An Introduction to Opera Crypto

Most of you are probably already familiar with Metamask, which basically is a Chrome/Firefox extension that can be used as an Ethereum wallet or to access and run DAppps with no need to run a full node. Metamask inserts the Ethereum Web3 API into a website's JAVA context to allow DApps to read it from the Blockchain.

However, would it not be ideal if the wallet did not require a third party extension, and could be directly accessed from a browser, here comes the good part. Opera, a popular software company behind Opera Browser (a full-featured, standards-compliant and Chromium-based browser), is currently testing out Opera Crypto, a cryptocurrency wallet compatible with Android mobile devices and does not need an app, nor third party extension like Metamask. The added security that it offers to protect and secure the wallet is with the Android System lock.
The wallet asks permission for each website that requests wallet data, similar to other web permission that request access to storage or functions e.g. camera. This possibility is derived by adding the Crypto wallet function on an existing, full-featured browser.

You can make transactions by tapping a QR code-generating button, and has Coinbase integrated which will allow you to purchase products from a selection of online merchants that the browser supports e.g. the Opera Crypto Store.

Charles Hamel, product lead on Opera Crypto, gave his reason to create the wallet in a press release:

“Having a Crypto Wallet in the browser brings the cash experience to the world of online payments,” “Paying with the Crypto Wallet is like sending digital cash straight from your phone, and we’ve just made it easier.”

"We believe the web of today will be the interface to the decentralized web of tomorrow…By becoming the first major browser to open up to Web 3.0, we would like to contribute to making the internet of the future more accessible."

Opera has decided offer suppport for Ethereum, "as it has the largest community of developers building Dapps and has gathered a lot of momentum behind it." However in the future they're planning on extending wallet support to other cryptocurrencies and networks.

Once released, just like Metamask, Opera Crypto will be supporting the Ethereum Web3 API, a collection of libraries that enable developers to connect with local/ remote Ethereum nodes and P2P networks, ERC20 tokens (which are automatically added to your wallet’s home screen) and ERC721 collectibles e.g. Crypto Kitties. Web3 will be useful for DApps such as WeiFund (an open platform for crowdfunding campaigns) specifically designed for Web3 browsers encompassing embedded wallets.

As of today, Opera Crypto is in private beta so you can use your Google or G Suite account to request an invite to test it via the Opera website: opera.com/crypto.

To get started on the beta:
Request the invite
Confirm your email address
Once confirmed you will receive another link to the private beta preview
Once installed, tap on the red Opera logo
Select Crypto Wallet.
Choose create a new wallet or import an existing one (using the 12-word backup phrase)
Tap the blue DApps button to explore some of the DApps