An Ethereum address does not live on Solana. Different curve, different address shape. So MetaMask with “Solana switched on” is not a substitute for a real Solana wallet.

Phantom is the familiar hot wallet for Solana (and not only Solana now). Official site: phantom.com.

Install

  1. phantom.com → extension or mobile app via their links.
  2. Create wallet. 12 words on paper.
  3. Save the Solana address (not 0x).
  4. Withdraw SOL (gas) to that address from the exchange, then USDC/USDT on Solana — not ERC-20.

Without SOL you cannot sign even a “free” swap: the network fee is still in SOL. See gas.

Buying a token once you are on-chain: Jupiter. Checking it arrived: Crypto360 with the Solana address.