How to Set Up a Wallet for Hyperliquid
Step-by-step guide to setting up MetaMask or Rabby for Hyperliquid trading. No prior crypto experience needed.
You need a wallet. Here’s how to get one.
To trade on Hyperliquid — or use Purrdict for prediction markets — you need a crypto wallet. A wallet is just software that holds your private keys and lets you sign transactions. Think of it like a password manager for your crypto identity.
You don’t need to buy any crypto yet. Let’s just get the wallet set up first.
Option 1: MetaMask (most popular)
MetaMask is the most widely used crypto wallet. It works as a browser extension on Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge.
Step 1: Install MetaMask
Go to metamask.io and click “Download.” Choose the browser extension for your browser. Only install from the official site — there are fake MetaMask extensions out there.
Step 2: Create a new wallet
After installing, MetaMask will walk you through creating a wallet. You’ll:
- Set a password (this is just for your local device)
- See a Secret Recovery Phrase — 12 words that are the master key to your wallet
This is the most important part. Write down those 12 words on paper. Not in a notes app, not in a screenshot, not in an email. Paper. Store it somewhere safe. If you lose these words and lose access to your device, your funds are gone forever. If someone else gets these words, they can take everything.
I’m not being dramatic. This is how crypto works. Take the 30 seconds to write them down properly.
Step 3: You’re done
MetaMask will show you your wallet address — a long string starting with “0x”. This is your public address. You can share it freely (it’s like an email address for receiving crypto). Your private keys stay inside MetaMask.
Option 2: Rabby (better UX, growing fast)
Rabby is a newer wallet that’s gaining traction because it has a cleaner interface and some security features MetaMask lacks — like simulating transactions before you sign them so you can see what will happen.
Installation
Go to rabby.io and install the browser extension. The setup flow is similar to MetaMask: create a wallet, save your recovery phrase, done.
Rabby also lets you import an existing MetaMask wallet if you already have one. Just use your recovery phrase.
Why some people prefer Rabby
- Shows you what a transaction will do before you sign it (huge for avoiding scams)
- Cleaner interface with less clutter
- Auto-detects which network a dApp needs
- Works with the same sites and protocols as MetaMask
Either wallet works fine for Hyperliquid and Purrdict. Pick whichever you’re more comfortable with.
Connecting your wallet to Hyperliquid
Once your wallet is installed:
- Go to app.hyperliquid.xyz (for the main exchange) or app.purrdict.xyz (for prediction markets)
- Click “Connect Wallet” in the top right
- Your wallet extension will pop up asking you to confirm the connection
- Approve it
That’s it. You’ve connected. The site can now see your public address and request signatures from you — but it can never move your funds without your explicit approval on each transaction.
The agent wallet (one-time setup)
When you first start trading on Hyperliquid, you’ll be asked to approve an “agent” or “session key.” This is worth understanding.
Normally, every single trade would require a MetaMask popup where you click “Confirm.” That gets annoying fast if you’re placing multiple orders.
The agent key system lets you approve a temporary signing key once. After that, trades happen with one click — no popups. The agent key can only place and cancel orders on your behalf. It can’t withdraw funds or do anything else. And it expires after your session ends.
We wrote a full explanation of agent wallets if you want the details. But the short version: it’s safe, and it makes trading much faster.
A note on security
A few ground rules that will keep you safe:
- Never share your recovery phrase. No legitimate service will ever ask for it. If anyone — a “support agent,” a website, a DM on Discord — asks for your 12 words, it’s a scam. 100% of the time.
- Don’t store your recovery phrase digitally. Not in Google Docs, not in iCloud Notes, not in a text file. Paper only.
- Bookmark the sites you use. Go to Hyperliquid and Purrdict by typing the URL or using a bookmark. Don’t click links from Twitter, Discord, or emails — phishing sites look identical to real ones.
- Start small. When you first bridge funds and start trading, use a small amount until you’re comfortable with how everything works.
Mobile wallets
Both MetaMask and Rabby have mobile apps. They work with Hyperliquid’s mobile interface, but the trading experience is better on desktop. If you do use mobile, the same security rules apply — save your recovery phrase offline and don’t install from unofficial app stores.
What’s next?
Your wallet is set up. Now you need funds in it. Head over to our guide on how to deposit funds on Hyperliquid to bridge USDC and get ready to trade.
Or, if you just want to explore without real money, connect to Hyperliquid’s testnet — you’ll get free test USDC to play with on Purrdict.
Ready to try prediction markets? Purrdict is live on testnet — connect your wallet and start trading in under a minute.