Opera Announces the Launch of Web 3 Focused Crypto Browser

Opera Limited has launched the beta version of its new ‘Crypto Browser Project,’ an internet browser featuring built-in Web 3.0 integrations.

According to the company, the newly launched product aims to target ‘the crypto-native and the crypto-curious,’ with Opera’s in-house crypto wallet at the center of its user experience. 

Opera’s New Web3, Crypto-Focused Initiative

The Norway-based firm has released the beta version of its new Crypto Browser Project which aims to facilitate the all-over user experience in terms of DApps, gaming, and metaverse platforms.

By offering direct access to Web3 services for Windows, Mac, and Android users the project aims to build its community of crypto enthusiasts. 

The last version of Opera browser had a no-login VPN, and native Ad tracker and blocker that help to make the user experience more secure and less time-consuming. While integrating direct access to decentralized exchanges (DEXs), NFTs, and gaming DApps, alongside Telegram and Twitter support, the new browser will also maintain the previously featured security features. 

One feature of the new crypto browser that stands out is that users can switch between applications without signing in to their wallets while accessing a new tab, which would work for apps with an Opera wallet integration.

While Opera launched the first web browser with an integrated cryptocurrency wallet and basic Web 3.0 support in 2018, the latest announcement focuses on the launch of a dedicated Web 3.0 browser.

For now, the current Opera wallet is exclusively compatible with Ethereum, however, the company is expected to integrate Polygon and Solana compatibility in Q1 2022 itself. The same could potentially boost interoperability, scalability, and exposure to a low fee environment.

The dedicated Web 3.0 browser is designed to work with DApps and provide deeper functionality than a traditional browser that has a basic web wallet add-on.

Competitors Inching Closer

While Opera is one of the top names in the industry, competitors like Brave have been keeping up with the market pretty well. The privacy-protecting browser company Brave announced the launch of its Brave Wallet, a crypto-wallet backed into the desktop browser a couple of months ago. 

Brave’s BAT token, however, has maintained lower price levels and is currently down almost 50% from its November price highs. Nonetheless, in terms of growth and development, it presents a good trajectory and could act as a strong competitor for the new Opera browser.