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Opera is betting on blockchain technology to reach a new enthusiast or curious audience of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and Ethereum.
The browser maker announced today that Opera for Android is now a "browser blockchain" with access bolted to the Ethereum blockchain which is based on the existing portfolio of built-in cryptocurrencies.
In July, Opera launched a private beta of the Opera for Android Crypto-Wallet, which can be used to archive Ethereum and access decentralized apps based on Ethereum or "Dapps".
The idea is to lay the groundwork for Web 3.0 where apps are not installed on a phone, but are instead powered by decentralized networks and use cryptocurrencies for transactions.
It is hoped that the functionality will push the traditional use of cryptocurrencies beyond simple speculation – something that might be more likely after the collapse of Bitcoin prices. Thanks to this, Ethereum is also much cheaper, falling from $ 1,400 in January to $ 88 today.
To experience the new features of Web 3.0 that Opera is enabling, users will need to purchase a certain Ethereum currency and store it in their browser wallet. Users can then access Dapps from within the portfolio.
"I would like to invite all technology enthusiasts who may have heard of blockchain but we have not yet tried to simply give our new browser and Web 3.0," said Krystian Kolondra, Opera's EVP Browsers.
"We made it extremely easy, our hope is that this step will accelerate the transition of cryptocurrencies from speculation and investment to being used for actual payments and transactions in the daily lives of our users."
Opera accesses the Ethereum blockchain through a startup called Infura, which received support from Ethereum's venture capital firm Joseph Lubin, ConsenSys. ConsenSys supports apps based on Ethereum to grow the Dapp ecosystem.
Lubin describes Opera's new Ethereum feature as a "Dapp Explorer".
"We see this as an important moment to improve the accessibility of Dapp, to open Web 3.0 for the mainstream public and to encourage developers to build on Ethereum," Lubin said.
Opera's blockchain move follows the Chromium-based Brave browser this week, becoming the default browser for HTC Exodus 1, a niche phone for cryptocurrency fans. Brave was co-founded by Brendan Eich, a co-founder of Firefox-maker Mozilla.
As noted by CNET, Brave is attempting to address online advertising with BAT, or a basic attention token, the basis of its alternative advertising system that allows users, advertisers and publishers to exchange BAT tokens. The payment system is also based on the Ethereum blockchain.
The role of Brave in the system is to measure the user's attention on ads and content in the active browser tab. Users viewing ads are rewarded with BAT, which can be used to access premium content on the BAT platform. Publishers will also receive tokens based on the user's attention.
Later this year, BAT will be used to send advertiser payments to Brave and the brave users who opt for the system. It also plans to collaborate with publishers.
The idea is to lay the groundwork for Web 3.0 where apps are not installed on a phone, but are instead powered by decentralized networks and use cryptocurrencies for transactions.
Image: Opera
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