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MetaMask Still Does Not Rule Out Token Issuance
MASK Issuance Concept Dates Back to 2021
Regulatory Shift Increases Possibility of Token Issuance
In an interview on The Block’s podcast “Crypto Beat,” Dan Finlay smiled when asked if there are plans to launch a native token, responding, “Maybe.” He added that if a token is indeed issued in the future, all announcements will be made within the MetaMask wallet and on the official website, rather than through community accounts or third-party platforms.
“You won’t see phishing links from unknown accounts, nor will you receive texts or emails from us because we don’t store user personal data,” Finlay stated. “Information will only appear in the wallet and will only come from the official website.”
MASK Issuance Concept Dates Back to 2021
The concept of MetaMask’s native token “MASK” can be traced back to 2021, when a developer proposed community ownership through token issuance during a community meeting. ConsenSys CEO Joseph Lubin also hinted at future issuance plans through a tweet saying, “Wen $MASK?”
In 2022, Joseph Lubin further indicated that MetaMask would promote a “gradual decentralization” approach, combining the DAO concept with tokens to allow users to participate in the ecosystem’s development. However, this DAO is defined as a funding allocation body rather than a governance organization, and MASK explicitly excludes speculative elements, employing mechanisms to prevent abuse by “whales.”
Regulatory Shift Increases Possibility of Token Issuance
Dan Finlay pointed out that the feasibility of token issuance has improved against the backdrop of a gradually shifting regulatory environment in the United States. He believes that a return of the Trump administration would create “a more lenient space that allows for the birth of more types of tokens.”
“This is a great time, and I hope everyone can push the boundaries to establish more compliant precedents for this industry,” he added, “Perhaps this will herald the next wave of an interesting crypto bull market.”