The latest version of the Opera browser for Android now allows Bitcoin payments to be directly made from within the browser’s crypto wallet.

The ability to easily send and receive Bitcoin is an important facet of mainstream cryptocurrency adoption. Another step in mainstream acceptance has been taken as the latest version of the Opera browser for Android devices now features Bitcoin support for the browser’s crypto wallet.

A Major Milestone

Opera is the first browser to enable Bitcoin payments from inside the browser itself. It was last December when the browser launched its crypto wallet. The initial cryptocurrency supported by the wallet was Ethereum, but now the world’s foremost digital currency has been added with the latest update, version 54.

The browser notes:

With this release, Opera opens its crypto wallet to the world’s most popular blockchain, making it possible to send and receive BTC directly from the browser the way one would an image or a music file. This means anyone can now not only send Bitcoin and Ethereum to another person, but can also use it while interacting with websites to pay for goods or services.

However, Bitcoin is not coming alone. The browser has also added support for the Tron (TRX) blockchain and Tron Dapps. Tron founder Justin Sun says:

Opera is one of the most important software companies in the world. They are bringing security, privacy, and dynamic cryptocurrency capabilities to hundreds of millions of users. We are proud to connect the largest, active blockchain ecosystem to the best web browser ever built.

What makes this step important is that it exposes easy cryptocurrency trading to hundreds of millions of people. Opera only has a 3% share in terms of browser usage, but a total of 350 million people use it across multiple platforms. The Bitcoin addition is currently only for the Android version, but it is expected to eventually roll out to other platforms.

Mainstream Adoption Grows

The ability to spend Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Tron from within the Opera browser is just the latest step in growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies. Last May, the Flexa payments network partnered with the Gemini exchange to create the SPEDN app. This app allows users to spend Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and the Gemini Dollar at over 30,000 retail locations. Some of the retailers that have partnered with the app include Starbucks, Whole Foods, Barnes & Noble, GameStop, and Office Depot.

Bitcoin acceptance is poised to explode in France early next year. A partnership between Global POS and East2PlayPayment solution resulted in the EasyWallet app. This app will allow users to spend Bitcoin at about 30 major franchises in France, totaling over 25,000 retail outlets. The makers of the app plan on adding additional cryptocurrencies in the future.

Each step, no matter how big or small, is another vital development in ensuring mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies. It will be interesting to see if other browsers will follow in the footsteps of Opera.

Images courtesy of YouTube/Opera, Shutterstock, and Pxhere.