The makers of Brave browser and cryptocurrency exchange platform Binance have announced a partnership to enable seamless trading of cryptocurrencies into the browser itself. This collaboration makes Brave the first and only browser to offer integrated cryptocurrency purchasing and trading to its users.

On March 24, Binance announced the integration of a widget in the Brave browser that will allow Brave users to trade Binance-supported cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin directly in the browser.

The built-in Binance widget will allow access to Binance.com and Binance.us, enabling users to:

buy or sell cryptocurrencies

deposit assets

view balance summaries and deposit addresses

We’re thrilled to partner with @binance to bring cryptocurrency trading directly into the browser. The new Binance widget makes Brave the only browser that offers integrated functionality for buying/trading cryptocurrency (in Nightly version today).https://t.co/mGqUfyZx6Y — Brave Software (@brave) March 24, 2020

Brave to enable seamless and simple crypto trading

According to Brendan Eich, CEO and co-founder of Brave, the integration of the Binance widget makes cryptocurrency trading “seamless and simple.” He added:

“Cryptocurrency trading can be a daunting task for users not familiar with such assets, so integrating Binance into the Brave browser makes the process seamless and simple […] By bringing a leading exchange like Binance directly into the browser, Brave is taking cryptocurrency trading mainstream and enabling users to conduct transactions with ease.”

Brave’s blockchain-based privacy features not only makes it safer to trade crypto but also reduces user friction during onboarding, trading, or interacting with Binance’s ecosystem, said Binance’s CEO Changpeng Zhao “CZ.”

Binance’s CZ: ‘Privacy, no ads, just #crypto’

To further the message of stringent user privacy through their partnership with Brave, CZ said in a tweet: “Privacy, no ads, just #crypto.”

According to the official blog, to maintain the user’s privacy, the Binance widget will be built into the browser and not in a remotely embedded document (loaded iFrame).

They added: “API calls will only be made into Binance if the user authenticates via OAuth and interacts with the widget.”

Recently, Brave has also been working on a new feature that enhances user privacy by generating random browser fingerprints.

Mixed reactions from the Brave community

Despite Brave’s efforts to ensure user privacy, the Brave community seems divided in their reactions. Some users deem the move “risky” and defeat the very purpose of anonymity.

Means now you will also get an insight to our data for buying & selling crypto?? Anyways, When are we getting the option to withdraw our holdings?? #Uphold is not working for me since ages. I wish if this partnership could have allowed us to withdraw BAT?? — Crypto Warriors ???? (@DCryptoWarriors) March 24, 2020

Some also raised concerns about their Brave Rewards, Basic Attention Token (BAT), whether the partnership will affect the current system. A Brave developer responded that the new feature is a “parallel offering” and that users have the option to send BAT earnings to a Binance address.

This does not replace Uphold; this is a parallel offering for users who would like to buy, sell, and/or trade on Binance. BAT earned from Brave Ads is still deposited into your Uphold wallet, where it can be sent out (if verified) to a Binance address if you like. — Sampson (@BraveSampson) March 24, 2020

With all the backlash that Brave is receiving following the announcement, the same developer emphasized that the new Binance widget is optional and can be turned off from the browser.

Hello, Tate! I’m sorry this news gives you concern. No users are expected to use this optional feature if they don’t want to. You can easily hide the wide with 2 clicks from the New Tab Page too. pic.twitter.com/1zght9Mpzd — Sampson (@BraveSampson) March 24, 2020

A beta version of the Binance widget is enabled by default in the desktop version of Brave Nightly, the testing and development hub for Brave. It is set to be officially launched on the main Brave browser in April 2020.

Featured image courtesy of Flickr / Caribb