Opera (NASDAQ: OPRA), “the company behind the popular multi-platform web browser”, has added support for BNB Chain in its “Crypto Browser” project.

On February 15, Binance announced BNB Chain, which it referred to as “the Evolution of Binance Smart Chain.” Binance said that the BNB Chain network has two components:

  • “BNB Beacon Chain (previously Binance Chain) – BNB Chain Governance (Staking, Voting)“
  • “BNB Smart Chain (BSC) (Previously Binance Smart Chain) – EVM compatible, consensus layers, and with hubs to multi-chains“

According to a report (published on May 5) by Cointelegraph, users of Opera’s Crypto Browser now have access to BNB Chain-based DApps on Android, iOS, and desktop devices. 

Users can now purchase fuel/governance token $BNB (formerly known as Binance Coin), which stands for “Build and Build“,via fiat through the built-in Opera crypto wallet, in addition to transferring the token between addresses. The extensive DApp list available through BNB Chain includes access to several popular decentralized exchanges (DEXs), such as PancakeSwap, 1inch, and BiSwap. 

According to a press release issued by Opera on April 14, “Web 3 is gaining momentum, with a record 34 thousand developers having joined the space in 2021 to work on a growing number of dApps.” Unfortunately, “the Web3-experience for users has, however, been oftentimes far from intuitive and traditionally not optimized for iOS users.” With the recently-introduced iOS support, Opera’s Crypto Browser — “a dedicated web3 browser with a built-in non-custodial crypto wallet” — seems “primed to take adoption and ease of use up a notch.”

The press release went on to say Opera Crypto Browser’s iOS release “follows the earlier January beta release on Mac, Windows, and Android” and that the aim of the Crypto Browser project is “a simplified user experience across decentralized apps (dapps), games, and metaverse platforms.” The browser “features a news and data aggregator named ‘Crypto Corner,’ a bespoke start page focused on live crypto information and updates, crypto asset prices and gas fees, as well as crypto events, airdrops, and even podcasts.”

Jorgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera, said: 

“The interest in Web3 is continuing to grow. The Opera Crypto Browser Project was built to simplify the Web3 user experience that has often been bewildering for mainstream users. Opera believes Web3 has to be easy to use in order to reach its full potential and a mass adoption.”

Here’s what crypto support means:

“In the Opera Crypto Browser Project, users gain access to an Integrated non-custodial Crypto Wallet supporting Ethereum, Polygon, and Celo blockchain ecosystems with more blockchain integration already on the roadmap. The browser’s key features include a non-custodial crypto wallet with the ability to buy crypto with fiat, send, receive, and swap the tokens of any supported blockchain, as well as seamless and direct access to decentralized exchanges, Web3-based NFTs, and gaming Dapps – including over 7,000 Polygon-based services. Web3 can be accessed as seamlessly as accessing any website on Web2.

“The browser on iOS also boasts the ability to restore any Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible Wallet with the native Opera Wallet, allowing users to integrate their existing assets and balances into their Crypto Browser setup.”

Opera also mentioned that:

“The browser was also designed to address crypto’s growing pains. As Web3 is surging, users and developers increasingly look towards more efficient and environmentally-friendly PoS and Layer 2 chains which enable cheaper transactions and a much lower energy consumption than PoW blockchains. To address this, Opera has partnered with Polygon and will be integrating more PoS chains in the future. Polygon consumes just 0.00079 terawatts (TWh) of electricity per year — significantly less than the energy-intensive Proof-of-Work (PoW) blockchain networks which average between 35 to 140 (TWh) per year.”

Disclaimer

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