Understanding ChainID in Metamask

When connecting to the Kaleido blockchain using Metamask, users often wonder why they need to specify a ‘chainID’ when creating an account or saving private keys on Metamask. However, this is where the documentation provides misleading information.

The Kaleido developer documentation ( states that ‘chainID’ is optional. This can be confusing for users who are not familiar with smart contract development or blockchain terminology.

Reality: ChainID is required

To connect to the Kaleido blockchain using Metamask, you must specify a valid ‘chainID’. If you do not provide this information, you will receive an error message indicating that your request cannot be processed. This is because Kaleido requires a specific chain ID to authenticate and authorize transactions.

Why Metamask doesn’t allow saving without a ChainID

The documentation also states that Metamask doesn’t allow users to save private keys without specifying a ‘chainID’. However, this statement is false. You can actually create a Metamask account without specifying a chainID by using the ‘Create Account’ feature. This allows you to store your private key without providing a chain ID.

Best Practice: Specify a ChainID or Use MetaMask’s ‘Create Account’ Feature

To ensure seamless connections to the Kaleido blockchain, it is recommended that users specify a valid ‘chainID’ when creating a Metamask account. However, if you prefer not to provide this information, you can use the ‘Create Account’ feature without specifying a chain ID.

Example Use Cases:

  • Creating an Account Without a ChainID Specified: You can create a Metamask account by clicking “Create Account” and entering your private key. This will allow you to store your private key without providing a chainID.
  • Using the “Create Account” feature with no chainID specified: When creating an account, you can click “Options” and select “ChainID” from the dropdown menu. Then, select a valid chainID that matches Kaleido.

Conclusion:

In summary, specifying a “chainID” is not required when connecting to the Kaleido blockchain using Metamask. To ensure successful connections and prevent errors, it is important to provide a valid chainID or use the “Create Account” feature without specifying one. This way, you can take advantage of the benefits of metamask while maintaining security and authenticity in your interactions with the Kaleido blockchain.