Opera

Opera Adds Built-in Crypto Wallet to Mobile Browser

As the battle of the browsers wages on, platforms seek new ways to entice users onto their software. Norwegian browser provider Opera has jumped onto the crypto bandwagon by offering a browser based crypto wallet for smartphones.

Cryptocurerncy wallets are nothing new however this is the first of its kind to come built-in from a web browser provider. According to reports the new ‘Crypto Wallet’ is still in beta and will be made available for Opera’s Android browser. Being integrated into the browser enhances user friendliness as switching between browsing and crypto trading is simplified.

The company has released a short video explaining how to use the new wallet;

According to Charles Hamel, product lead on Opera Crypto;

“Having a Crypto Wallet in the browser brings the cash experience to the world of online payments. Paying with the Crypto Wallet is like sending digital cash straight from your phone, and we’ve just made it easier.” He added “Our hope is that this will accelerate the transition of cryptocurrencies from speculation and investment to being used for actual payments and transactions in our users’ daily lives,”

The wallet has a simple user interface that does not use PIN numbers or passwords to authorize transactions. Instead it uses the device’s unlock screen code such as a fingerprint. With Ethereum Web3 API integration the system can support dApps, tokens and crypto collectibles. It includes a shortcut to a select number of dApps and games based on Ethereum in addition to a range of crypto merchandise.

Opera has hinged the success of this product on the complexity of using other crypto wallets, its ease of use will be the draw. Hamel added that “This opens up new possibilities for merchants and content creators alike,” The new wallet is integrated with Coinbase which enables users to pay for items and services in stores that support cryptocurrencies. Sending and receiving is as easy as generating a QR code and it forges a way to make crypto easier to deal with for the uninitiated.

Opera has previously dabbled in crypto this year. In March the firm updated the browser’s currency converter to include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin, and in January it upgraded software to include anti-mining malware protection for Opera mini and Opera Android.