Токен MASK для MetaMask: запуск ожидается в ближайшие дни Translation: MASK Token for MetaMask: Launch Expected in the Coming Days

Co-founder of Ethereum and CEO of ConsenSys, Joseph Lubin, has announced that the Web3 wallet provider, MetaMask, is preparing to launch a native token in the near future.

“The MASK token will be coming soon—perhaps earlier than you currently anticipate. […] It is closely tied to the decentralization of certain aspects of the MetaMask platform,” Lubin mentioned during The Block’s podcast, The Crypto Beat.

He emphasized that the company supports developers’ efforts to continuously enhance the decentralization of Ethereum. ConsenSys leverages the capabilities of MetaMask, Infura, and Linea to maintain this principle at the core of the ecosystem.

MetaMask will initiate futures trading within the wallet as a result of its integration with the decentralized exchange Hyperliquid, as noted by developer abretonc7s on GitHub.

Many members of the crypto community have been eagerly awaiting the release of a token from the most popular Web3 wallet for a considerable time. The idea dates back at least to 2021, when developer Eric Marks proposed the concept of “community ownership” through a native crypto asset.

In May, co-founder Dan Finley stated that in the event of a launch, the announcement would be made exclusively within the app—bypassing emails and social media posts—which would minimize fraud risks.

“You will be able to find the link directly in the wallet,” he stressed.

Finley previously indicated that the timeline for the token’s launch remains undetermined. However, Lubin’s remarks during the podcast suggest that the release plan for MASK is already in place and likely in the final stages of implementation.

“With the token launch, we have the opportunity to do some truly significant things,” the ConsenSys head remarked.

Earlier this month, the firm-supported Layer 2 solution Linea launched its native token. During the TGE, over 9.36 billion LINEA tokens were distributed among eligible addresses.

Lubin highlighted that the company received only 15% of the LINEA tokens. The remaining portion was allocated to support developers, provide liquidity, and encourage activity in the Linea and Ethereum ecosystems, with an emphasis on community development.

Joseph Lubin commented on the current performance of Ethereum-focused company SharpLink Gaming, whose board of directors he chairs.

The market net asset value (mNAV) ratio recently fell below 1, indicating a discount relative to the amount of ETH on the firm’s balance sheet.

A similar trend is observable in other treasury-oriented companies, including The Ether Machine and the ETHZilla Foundation.

The emergence of such a trend could potentially undermine investor trust and raise concerns about a possible «death spiral,» a situation where a company’s stock price plummets sharply. In such cases, it becomes more challenging for firms to attract capital, particularly given their dependence on volatile crypto assets.

“Cycles are happening in the world. There are also long-term trends. […] When we see Ethereum’s price rise, we observe this in SharpLink as the value of ether returns to historical highs… We will encounter a resurgence of speculative sentiment in the market,” Lubin commented.

Also participating in the podcast, SharpLink executive Joseph Chalom noted that the dip in mNAV below 1 is merely a «temporary distortion.»

“You have a base asset—ETH; you can stake it and earn over three percent yield… This income represents revenue, and in the context of a public company, in the mid-to-long term, it should create a multiplier effect,” he explained.

Chalom mentioned that if mNAV remains below 1, the company will continue to buy back securities while also seeking other capital-raising methods in the market, including issuing common stock.

“There are equity-linked and convertible offerings that are generating significant investor interest, allowing us to raise capital without diluting shareholder stakes,” he added.

During the podcast, executives suggested focusing on another metric—ETH per share. According to Chalom, this ratio increased from 2 at the beginning of June to 3.95, which is a “very positive signal” for the market.

“More investors are beginning to understand: we will use our ether. […] At some distant point in the future, we may even borrow against it when it becomes a vast pool of highly liquid assets. We will stake it in significant protocols and provide liquidity to new and exciting services,” Lubin noted.

Thus, when SharpLink reaches a certain threshold that limits further Ethereum acquisitions, the company intends to “significantly change” its strategy—from accumulating cryptocurrency to utilizing it.

Among corporate holders of Ethereum, the firm ranks second, holding approximately 838,150 ETH.

Recall that in August, MetaMask launched its own stablecoin, mUSD. Shortly after, developers integrated the option for “social login” to access the wallet using Google and Apple ID services.