Byline: Fhumulani Lukoto
Photo by: Denny Müller on Unsplash
The popular web browser Opera Mini has recently announced a significant upgrade to its crypto wallet, MiniPay.
Overview
As part of its commitment to providing users with accessible and efficient digital financial services, MiniPay now supports two major stablecoins: USDT (Tether) and USDC (USD Coin). This development marks a strategic move for Opera, aligning with the increasing global adoption of cryptocurrencies and digital payments. MiniPay, a stablecoin-based self-custodial wallet integrated into Opera Mini, is introducing a new feature called Pockets, which allows users to perform one-click swaps between the Celo dollar (cUSD) and the newly added stablecoins.
On July 3 2024, the upgrade suggested that MiniPay users can easily switch between USDC and Pockets; MiniPay revealed that USDT and cUSD have sub-cent fees and no hidden costs with a drag-and-drop motion. Executive Vice President (EVP) of Mobile at Opera, Jørhen Arnsen, said, “This feature abstracts assets swapping in Web3, allowing users to effortlessly swap between all 3 stablecoins by simply dragging coins between virtual pockets, never having to worry about gas fees.”
The Integration of USDT and USDC: A Game-Changer
Stablecoins like USDT and USDC have gained substantial traction in the crypto market due to their stability and low volatility, making them ideal for everyday transactions. By integrating these stablecoins into MiniPay, Opera Mini aims to enhance the utility and appeal of its crypto wallet, offering users a reliable and straightforward way to transact using digital currencies pegged to the US dollar.
USDT and USDC are among the most widely used stablecoins, each boasting billions of dollars in market capitalisation. USDT, issued by Tether, is one of the oldest and most established stablecoins. At the same time, USDC, a product of a collaboration between Circle and Coinbase, has quickly risen in prominence due to its regulatory compliance and transparency. By supporting these stablecoins, MiniPay broadens its user base and provides a safer and more stable environment for users new to the crypto space. In addition to the new feature Pockets, MiniPay launched a Discovery Page for decentralised applications (DApps) within the wallet. The page is integrated to organise multiple native apps, giving users direct access to tools like Universal Basic Income protocols and saving applications and games.
Enhancing the User Experience with Seamless Transactions
One of the primary goals of integrating USDT and USDC into MiniPay is to improve the overall user experience. With these stablecoins, users can conduct transactions quickly and securely without worrying about the price volatility that often affects other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH). MiniPay is an attractive option for those using digital currencies for everyday purchases or remittances. Moreover, the integration simplifies converting between cryptocurrencies and fiat money. Users can easily convert their USDT or USDC into their local currency, making it more convenient to manage their finances.
This feature mainly benefits regions with unstable local currencies, providing a more stable alternative for saving and transacting. Launched September 2023, MiniPay operates on the Belo blockchain and utilises Mento’s stablecoin cUSD, which is tied to the value of the US dollar. Experts at {funnel name} mentioned that initially introduced in Africa, the wallet extension aimed to assist local communities in sending and receiving stablecoins via mobile numbers. Arnsen said, “Given the lack of fixed internet access and high internet costs, we recognised the significant potential of blockchain-enabled peer-to-peer solutions within the continent.” Arnsen added, “Our research showed that most consumers had concerns over the high fees, unreliable service uptimes, and lack of transparency around transaction progress associated with local payment options. While high mobile-data costs were and still are an omnipresent issue.”
Opera Mini’s Commitment to Financial Inclusion
Opera Mini has long been recognised for bridging the digital divide and promoting financial inclusion, especially in developing regions. Adding USDT and USDC to MiniPay aligns with this mission by providing users access to stable financial instruments that are less susceptible to inflation and currency devaluation. Traditional banking services are inaccessible or unreliable in many parts of the world. By offering a crypto wallet that supports stablecoins, Opera Mini empowers users to participate in the global digital economy, regardless of their local financial infrastructure. This can have profound implications for individuals and businesses in these regions, enabling them to save, invest, and transact with greater security and efficiency.
Furthermore, MiniPay’s user-friendly interface and integration with the Opera Mini browser make it accessible even to those with limited technical knowledge. This ease of use, combined with the stability offered by USDT and USDC, positions MiniPay as a powerful tool for enhancing financial inclusion and literacy. MiniPay has seen over three million wallet activations across Ghana, Kenya, South Africa (SA) and Nigeria, becoming one of the fastest-growing digital wallets on the continent. Africa has quickly emerged as a continent with significant interest in crypto. He concluded, “Today, Opera Mini is the most downloaded mobile browser in Africa with nearly 100 million users.” BitcoinAfrica.io highlighted that in 2023, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ghana and SA were the top five African countries adopting BTC.
Including USDT and USDC in Opera Mini’s MiniPay crypto wallet is a significant step forward in the company’s mission to provide accessible and stable financial services to a global audience. By integrating these stablecoins, MiniPay offers users a secure, efficient, and user-friendly platform for digital transactions. This move enhances MiniPay’s utility and underscores Opera Mini’s commitment to financial inclusion and innovation in the rapidly evolving digital economy.