A leading web browser Opera has announced that it is launching a desktop web browser with built-in crypto wallet functionality. The company already has a crypto wallet in Opera for Android for which it has received a positive response from the crypto-community and now has decided to soon ship crypto wallet access with its PC browser.
Charles Hamel, Product Lead of Opera Crypto said:
“By adding a crypto wallet directly into the browser, we removed the need for complex extensions or separate apps. Opening up the PC browser to crypto marks Opera’s second step towards making cryptocurrencies and Web 3.0 mainstream.”
Opera PC browser users will gain access to the crypto wallet present in their mobile Opera for Android browser. This means they will be able to browse Web 3.0 and use Dapps on their computers while signing payments securely with their fingerprint on their phones.
The crypto wallet in Opera for PCs removes two main obstacles currently associated with managing cryptocurrencies. Firstly, Opera users will no longer need to install and set up a crypto wallet extension in their PC browser. All they will need to do is to connect their Opera PC browser with the crypto wallet-enabled Opera mobile browser by simply scanning a QR code on their Opera PC browser. This will grant them access to their mobile wallet with cryptocurrencies and collectibles. Secondly, the phone’s secure system lock will be used to store the keys. This will allow people to sign transactions with their fingerprints instead of using long passphrases while maintaining the highest level of security. Hamel added:
“Some users prefer to perform crypto payments or interact with Dapps on their desktop. They can now do so in a simple way by using the same wallet they have on their mobile phone."
The new, integrated PC-mobile crypto wallet solution will be added to the Opera mobile and PC browsers soon, eventually enabling the company’s more than 322 million users to start using the wallet in their everyday lives and across their devices.
Krystian Kolondra, Opera’s EVP Browsers said:
“At Opera, we try to stay at the forefront of innovation. Our next aim is to make crypto-integration mainstream. We believe blockchain technology has the power to transform the web of tomorrow and expect it to make a big difference in the years to come. In the near future, Opera will be rolling out several updates to the crypto wallet program across its mobile and PC browsers."
Earlier this year in January, Opera had launched a crypto jacking protection for its mobile device users to become the first-ever browser to offer such a service.