How to Sell Crypto via MetaMask: A Beginner’s Guide to Converting Tokens to Cash

Dorah Lilian Avatar

MetaMask makes it easy to store and manage your crypto, but selling your assets for fiat isn’t always straightforward. Whether you’re holding airdropped tokens, DeFi rewards, or ETH itself, knowing how to convert your assets into cash is essential. Here’s how to get started — from in-app tools to peer-to-peer and decentralized options.

Understanding Token Liquidity and Visibility

Before you can sell any token via MetaMask, it must be visible and liquid. Airdropped or obscure tokens often lack liquidity or trading pairs, meaning you can’t immediately cash out. Additionally, tokens might not appear in your wallet until manually imported using their contract address — typically found on platforms like Etherscan or the project’s website.

Some scam tokens might show up with false price data or include malicious “sell fee” traps. Always research unknown tokens before interacting with them.

Swapping and Bridging for Sell-Ready Assets

Most fiat off-ramps only support high-liquidity tokens like ETH or stablecoins (e.g., USDC). If your assets are on chains like Polygon or Arbitrum, you’ll need to bridge them to the Ethereum mainnet first. Tools like Symbiosis.finance simplify this by combining swapping and bridging into a single transaction flow.

Once you’ve converted to ETH or a supported stablecoin on Ethereum mainnet, you’re ready to begin the cash-out process.

Also read: How to File Crypto Taxes in the US for the 2024–2025 Season: A Step-by-Step Guide

Selling Directly via MetaMask Portfolio

MetaMask now offers a built-in fiat off-ramp through its “Buy & Sell” feature:

  1. Open MetaMask Portfolio and click “Move crypto” > “Sell.”
  2. Select your country and preferred currency.
  3. Enter the amount of ETH to sell.
  4. Choose from third-party providers like MoonPay or Transak.
  5. Complete KYC with the provider and finalize your transaction.

Note: The sell feature supports only ETH on Ethereum mainnet, and all third-party off-ramps require identity verification.

Using Centralized Exchanges to Cash Out

Prefer the traditional route? You can send your crypto from MetaMask to exchanges like Coinbase:

  • Transfer ETH or USDC from MetaMask to your Coinbase wallet.
  • Sell your crypto for fiat through the Coinbase interface.
  • Withdraw funds to a bank account or PayPal.

This method is beginner-friendly but requires full KYC compliance.

Peer-to-Peer and Non-KYC Options

For privacy-focused users, decentralized or low-KYC platforms offer alternatives:

  • Binance P2P: Sell crypto directly to other users, with escrow protection.
  • LocalCoinSwap or Bisq: Trade peer-to-peer with minimal KYC requirements, supporting a wide range of tokens and payment methods.
  • Crypto ATMs: Use your MetaMask wallet to scan QR codes and receive cash at a local machine — often with high fees and small KYC-free limits.

Always verify reputation and transaction safety when using non-custodial or decentralized methods.

Don’t Forget Taxes

Selling crypto — even swapping tokens — often creates a taxable event. Keep records of transaction dates, amounts, asset values, and fees to stay compliant. Tax rules vary widely, so consult a crypto-savvy accountant or legal adviser for your region.