Connecting your cryptocurrency wallet is essential for using Give Protocol. This guide covers everything you need to know about wallet connection, from setup to security best practices.

Why Connect a Wallet?

Your wallet connection enables you to:

• Make Donations: Send cryptocurrency to organizations
• Receive Funds: Organizations can receive donations
• Track Transactions: View your giving history on-chain
• Manage Assets: Control your cryptocurrency holdings
• Identity Verification: Prove ownership of your address

Supported Wallets

Give Protocol supports all major Web3 wallets:

Browser Extension Wallets

• MetaMask (Recommended) - Most popular and user-friendly
• Coinbase Wallet - Great for beginners
• Brave Wallet - Built into Brave browser
• Rabby Wallet - Advanced features for power users

Mobile Wallets

• MetaMask Mobile - iOS and Android
• Trust Wallet - Multi-chain support
• Rainbow Wallet - Ethereum-focused
• Coinbase Wallet - iOS and Android

WalletConnect Compatible

• Ledger Live - Hardware wallet support
• Trezor Suite - Hardware wallet support
• imToken - Popular in Asia
• TokenPocket - Multi-chain wallet

Setting Up MetaMask (Recommended)

If you don’t have a wallet yet, we recommend starting with MetaMask:

Step 1: Install MetaMask

1. Visit metamask.io
2. Click “Download” and select your browser
3. Install the extension
4. Pin it to your browser toolbar

Step 2: Create Your Wallet

1. Click “Get Started”
2. Choose “Create a Wallet”
3. Create a strong password
4. IMPORTANT: Write down your recovery phrase
5. Store it securely offline
6. Confirm your recovery phrase

Step 3: Add Networks

Give Protocol supports multiple networks. Add them to MetaMask:

Polygon Network (Recommended for lower fees)

• Network Name: Polygon Mainnet
• RPC URL: https://polygon-rpc.com
• Chain ID: 137
• Symbol: MATIC
• Block Explorer: https://polygonscan.com

Ethereum Mainnet (Already included)

Ethereum is included by default in MetaMask.

Connecting Your Wallet to Give Protocol

Step 1: Visit Give Protocol

1. Go to giveprotocol.org
2. Click “Connect Wallet” in the top right
3. Select your wallet from the list

Step 2: Authorize Connection

1. Your wallet will open automatically
2. Review the connection request
3. Click “Connect” or “Approve”
4. Select which accounts to connect

Step 3: Sign Message

1. Give Protocol will request a signature
2. This verifies you own the wallet
3. Click “Sign” in your wallet
4. No gas fees for signing

Step 4: Choose Network

1. Select your preferred network:
   • Polygon: Lower fees, faster transactions
   • Ethereum: Higher security, higher fees
2. Switch networks in your wallet if needed

Wallet Security Best Practices

Seed Phrase Security

• Write it down: Never store digitally
• Multiple copies: Store in different secure locations
• Never share: Give Protocol will never ask for your seed phrase
• Test recovery: Practice restoring your wallet

Password Protection

• Strong passwords: Use unique, complex passwords
• Auto-lock: Set wallet to lock when inactive
• Two-factor: Enable 2FA where available
• Regular updates: Keep wallet software updated

Transaction Safety

• Double-check addresses: Always verify recipient
• Start small: Test with small amounts first
• Network verification: Ensure you’re on the correct network
• Gas limits: Don’t set gas too low

Managing Multiple Wallets

You can connect multiple wallets to your Give Protocol account:

1. Primary Wallet: Your main wallet for transactions
2. Secondary Wallets: Additional wallets for specific purposes
3. Cold Storage: Connect view-only for tracking
4. Multi-sig: Team wallets for organizations

Adding Additional Wallets

1. Go to Settings → Wallets
2. Click “Add Wallet”
3. Follow the connection process
4. Label each wallet for easy identification

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Wallet Won’t Connect

1. Refresh the page and try again
2. Check wallet is unlocked and on correct network
3. Clear browser cache and cookies
4. Disable other wallet extensions temporarily
5. Try incognito/private browsing mode

Wrong Network

1. Check network in wallet matches Give Protocol
2. Switch networks in your wallet
3. Add custom networks if missing
4. Refresh the page after switching

Transaction Stuck

1. Check network congestion on block explorers
2. Increase gas price for faster confirmation
3. Wait for congestion to clear
4. Cancel and retry if possible

Insufficient Funds

1. Check gas token balance (ETH/MATIC)
2. Get gas tokens from exchanges
3. Use faucets for testnets
4. Switch to lower-fee network

Network Fees and Gas

Understanding Gas

• Gas: Unit of computational work
• Gas Price: Cost per unit of gas
• Gas Limit: Maximum gas for transaction
• Total Fee: Gas Used × Gas Price

Fee Comparison

Reducing Fees

• Use Polygon for lower fees
• Time transactions during low congestion
• Batch transactions when possible
• Adjust gas price based on urgency

Advanced Features

Hardware Wallet Integration

For maximum security, use hardware wallets:

1. Ledger: Connect via Ledger Live
2. Trezor: Use Trezor Suite
3. WalletConnect: Bridge to hardware wallets
4. Confirmation: Always verify on device screen

Multi-Signature Wallets

For organizations requiring multiple approvals:

1. Gnosis Safe: Popular multi-sig solution
2. Setup: Define signers and threshold
3. Integration: Connect via WalletConnect
4. Governance: Manage permissions

Wallet Backup and Recovery

Before You Need It

• Backup seed phrase in multiple secure locations
• Test recovery process with small amounts
• Document wallet addresses and labels
• Keep software updated

If You Lose Access

1. Don’t panic - funds are safe with seed phrase
2. Install wallet on new device
3. Import using seed phrase
4. Re-add custom networks and tokens
5. Update connected apps

Need Help?

If you’re having trouble with wallet connection:

• Check our FAQ for common issues
• Visit Help Center for support
• Contact support at support@giveprotocol.org
• Join our Community for peer help

Next Steps

Once your wallet is connected:

1. Explore the Dashboard - Learn the interface
2. Make Your First Donation - Start giving
3. Browse Organizations - Find causes
4. Understand Fees - Know the costs

Remember: Your wallet is your responsibility. Keep it secure, backup your seed phrase, and never share your private keys with anyone.