Get a wallet
To own blockchain-based assets like cryptocurrencies and NFTs—including the Yellowstone Firepit Crew—you'll need a wallet, which serves as your blockchain 'mailing address.'
1. Choose a wallet service
There are many trusted providers compatible with Polygon: MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Alpha Wallet, etc. (full list).
For simplicity's sake, we'll use MetaMask on iOS for this tutorial. All wallets involve similar interfaces and set-up steps.
To get started, follow the download links on MetaMask.io for Chrome, iOS, or Android.
Tip: MetaMask mobile supports native NFT viewing, unlike the Chrome plug-in.
Screenshot: MetaMask download options
2. Create a wallet
After downloading an app/plug-in, you can create a wallet.
MetaMask first asks you to save a 12-word phrase to recover your wallet if you forget the password (tip: save the phrase in a password manager).
Then, MetaMask unveils the 42-character public address for your new wallet (e.g., highlighted text in the screenshot).
To receive your collectible:
Click/tap the address to copy it to your clipboard.
Reply to the Yellowstone Crew order confirmation with your new wallet address in the email body and we'll deliver your collectible within 2–3 business days.
If you face challenges setting up a wallet, email orders@firepitcrew.org and we'll help you troubleshoot.
Caution: Save your password/recovery phrase somewhere safe. If you lose both, we can't help you recover any lost collectibles/assets.
Screenshot: MetaMask iOS wallet, new wallet created
Tips to use your wallet
To view and use your collectible, you'll want to connect to some NFT services and potentially adjust settings in your wallet.
If you have trouble using your wallet, email orders@firepitcrew.org and we'll help.
3. Connect to NFT services
The easiest way to view/interact with your NFTs is through a trusted marketplace like OpenSea, which maintains better NFT data feeds than wallets.
Like most web3 services, you connect to OpenSea through your wallet (no new account needed).
Find "Connect with wallet," then select your wallet provider.
If using OpenSea's app, you'll be sent to your mobile wallet to approve. If using OpenSea's website, you'll either receive a pop-up prompt if using a browser/plug-in wallet or scan a QR code via "Wallet Connect" if using a mobile wallet.
Once connected to OpenSea (iOS/Android/website), you should see your Yellowstone Crew NFT(s) under the "Hidden" tab (e.g., OpenSea iOS in the screenshot).
Tip: OpenSea's website has more functionality than its iOS/Android apps: make hidden NFTs visible, transfer NFTs to other wallets, list NFTs for sale, name your wallet, etc.
Screenshot: OpenSea iOS App, connected to MetaMask iOS wallet
One of our favorite blockchain unlocks is the ability to use one wallet across many web3 services. So long, usernames and passwords.
We hope you'll use your new wallet to explore other areas of this fast-growing space like gaming and decentralized finance.
4. Add Polygon network
As soon as you have an address, your new wallet can receive assets on any Ethereum-based blockchain, including Polygon.
But to interact with assets via the wallet app/plug-in, you need to add the applicable blockchain.
Two options to add Polygon to MetaMask:
1) Add Polygon automatically using PolygonScan, as explained in this tutorial, or by connecting to Chainlist.
2) Add Polygon manually in the app/plug-in settings.
MetaMask iOS: Menu > Settings > Networks > Add Network
Network Name: Polygon Mainnet | New RPC URL: https://polygon-rpc.com | Chain ID: 137 | Symbol: MATIC | Block Explorer URL: https://polygonscan.com
After adding Polygon, you can toggle between networks in the app/plug-in for different assets/services (e.g., MetaMask iOS in screenshot). For more tips, see MetaMask's FAQs.
Screenshot: MetaMask iOS wallet, toggle to Polygon
5. Import token contract to wallet
Your wallet probably won't automatically display your NFT, even after delivery. To do so, the wallet provider would need to constantly scan many blockchain programs/transactions.
If you'd like to see your NFT in the wallet, you'll need to import the contract and token ID.
If you bought Yellowstone Crew #0268 (a grizzly at Lake):
• Address: 0xa931BD6A2718434056DbB58f124Ea41F67Aaa346 (consistent across all Yellowstone Crew collectibles)
• ID: 268 (substitute your collectible's number)
Screenshot: MetaMask iOS wallet, Polygon import
Learn more
Blockchain
Blockchains like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Polygon are databases maintained across multiple independent computers. Anyone can view the current state of the blockchain and no single party can make unilateral changes.
When you use blockchain-based services, you don't need to place as much trust in companies like Facebook to manage your data/assets or enforce platform rules.
Ownership of Yellowstone Crew artwork is tracked on the Polygon blockchain. Polygon relies on the same programming language as Ethereum (called Solidity), but is faster, cheaper and more environmentally friendly (by 99%+).
Blockchains that use Solidity are generally compatible with any wallet built for Ethereum like MetaMask—similar to how a card reader can handle Visa and Mastercard, even though each network operates on its own financial infrastructure.
To interact with assets on any specific blockchain, your wallet needs to be configured. MetaMask comes pre-configured for Ethereum's mainnet and testnets, since it was originally built for Ethereum, but not Polygon's mainnet.
Find a list of Ethereum-based blockchains here for reference.
Wallets
Blockchain interactions generally occur through wallets. As such, the only way to own cryptocurrency or NFTs is through a wallet.
Each wallet consists of a public key and private key, analogous to a mailing address and password, respectively. To receive assets, you need to provide your public key (or address). To approve transactions like sales/transfers, you need to sign with your private key (or password).
Services like MetaMask and Trust Wallet make it more intuitive to manage your public/private keys, while still leaving you with full custody over your wallet.
Your wallet also serves as your gateway to any services built on a compatible blockchain. Unlike traditional web services, you don't need to create a new username/password for each new service—you can just sign in using your wallet.
You can create as many wallets as you'd like.
NFTs and smart contracts
Most tokens, including NFTs, are just programs running on a blockchain (aka smart contracts).
An NFT program consists of a number of functions, key ones including:
• Return of metadata/images for a given token ID
• A wallet's balance of any given token by ID
• Ability to transfer ownership of tokens by ID
So when you buy an NFT, the program registers a balance of one in your wallet for that token's ID. Your wallet reads program entries and displays an NFT for any token IDs with a balance greater than zero.
In summary, you're buying commercial rights to the image and its traits (shared with other edition owners, of course) and your ownership is recorded for the world to see on the Polygon blockchain.
Review the Yellowstone Firepit Crew program/smart contract here: 0xa931BD6A2718434056DbB58f124Ea41F67Aaa346