How to sell crypto from your MetaMask wallet and withdraw the funds to your bank account

Not all tokens can be sold immediately. Airdropped or obscure tokens may lack liquidity or could be scams, so it's important to check before attempting to cash out.

Many people find themselves accumulating a mix of cryptocurrencies in their MetaMask wallets through various activities. You might be a Web3 professional, receiving payments from clients in their project tokens, or a Bitcoin miner receiving mining rewards. Others might be focused on decentralized finance (DeFi), earning annual percentage yield (APY) on their locked assets, or engaging in SocialFi tasks to receive community tokens.

Regardless of the source, having crypto in MetaMask that you'd like to convert to cash is a common desire. In this guide, we'll explore the best ways to sell your crypto and withdraw the funds to your bank account or even in cash, covering both official Know Your Customer (KYC) channels and private, non-KYC routes.

Before you can start selling tokens for cash, you'll need to factor in a few things about how tokens work in MetaMask.

Not all tokens can be sold immediately.

If you've received tokens via airdrops or from lesser-known projects, they may not have enough liquidity or could be scams. It's crucial to check if the tokens can be sold and if they're legitimate.

You might need to swap and bridge tokens.

To sell tokens for cash, you'll likely need to convert them to Ether (ETH) or stablecoins like USDC, which are more commonly supported for fiat withdrawal. Additionally, if the tokens are on a different blockchain, such as Arbitrum, BNB Chain, or Polygon, you'll need to bridge them to the Ethereum mainnet.

MetaMask integrates fiat off-ramps for selling ETH.

MetaMask Portfolio allows you to sell ETH directly and choose the best offers from several third-party providers. However, be prepared to complete KYC with the chosen provider to process the withdrawal.

There are non-KYC and P2P options for selling tokens.

Platforms like Bisq or LocalCoinSwap enable trading Bitcoin, Monero (XMR), or other cryptocurrencies without requiring ID verification. However, these options carry more risk and require caution.

Keep in mind that these non-KYC methods might not be suitable for selling airdropped tokens or tokens from smaller projects.

Don't panic if you can't sell airdropped tokens immediately. They will become tradeable on exchanges later.

If you're interested in learning more about cryptocurrency scams and how to stay safe, explore our comprehensive guide on crypto scams.

How to sell crypto from MetaMask

The easiest way to sell crypto from your MetaMask wallet is using the application itself. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Open MetaMask portfolio

In your MetaMask extension or app, click the "Buy & Sell" button. This will take you to the MetaMask Portfolio site, where you can manage all your assets and begin the selling process.

2. Start selling crypto

Click on "Move crypto" at the top of the page and select "Sell" from the dropdown options.

3. Choose your region and currency

MetaMask will ask for your country of residence and preferred fiat currency (e.g., US dollar, euro). This step ensures you're shown accurate provider options and payout methods available in your area.

4. Enter sale amount

Select Ether (ETH) and enter how much you'd like to convert.

5. Pick payout method

Next, choose where you want the fiat to go. Depending on your region and provider availability, you might be able to send it to a bank account, PayPal, or another method.

6. Compare offers and complete the sale

MetaMask aggregates offers from several third-party providers (like MoonPay, Transak, Sardine, etc.), showing you real-time exchange rates, fees, and estimated payout times. Take a moment to compare and pick the best option for you. Once you've chosen a provider, MetaMask will guide you through sending the crypto. Confirm the transaction in your wallet, and the funds will be transferred to the provider, who handles the fiat payout.

There are two things to keep in mind when using the MetaMask application:

Firstly, while the application itself might not ask you for KYC, the third-party providers will. So, expect to get your documents ready for this one.

Secondly, MetaMask's sell feature only supports ETH on the Ethereum mainnet. This is where the bridging will come in as was explained earlier. For example, if you have tokens on Arbitrum that you want to sell, you'll need to bridge them to Ethereum and then swap them for ETH to be able to use the MetaMask selling functionality.

If you'd rather cash out your crypto through a centralized exchange, Coinbase is a popular option. It's beginner-friendly, offers fiat withdrawal, and supports a wide range of assets. Just note: You'll need to complete KYC verification before withdrawing any fiat.

Here's how to do it, step by step: