Opera Releases Web3 Browser Beta Version For iPhone And iPad

Opera releases beta version of Web3 browser with built-in crypto wallet (photo: twitter @opera)

JAKARTA - Opera released a beta version of its Web3 browser with a built-in crypto wallet on Friday, April 15 for iOS, iPhone and iPad devices. Opera's Crypto Browser has been available for Mac and Windows desktop users, as well as Android phone users since January.

The release on mobile is the latest step in the Crypto Browser Project, a Web3-focused initiative to facilitate navigation across decentralized applications (DApps), games, and metaverse platforms.

According to Opera, these key features include an Opera Wallet with support for the Ethereum, Polygon, and Celo ecosystems to buy, sell and transfer tokens. Users can also restore an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible Wallet with a native Opera Wallet and integrate their existing assets and balances.

On the browser homepage, users can view the latest top NFT sales and news aggregators called “Crypto Corner,” with live updates on crypto asset prices and gas costs, as well as airdrops and even suggested educational resources.

The company also says the browser comes with cryptocurrency mining protection that blocks “cryptojacking” scripts that could compromise the performance of an iPhone or iPad device. Other security features include a native ad and tracker blocker, a pop-up blocker, and an intuitive Cookie Dialog Blocker.

According to Jorgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera as quoted by Cointelegraph, Crypto Browser is targeting growing interest in Web3, both from veteran crypto users and newcomers.

“Opera's Crypto Browser project was built to simplify the Web3 user experience that often confuses mainstream users. Opera believes Web3 must be easy to use to reach its full potential and mass adoption.”

Additionally, the browser company is adding support for eight major blockchain ecosystems — Bitcoin, Solana, Polygon, StarkEx, Ronin, Celo, Nervos Network, and IXO. Opera says that they plan to integrate more Proof-of-Stake chains in the future.

More recently, Opera partnered with Yat, a platform that allows the creation of emoji-based web addresses or URLs. Opera's "emojifications" allow users to surf the web across its platforms by entering certified Yats, or a series of emojis, into the URL bar instead of letters and words.