Overview
MyEtherWallet (MEW) launched in 2015, just after Ethereum itself, and was for years the most popular way to manage ETH. It is a free, open-source, self-custody interface: MEW never stores your keys.
Features
- Web interface to access a wallet with a hardware device, a MEW mobile app or other wallets.
- Send, receive and swap ETH and tokens.
- Interact with smart contracts and stake ETH.
- MEW also makes Enkrypt, a multichain browser extension.
Security
MEW itself has not been hacked, but it was a top phishing target. In 2018 attackers hijacked internet routing (a DNS/BGP attack) and redirected some users to a fake MEW site, stealing about $150,000. Always type the address yourself and prefer hardware wallets.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Open source, long history.
- Powerful tools for Ethereum.
- Great with hardware wallets.
Cons
- Web access invites phishing.
- Interface less modern than newer wallets.
- Ethereum-focused.
Who it’s for
Ethereum users who want a trusted interface for hardware wallets and smart contract tools.
Verdict
MEW is an Ethereum classic that remains useful, especially paired with a hardware wallet.