Microsoft teases Web3 wallet integration
Microsoft has been working on infusing a Web3 wallet into its Edge browser. According to rumors, the company is leaning towards crypto and NFT, with a full debut expected before the end of the year. In a Twitter thread on March 17, a user identified as Albacore broke the news of the update.
The update will appeal to the crypto communities
The Twitter user shared the latest Microsoft update while noting that it is one of the few questionable updates by the company. Although his thread was generally less than enthusiastic at the new update, the update could be a welcome development for the crypto community. Albacore shared images that showed the interface of the embedded Web3-supported wallet in the browser. The first screenshot showed a message where Microsoft urged users to test the feature.
The company noted that it wants users to test the Web3-compliant wallet and give honest feedback as they look to continue with the development. If this screenshot is anything to go by, the company will roll out the non-custodial wallet in the future. This means that Microsoft will not be able to hold onto the keys and passwords of its users. It also means the wallet would be in the browser instead of an installable extension.
Microsoft plans to seduce more users with its new update
The other pictures in the thread show that users would use the browser to purchase and sell digital assets. The screenshot also teased a partnership with Coinbase and another party as the in-built websites where users can carry out all their crypto-related activities. Regarding NFTs, the prompt on the browser clarified that users would have access to different platforms to purchase digital arts, which will be arranged and organized by the browser.
This latest update by Microsoft is to ensure that it appeals to more than its current crop of users as it looks to leapfrog other browsers such as Chrome and Safari. In context, Chrome ranks as the highest-used browser, with more than 60% of the market share, while Safari takes second place with just 18.7%. In comparism, Edge ranks third with just a little above 4% in shares. Microsoft announced in February that users can now access ChatGPT through its Edge and Bing browsers.