The Complete Guide to Mask Network
A plain-English guide to Mask Network, the open-source browser extension that adds encrypted posts, a wallet and Web3 plugins on top of X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. It covers how the extension works, the MASK token and MaskDAO, Next.ID identity, and how the project compares with Lens and Farcaster.
What is Mask Network?
Mask Network is an open-source browser extension that adds encryption and Web3 features to social platforms you already use, such as X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, per the Mask Network documentation. Rather than asking you to move to a new network, it runs on top of the existing page: it can encrypt what you post, hold a crypto wallet and load plugins for tokens, NFTs and decentralized storage. The extension was first released as Maskbook in 2019; its code is published by DimensionDev on GitHub (see Sources).
Web2 Meets Web3
Use Web3 tools inside your X or Facebook feed. You keep your account, followers and posts, and add features on top.
Privacy First
Encrypt a post so that only the people you choose can read it. Your keys are generated and stored in your browser, per the Mask documentation.
Plugin Ecosystem
Plugins add token swaps, NFT display, decentralized file storage and other tools to the feed. The current plugin list is in the Mask documentation.
How Mask Network Works
Mask Network sits between the social platform and the blockchain. A browser extension changes the page you are looking at, and a plugin system adds the individual features.
Browser Extension
The extension runs on supported social sites and adds its own buttons and cards to the page as you browse. X and Facebook are the main ones; the full list of supported sites is in the Mask documentation.
Encrypted Messaging
When you write a post through Mask, the text is encrypted with public-key cryptography before it is published. Only recipients you selected, who also run the extension, can decrypt it. Everyone else sees encrypted text, per the Mask documentation.
dApp Plugins
Plugins add the features: token swaps, NFT display, file sharing through decentralized storage such as IPFS or Arweave, and more. Each plugin appears inside the social feed rather than on a separate site.
Multi-Chain Support
The built-in wallet works with Ethereum and other EVM-compatible chains such as BNB Chain, Polygon and Arbitrum, per the Mask documentation. The supported list changes between releases, so check the docs for the current set.
Architecture Overview
Social Media (X, Facebook)
Existing Web2 platforms you already use
Mask Network Extension
Middleware + Plugin System
DeFi
Swaps, ITOs
NFTs
Gallery, Trading
Storage
IPFS, Arweave
Key Features
The main features the extension adds to a social feed. Availability varies by platform and release; the Mask documentation has the details.
Send Crypto on X
The Lucky Drop plugin (originally called Red Packet) lets you attach tokens to a post. Followers who run the extension can claim a share without leaving the page, per the Mask documentation.
NFT Gallery
Show NFTs you own on your social profile. Other users of the extension can see the collection and check the owning wallet on-chain.
Decentralized File Sharing
Upload a file to IPFS or Arweave from the compose box and share the link in a post. Arweave is designed for permanent storage; IPFS files stay available only while a node keeps them.
Encrypted Messaging
Write a post that only selected recipients can decrypt. To anyone without the extension and the right key, the content shows as encrypted text.
Token Price Tracking
Hover over a token ticker such as $ETH in a post to see price data and a chart, with a link to swap through the extension's exchange plugin.
Web3 Profile
Link wallet addresses to your social account through Next.ID. Others can then see on your profile which addresses, ENS names and NFTs are yours.
The MASK Token
MASK is the governance token of Mask Network. It is an ERC-20 token on Ethereum with a total supply of 100 million, per the token documentation and the Etherscan token page (see Sources).
Governance
MASK holders take part in MaskDAO, which decides how the treasury is used and which proposals the project pursues, per the Mask documentation.
ITO Access
The Initial Twitter Offering (ITO) plugin let projects sell tokens through a post. MASK itself was first distributed through an ITO in February 2021. Check the docs for whether the plugin is currently active.
Staking
Mask Network has run staking programmes for MASK holders. Rewards, terms and whether a programme is open change over time; the official site lists the current status (see Sources).
Ecosystem Funding
The MaskDAO treasury, held partly in MASK, funds grants and ecosystem projects. Each programme is published by the DAO rather than fixed in the token contract.
MASK Token Details
Token Symbol
MASK
Network
Ethereum
Total Supply
100M
Type
ERC-20
Mask Network Ecosystem
Mask Network is a set of plugins, third-party integrations and sister projects from the same team. The lists below are examples, not a full inventory; the documentation has the current set.
