- Albacore shares screenshots revealing Microsoft’s integration of a crypto wallet in Edge browser.
- The wider release of Edge wallet is possible; Albacore suggests an optional opt-in trial.
- Opera browser integrates a crypto wallet and dapp connection with Brave as is its primary competitor.
Albacore, an anonymous software researcher based in central Europe, recently shared screenshots on Twitter revealing that Microsoft has implemented code to incorporate a non-custodial cryptocurrency wallet into their default Edge browser.
Albacore, who is known for researching software without revealing their identity, shared screenshots on Twitter showcasing a user interface for a decentralized application explorer, a cryptocurrency wallet, a news feed, and the option to purchase cryptocurrency through Coinbase and MoonPay. While the new feature has already been incorporated into recent versions of Microsoft Edge, it remains concealed and unavailable to users.
Albacore also advises that Microsoft frequently develops and evaluates various projects that may never be publicly released. The researcher added,
Edge team are kings of throwing every imaginable thing at the wall and seeing if it sticks.
Albacore on Microsoft Edge
Moreover, they noted that the list of outdated and unproductive features that Microsoft has tested and eliminated is extensive.
However, Albacore confirmed that the Edge wallet operates properly.
As per Albacore, a wider release of the Edge wallet feature is possible, as they were able to use it without difficulty. Nevertheless, if Microsoft chooses to conduct a small-scale trial, Albacore suggests making it optional, so users who are interested can opt-in while others can avoid it.
In 1995, Microsoft introduced its first web browser, Internet Explorer, which coincided with the launch of the Opera browser. Although Microsoft replaced Internet Explorer with Edge in 2020, Opera has developed various versions of its browser and integrated a cryptocurrency wallet as well as a dapp connection into its Opera Crypto Browser.
Albacore believes that Microsoft’s entry into the cryptocurrency wallet market may be an effort to offer comparable features to Brave Browser, Opera’s primary competitor, which is known for its privacy-centric approach and Web3 functionality.
Albacore suggested that Microsoft may be testing the waters to determine if users would be interested in additional features similar to those found in Brave.
