Opera browser debuts stablecoin wallet MiniPay in Africa

cointelegraph.com:

The web platform Opera revealed its plans to launch a non-custodial stablecoin wallet integrated into its mobile web browser which will be made available to its user base in Africa. 

On Sept. 13, the web services provider introduced the MiniPay wallet integration, built on the Celo blockchain, that allows users in Africa to send or receive stablecoins by using their already existing mobile numbers.

Exciting news live from @dappcon_berlin's mainstage! cc: @RegenRene @jorgenarnesen @afishinparis Charles Hamel & Rosette Belesi.

It's finally here! We've partnered with global web innovator @Opera to launch @MiniPay––a first-of-its-kind stablecoin wallet built on Celo to onboard… pic.twitter.com/sEUp0yCKQe

Opera began its operations in Africa 17 years prior and now has over 100 million users on the continent. The launch of MiniPay will begin in the coming months and first start in Nigeria.

Jørgen Arnesen, the executive vice president for mobile at Opera, commented that:

The new MiniPay wallet will operate with sub-cent fees, and onboard and backup wallets through users’ Google credentials. 

It also has integrated with local payment methods including Airtime and MPesa, along with traditional bank transfers to allow its users to add and withdraw stablecoins from the wallet into the local currency.

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Celo also has a strong user base in Africa and says the integration “opens the door” for more Ethereum-compatible dApps to be built for MiniPay.

Cointelegraph reached out to both companies for further comment on the development.

In April of this year, Opera announced a new generative artificial intelligence (AI) integration into its then-latest browser update. The