MetaMask Unveils New Roadmap: Smart Contracts, Batched Transactions, and US Debit Card

Popular crypto wallet MetaMask has unveiled a new roadmap, aiming to enhance its user experience and expand its functionality. The Ethereum-based wallet, known for its self-custodial nature, has announced several updates and improvements that will be implemented in the coming months.

One of the key features of the new roadmap is the addition of smart contract capabilities to the current MetaMask wallet. Currently, MetaMask is an Externally Owned Account (EOA), which is controlled by a public and a private key. However, EOAs are subject to human error, and if a user forgets their private key, they risk losing their crypto holdings in that account forever. In contrast, Contract Accounts (CAs) are controlled by code and have recovery mechanisms and security checks in place to verify transactions. By incorporating smart contract capabilities, MetaMask aims to improve security and expand the functionality of its wallet.

In a blog post shared during ETHDenver, the largest North American Ethereum conference, the MetaMask team highlighted the benefits of smart-contract-based accounts. They stated that these accounts allow for new powerful uses of the assets held in the wallet while simultaneously improving security. By enabling users to define their terms from their own programmable account, MetaMask aims to greatly expand how users express their agency and enforce their own code.

Another feature aimed at improving the user experience on MetaMask is ERC-5792, also known as batched transactions. This feature builds on the current smart transactions functionality and allows users to combine certain steps when signing off transactions, such as "approve + swap" in one click. By batching these steps together, users can save time and gas fees, as they will only pay for one gas fee for the series of events, which will then be processed in one block.

The MetaMask team also announced that its MetaMask debit card will be available in select states in the U.S. starting mid-March. The card, which has been in production for a few months, was initially available to users in the UK and EU. The debit card connects to a user's MetaMask wallet, allowing them to spend their crypto. Users can earn staking rewards or yield on their favorite protocols with their favorite tokens and have those funds available to spend anywhere that Mastercard is accepted with just a tap.

In addition to these updates, MetaMask will be adding support for Bitcoin (BTC) and