Good day everyone,
I hope you are all well and are having an excellent day welcome to CryptoGod-1’s blog on all things crypto. Today I will be looking at the recent news that Microsoft might be incorporating crypto features, including a wallet, into their web based browser Microsoft EDGE.
Microsoft created the Chromium-based browser Microsoft EDGE in 2015 as part of Windows 10. They marketed it as a sleek and fast alternative to Google Chrome, although its popularity never really took off (think of Internet Explorer but bogged down with unnecessary features over the years). However, recent reports have stated they may be about to add another feature, one which could certainly appeal to the crypto space. A crypto wallet has been shown by Twitter user Albacore (@thebookisclosed), a user with a history of documenting in-development features in Windows and Microsoft apps before they are announced. He shared screenshots in a tweet, as shown below, where it showcases a crypto wallet being incorporated into the browser.
Within the Tweet there are screenshots demonstrating the features, which will include having “integrated security to protect users from unsecure addresses or apps” along with having “simplified experiences that make Web3 easier to interact with.”
Microsoft EDGE will also walk users through setting up secures passwords for their crypto wallets, allowing them to send and receive cryptocurrency. While it is still unclear which cryptocurrencies will be supported, both Coinbase and MoonPay are listed as options for depositing crypto meaning that the likes of Ethereum and DAI will be usable, as shown in the screenshots.
According to a spokesperson from Microsoft, they told How-To Geek:
“At Microsoft, we regularly test new features to explore new experiences for our customers. We look forward to learning and collecting feedback from customers but have nothing further to share at this time.”
This is not the first time Microsoft have added financial features to their EDGE browser, having added a "buy now-pay later" feature back in 2021. However, this received plenty of backlash from users, as they are swamped by endless coupon code, price comparison, and cash-back pop-ups generated by 'Shopping in Microsoft EDGE.'
Whether users will find the addition of a built in crypto wallet as useful, annoying, or predatory, will all depend on their own personal views and use of the browser, and of crypto in general. The benefits will be that users can sign in without the need to install an app from a third party, although users will need to beware of the fact the wallet will be "non-custodial" (also called "self-custodial"). This means that while the wallet will record transactions and the value of your individual currencies as they fluctuate, it also means that users will have sole ownership of and responsibility for the passwords and recovery keys / seed phrases. Microsoft will not be in a position to let users back in if they lose their credentials.
All in all, the biggest benefit will be the fact it will open up the crypto space to more users and make it easier for users to begin exploring the world of cryptocurrency. Whether it ever comes out to the wider public or not will depend on Microsoft, as they regularly test features in EDGE, Windows, and its other software that never make it into the general-release versions. Below is a screenshot of what the wallet could look like.
Have a great day.
Peace. CryptoGod-1.
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