MetaMask unveils new shield security upgrade with transaction loss protection

MetaMask has launched a new premium safeguard called shield, designed to protect users from transaction-related losses while adding fast-response support.

MetaMask introduces premium loss protection for on-chain activity

MetaMask has rolled out Transaction Shield, a premium opt-in security upgrade that bundles transaction loss protection with 24/7 wallet priority support for its users. The product, announced on Dec. 2, 2025, aims to reduce the financial impact of risky interactions across decentralized applications and smart contracts.

The new subscription service extends MetaMask’s security stack by offering coverage for losses up to $10,000 per month on transactions the platform classifies as safe. However, only actions that pass MetaMask’s automated contract checks and transaction simulations qualify for reimbursement if something goes wrong.

Moreover, the company positions Transaction Shield as an added layer on top of its existing threat detection tools, instead of a replacement. That said, users still need to monitor approvals, contract interactions, and spending limits whenever they connect their wallet to on-chain services.

Pricing, free trial, and subscription details

The Transaction Shield MetaMask subscription service is priced at $9.99 per month or $99 annually, maintaining clear monthly coverage limits tied to approved transactions. Subscribers receive a 14-day free trial, and annual plans include a $20 discount compared with paying month to month.

Currently, coverage is available only through the MetaMask Extension in desktop browsers. However, the team plans to extend the feature to the mobile wallet at a later stage, bringing the same transaction loss protection and support package to smartphone users.

Supported networks and transaction types

Transaction Shield applies to approved transactions on a wide range of supported blockchain networks. Covered chains include Ethereum, Linea, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Optimism, Base, Polygon, BSC, and Sei, giving users protection across major EVM-compatible ecosystems.

Moreover, the feature supports common DeFi and NFT interactions. Eligible actions include DeFi swaps, lending and borrowing activity, NFT mints, and NFT sales on trusted marketplaces, as well as verified airdrop claims. This structure is intended to offer defi swaps protection and coverage for typical retail user behavior without overextending the risk pool.

The company stresses that only transactions flagged as safe by MetaMask’s automated systems fall within the protection scope. That said, users still need to review prompts and risk warnings before signing any transaction, as unsafe or manually overridden actions may not qualify.

Exclusions, claims process, and payout structure

Despite its broad reach, Transaction Shield comes with clear exclusions. The service does not cover compromised wallets, broader market losses, or protocol-level exploits, even when they affect assets held in a MetaMask wallet. These carve-outs are meant to prevent the coverage from functioning as open-ended insurance against market volatility or systemic failures.

However, when a covered loss occurs within the approved parameters, subscribers can file a claim within 21 days of the incident. Most reimbursements are processed within 15 business days, according to MetaMask, and are paid out in mUSD at the current market rate at the time of settlement.

Moreover, the policy framework emphasizes documentation and accurate reporting. Users must submit transaction details and on-chain evidence to support their claims, allowing the review team to verify whether the interaction fit into the eligible categories and monthly coverage limits defined by the service.

Shield impact on wallet security and user expectations

The introduction of Metamask shield also signals a broader shift toward monetized security layers in consumer crypto wallets. While self-custody remains central to MetaMask’s model, the company is now offering a paid pathway to mitigate some of the risks associated with complex contract interactions and fast-moving markets.

However, MetaMask continues to warn that no protection product can fully eliminate the dangers of phishing, malicious contracts, or extreme volatility. Users still bear ultimate responsibility for private key management and transaction review, even when using premium tools marketed as transaction loss protection within the wallet stack.

In summary, Transaction Shield adds structured coverage, priority assistance, and clearer expectations around on-chain risk for paying customers, without changing the underlying non-custodial nature of the wallet.