Microsoft is reportedly working on integrating a cryptocurrency and non-fungible token (NFT) compatible Web3 wallet into its Edge web browser.
In a March 17 Twitter thread, a software documenter, and the occasional leak, Albacore shared a series of purported Edge UI screenshots showing the early stages of the new Web3 wallet. of the company
“The newest in the bunch of questionable upcoming features from Microsoft Edge, a crypto wallet not really sure how to feel about this kind of thing being integrated into the default browser,” Albacore noted pessimistically.
The newest in Microsoft Edge’s bunch of questionable features, a crypto wallet
I’m not quite sure how you feel about this sort of thing being integrated into the default browser, what do you think?
More UI screenshots in the next tweet ➡️ pic.twitter.com/GAUPiZGLIY— Albacore (@thebookisclosed) March 17, 2023
The first screenshot is from an introduction page to the Edge wallet, in which Microsoft apparently notes that: “we encourage you to try our first Web3 wallet and provide candid feedback along the journey.”
If determined to be true, it appears the wallet will be non-custodial and Microsoft will not have access to passwords and recovery keys, while also being “embedded in Edge” rather than an installed browser extension.
The attached screenshots show the ability to trade, send, and buy crypto assets, with cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase and infrastructure company Web3 MoonPay being “integrated platforms that help you buy and deposit cryptocurrency into your wallet.”
In NFT terms, the UI simply states: “browse different markets to find your first NFT, as you build your NFT collection, we’ll organize them here.”
Microsoft’s potential move marks another recent effort to significantly increase Edge’s offerings and capabilities, which has generally delayed behind competitors like Google’s Chrome and Apple’s Safari in terms of popularity.
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On February 7, Microsoft announced the integration from search engines powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and chat via OpenAI’s ChatGPT as part of new updates to its Bing and Edge browsers.
