Opera, one of the leading crypto-friendly internet browsers, has announced the integration of eight blockchains as part of its ongoing campaign to bring Web3 to the world’s over 380 million mobile and desktop users.
Ethereum will now be joined by Polygon, Celo, Solana, Ronin, StarkEx, Nervos DAO, IXO, and Bitcoin, the Norwegian company announced.
Susie Batt, lead of the Crypto Ecosystem at Opera, said the company’s desktop crypto browser can now access Polygon and will soon integrate with the rest.
All are accessible via the Android browser, but there was no timetable on iOS.
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Opera’s Web3 Push
Beginning Wednesday, customers will have access to the extensive ecosystems of Polygon or Solana dApps, as well as the benefits of Layer 2 DeFi, via DiversiFi, which is powered by StarkWare.
Moreover, Opera expressed support for the Ronin blockchain, which is home to the popular Axie Infinity GameFi project.
Opera announced the public beta version of their new Crypto Browser Project for mobile and desktop devices earlier this year.
The CBP is a stand-alone browser that features built-in support for decentralized applications and a non-custodial crypto wallet.
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Also, it contains Crypto Corner, a hub for the latest cryptocurrency news, pricing, gas fees, and market monitoring, as well as information on planned airdrops and an events calendar.
Jorgen Arnesen, Opera’s EVP for Mobile, stated:
“Ultimately, Web3 will become a mainstream web technology, and consumers will be unaware they are interacting with it. They must receive an enhanced user experience and a genuine advantage.”
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Opera Sets Sights On Crypto
Since 2018, Opera has been developing cryptocurrency products for its growing fan base.
But it is not the only browser focused on cryptocurrencies that is banking on a boom of Web 3 adoption.
Brave has also included a built-in cryptocurrency wallet, with goals to expand its support to further blockchains. These efforts would increase its customers’ access to various decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems, including layer 2 chains.
As Batt put it:
“Web3 requires a Web 2 overhaul – both in terms of user interface and user experience – in order to attract mass audiences. That is an area in which Opera shines.”
According to the Oslo-based company, layer-2 ecosystems are critical to its objective of remaining chain-agnostic and onboarding millions of users to Web3.
Layer-2 blockchain networks are those that are created on top of a bigger mainnet (or “layer 1”), such as Ethereum. By offloading activity from the mainnet, these types of networks may scale considerably more quickly.
In the meantime, Blockchain networks are not risk-free. The admission by Ronin on Tuesday of a $625 million attack raises concerns about safety and security, particularly on token bridges.
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