The absence of an established browser to help users navigate the Blockchain was broadly felt since Metaverse took over. People needed to scour for information because the Metaverse is not a single thread, but a connection intertwined by multiple layers. It became increasingly important to have an established browser with high-security features to make Web3 navigation convenient for all. Catering to this, Opera stepped into the crypto field. First, it introduced a browser-in-built crypto wallet and now a dedicated crypto browser.
Opera is known for its privacy and security features built into the browser—such as a free virtual private network service with no logging, a native ad blocker, and a tracking-blocker. Users can also use a secure clipboard built right into the browser, allowing them to copy and paste without losing information safely. In 2018, Opera started to move into the crypto space post the sudden crypto boom and was the pioneer in integrating browser-in-built crypto wallets. Now, Opera has launched its own fully crypto-centric browser.
The Crypto browser continues Opera’s vision of developing specialized browsers for the global audience. The browser boasts a pre-installed crypto wallet, and it primarily functions as a dedicated Web3 browser. The browser is optimized for various blockchain projects and supports multiple cryptocurrency integrations. Albeit many believe the crypto browser may be the much-asked upgrade over the conventional desktop browser, it doesn’t seem to replace it. Instead, it integrates a new search ecosystem- blockchain and cryptocurrency.
The following are a couple of notable features of Opera’s Crypto Browser Project:
- Integrated non-custodial cryptocurrency wallet.
- A safe clipboard that stores the most relevant information in the app.
- The browser includes support for decentralized apps (dApps).
- Third-party crypto wallet extensions are supported.
- The browser also features a built-in VPN and it stores zero logs.
- Adblocker and tracker blocker is included as built-in extensions.
- Integration with Twitter, WhatsApp, Spotify, and Telegram.
- Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Celo blockchain networks are all supported.
- NEAR, Handshake, Solana, and Polygon networks will be supported in the future.
Opera’s crypto browser is based on the Chromium foundations as its current desktop browser, but it now involves numerous Web3 features. (In some contexts, Web3 is used interchangeably with blockchain technology, which also refers to a decentralized web platform managed by tokens.) Opera crypto browser entails building an integrated crypto wallet and providing quick access to cryptocurrency news, airdrops, and NFTs. The project comprises support for distributed apps, or dApps, a collection of decentralized apps that Opera claims offer more features and functions than conventional addons.
“Web browsing developments cater to put Web3 at the center and make blockchain technology user-friendly and easy to understand for all. With the Crypto Browser Project, Opera is trying to enhance this further. Opera aims to take Web3 ahead of exceptional ideas, covering both just starting out and experts in the crypto space. The team behind the project believes that the blockchain-verse needs a completely dedicated browsing experience,” commented Dev Sharma, CEO of Blockwiz, a leading crypto marketing agency.
Opera has added integrations with crypto platforms Celo and Nevros. The company also announced partnerships with the layer two protocols Near, Polygon and Solana. Competition with Opera in the crypto browser market includes the privacy-focused Brave browser, including an ad blocker and its built-in wallet, which recently passed 50 million monthly active users.
