Step 1: Download a browser wallet extension

Let's use Phantom wallet as an example.

To download the Phantom wallet extension, navigate to phantom.app/download and select the browser you are currently using (Chrome, Brave, Firefox or Edge).

For mobile, choose the operating system of your mobile device.

After installing the extension, select 'Create a new wallet.'

If you want an in-depth guide on Phantom and other wallets, head over to the Solana wallet guide.

Step 2: Configure a seed phrase

Next, you’ll be asked to generate a password and a new seed phrase for your wallet.

A seed phrase is a series of 12 (or more) cryptographically generated words that provides access to your wallet and all of its digital assets which only you can use.

Seed phrases can also help you recover your wallet in case you lose the device you initially installed it on. Due to the extreme importance of seed phrases, it is recommended to write it down and store it in a safe location that only you have access to. 

You should never share your seed phrase with anyone.

Step 4: Get Some $SOL

In order to start trading on Drift, you will first need to acquire $SOL, the native currency of the Solana blockchain required for transactions. To do this you can do one of the following: 

• Acquire SOL on an exchange such as Binance, Coinbase or Kraken and then send it to your Solana wallet
• Send SOL from another wallet to your Solana wallet
• Bridge SOL from another blockchain to your Solana wallet

If you'd like to bridge digital assets from other blockchains like Ethereum, Polygon, and Avalanche to Solana, read the How To Bridge Assets guide.

Step 5: Connect to Drift

Once you have acquired some $SOL, navigate to app.drift.trade and, select the “Connect Wallet” button in the top right corner.

Step 6: In-wallet confirmation

When first connecting to Drift, you will be asked to sign a confirmation message in your Phantom wallet. You will need to pay a small one-time fee of 0.035 SOL to set up a trading account.

Step 7: Deposit funds

Before you can start trading, you will first need to deposit some funds.

Currently, Drift accepts USDC as SOL as collateral. If you do not have these assets in your wallet, you can swap into them directly in Phantom or on Jupiter. 

Click on the “Deposit” button located in the top right corner of your screen and choose the amount you want to deposit.

If you would like to withdraw funds from Drift, click on “Withdraw” inside the same window you used to deposit and select the amount you wish to withdraw. 

Step 8: Start trading, earning yield, and borrowing on Drift.

Once you’ve reached this point you have successfully set up your wallet and connected to Drift.