Opera has today announced the release of Reborn 3 – the latest version of its popular web browser – which includes a free virtual private network (VPN), Web 3 explorer, and a built-in cryptocurrency wallet.

Opera was founded in Norway back in 1995 and currently delivers browsers and AI-driven digital content discovery solutions to more than 320 million people worldwide.

The Opera browser is a fast and modern alternative to mainstream browsers such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

Opera 60 – codenamed Reborn 3 – seeks to enhance the quality of people’s digital lives through improved privacy and security features and also boasts a new browser interface design.

The press release illustrates how it is the first major browser to feature a native crypto wallet and Web 3 explorer.

Web 3 is dubbed by Opera as the blockchain-based “internet of the future”.

The inclusion of a virtual private network (VPN) is to aid users in retaining control and safety while browsing the web.

A VPN typically masks your IP address to provide anonymity.

The native crypto wallet in the PC browser will sync with the crypto wallet in the Opera browser for Android. This means that users’ private keys will not leave their smartphones.

In practice, this means that whenever users need to identify themselves to a Web 3 site or sign a transaction on the blockchain, they will receive a notification on their smartphone.

They can then confirm the transaction the same way they unlock their system – for example, by using facial recognition or their fingerprint.

The crypto wallet feature is reportedly planned to be added to Opera’s iOS browser – Opera Touch – soon.

Krystian Kolondra, EVP at Opera, commented: “Blockchain technology has evolved from just storing funds or speculation into a technology which will shape the internet of tomorrow.

“We decided to speed up the development of Web 3 by opening all of our browsers across all operating systems to it. This makes Opera the first major browser to do so.”

Interested in reading more Opera-related news? Discover how Opera enabled users to purchase Ethereum directly through its browser.