Situation of MetaMask: 30 Million Monthly Active Users, Ongoing User Experience Upgrades
Currently, MetaMask has over 30 million monthly active users worldwide. Finlay mentioned that in response to competition from new wallets like Rainbow and Rabby, the team has been actively improving the user interface and operational processes over the past year:
“This is an open market that does not require authorization. We know that competition will become faster and hotter.”
MASK Has Not Arrived Yet, But Don’t Click Links Recklessly or Jump to Conclusions
In summary, the MetaMask team does not rule out issuing MASK, but they have not provided a specific timeline. Their core stance is:
- No hype
- Do not let users become victims of phishing scams
- If it is issued, it will definitely be announced officially from within the wallet
So if someone tells you to “claim MASK for a limited time,” please block them directly.
Risk Warning
Investing in cryptocurrencies carries a high level of risk, and their prices can be highly volatile, potentially resulting in the loss of your entire principal. Please assess risks cautiously.