Plugins
- Lucky Drop (Red Packet): distribute tokens through a post
- ITO: Initial Twitter Offering token sales
- Snapshot: vote on governance proposals from the feed
- NFT Gallery: show NFTs on a profile
Integrations
- Uniswap and other DEXs: in-feed token swaps
- OpenSea: NFT data and marketplace links
- CoinGecko: price data and charts
- Arweave and IPFS: decentralized file storage
Related Projects
- Gitcoin: donate to public goods from the feed
- Next.ID: decentralized identity, built by the Mask team
- RSS3: open information feeds
- Firefly: social app from the Mask team for X, Lens and Farcaster
How to Use Mask Network
Four steps to set up the extension. The exact screens change between releases; the Mask documentation has current screenshots.
Install Extension
Use the download links on mask.io, which point to the Chrome Web Store and Firefox Add-ons. Only install from official links; fake copies of crypto extensions exist.
Connect Wallet
Create a persona, the key pair Mask uses for encryption, and back up its recovery phrase. Then create a wallet inside Mask or connect an existing one such as MetaMask. Keys stay in your browser, per the Mask documentation.
Link Social Accounts
Connect your X or Facebook account to the persona. Mask asks you to publish a short proof post so that others can verify the link; Next.ID records it.
Explore Web3 Features
Browse your feed to see token prices, NFT profiles and encrypted posts. Use the Mask button in the compose box to encrypt a post, send a Lucky Drop or share a file.
Use Cases
Practical things people use the extension for. Where decryption is involved, the other party must also run Mask.
Encrypted Communication
Post on a public platform in a way that only chosen recipients can read. The platform still sees that you posted and whom you follow, so this is content encryption rather than anonymity.
Social Token Trading
See a token mentioned in a post and swap it through the exchange plugin without leaving the page. The plugin routes through decentralized exchanges, so the usual swap risks apply: slippage, gas fees and fake tokens with the same ticker.
NFT Showcase
Show a verified NFT collection on your social profile. Because the wallet link is recorded through Next.ID, viewers can check that the NFTs belong to the account.
Decentralized Storage
Upload files to IPFS or Arweave and share the link in a post. Arweave aims for permanent storage; IPFS content stays available while at least one node keeps it.
Mask Network vs Similar Projects
How Mask Network compares with two other projects working on social media and Web3. The Lens and Farcaster entries come from those projects' public documentation.
| Feature | Mask Network | Lens Protocol | Farcaster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Overlay on Web2 | New platform | New platform |
| Uses Existing Platforms | Yes (X, Facebook) | No | No |
| Blockchain | Multi-chain (EVM) | Lens Chain (earlier Polygon) | OP Mainnet (registrations) |
| Encrypted Messaging | Yes | Not in the protocol | Not in the protocol |
| Token Swaps | In-feed | Via integrations | Via Frames |
| User Onboarding | Extension on existing account | New account and app | New account and app |
| Token | MASK | See Lens docs | See Farcaster docs |
Key Differentiator
Lens Protocol and Farcaster build new social graphs and apps. Mask Network adds features to the platforms you already use, so your followers, content and connections stay where they are. The trade-off is dependence on those platforms: a change to the X or Facebook page layout or extension policy can break features until Mask ships an update.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mask Network?
What is the MASK token used for?
How do I install Mask Network?
Is Mask Network safe to use?
How does Mask Network compare to Lens Protocol or Farcaster?
Sources and further reading
The figures and claims on this page rest on the documents below. Time-sensitive figures (rates, yields, fees, market data) move: check the live value at the source before acting on it.
- Mask Network official sitemask.io
Overview of the extension, official download links and the list of supported social platforms.
- Mask Network documentationdocs.mask.io
How personas, post encryption, the wallet and plugins work, plus the current list of supported chains and MaskDAO.
- Maskbook repository (DimensionDev, GitHub)github.com
Open-source code of the browser extension, release notes and issue tracker.
- DimensionDev on GitHubgithub.com
The organisation that publishes Mask Network, Next.ID and related projects.
- Next.IDnext.id
The decentralized identity protocol that links social accounts to wallet addresses and personas.
- MASK token contract (Etherscan)etherscan.io
Live total supply (100,000,000 MASK), holders and transfers of the ERC-20 token on Ethereum.
- Fireflyfirefly.social
The social app from the Mask Network team that aggregates X, Lens and Farcaster feeds.
- CoinGecko, Mask Network (MASK)coingecko.com
Live price, market capitalisation, circulating supply and exchange listings.
Last reviewed: September 2026. External links open in a new tab; Coinstancy is not responsible for their content.
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