Prototype crypto wallet found in Microsoft Edge browser

A software researcher using the alias Albacore discovered an integrated non-custodial wallet in the Microsoft Edge browser. The app is not yet available to users.

Newest in the gauntlet of questionable upcoming Microsoft Edge features, a crypto wallet ?
Not really sure how to feel about this kind of thing being baked into the default browser, what are your thoughts?
More screenshots of the UI in the next tweet ➡️ pic.twitter.com/GAUPiZGLIY

— Albacore (@thebookisclosed) March 17, 2023

‘A novelty in the lineup of questionable Microsoft Edge features — a crypto wallet. Not sure how to feel about such things being baked into the browser by default,’ the expert noted.

The screenshots he published show the user interface, the decentralised applications browser, a news feed, and an option to purchase digital assets via Coinbase and MoonPay.

In a comment for Decrypt, the researcher noted that browser developers are continually testing many options that do not necessarily come to fruition. However, the wallet is fully functional, except for user access, he added.

‘Given that I was able to use it normally, I think deployment is not out of the question. I hope that, for a tiny trial period, they would not bother integrating services into a live environment,’ emphasised Albacore.

According to Statista, Edge’s market share was 11% as of December 2022.

According to Albacore, the Edge team is trying to gauge how the new option might help compete with Opera and Brave. The latter are actively expanding cryptocurrency-related features.

In addition to developing their own blockchain projects, Microsoft is pursuing partnerships with representatives of Web3-industry, investing in projects.