Opera MiniPay Expands Dramatically With USDT And Tether Gold Support, Fueling 17% Stock Surge

In a significant move for mainstream cryptocurrency adoption, browser developer Opera has dramatically expanded stablecoin support within its MiniPay wallet, now integrating both USDT and Tether Gold (XAUT) to provide millions of users with direct access to dollar and gold-based digital assets. This strategic expansion, reported by CoinDesk, represents a pivotal step in bridging traditional finance with blockchain technology, immediately reflected in Opera’s stock price surging over 17% following the announcement. The integration leverages the Celo blockchain, an EVM-compatible Layer 1 network known for its mobile-first approach and low transaction fees, positioning MiniPay as a formidable player in the competitive digital wallet space.

Opera MiniPay Integrates Major Stablecoins for Global Access

Opera’s decision to integrate Tether’s USDT and Tether Gold into its MiniPay wallet directly addresses a growing demand for stable digital currencies. Consequently, users gain exposure to assets pegged to both the US dollar and physical gold. This dual-support system offers distinct advantages. For instance, USDT provides stability against crypto market volatility, while XAUT offers a hedge against inflation and traditional currency fluctuations. The MiniPay wallet, originally launched in partnership with the Celo blockchain, now significantly broadens its utility and appeal.

Furthermore, this expansion is not merely a technical update. It is a strategic alignment with global financial trends. The move enables seamless peer-to-peer transactions and remittances across borders. Opera’s vast user base, which spans hundreds of millions globally, can now interact with these stablecoins directly from their browser’s built-in wallet. This integration eliminates the need for complex external exchanges for basic transactions. The architecture relies on Celo’s robust, carbon-neutral blockchain, ensuring transactions remain fast, affordable, and environmentally conscious.

The Technical and Strategic Backbone: Celo Partnership

The success of this expansion hinges on Opera’s foundational partnership with the Celo blockchain. Celo is specifically designed for mobile accessibility and financial inclusion. Its compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) allows developers to easily port applications. For users, this means a familiar experience with the security of a dedicated Layer 1. The collaboration focuses on regions with high mobile penetration but limited banking infrastructure. Therefore, adding USDT and XAUT directly serves this mission by providing stable stores of value and payment tools.

Market Impact and Immediate Financial Reaction

The announcement triggered an immediate and powerful market response. Opera’s stock (OPRA) surged by more than 17% in trading following the news. This investor confidence underscores the perceived value of integrating major stablecoins. Analysts view this as a validation of Opera’s Web3 strategy. The company is positioning itself at the intersection of browsing, finance, and blockchain. The stock movement reflects anticipation of increased user engagement and potential new revenue streams from wallet services.

Moreover, the expansion impacts the broader stablecoin and digital gold ecosystem. Tether Gold (XAUT), each token backed by one fine troy ounce of gold in a Swiss vault, gains a massive new distribution channel. Similarly, USDT consolidates its position as the most widely used stablecoin. This integration brings tangible, asset-backed cryptocurrencies to a non-specialist audience. The table below summarizes the key assets now supported in MiniPay and their backing:

Asset	Ticker	Backing	Primary Use Case
Tether USD	USDT	Reserves in cash & cash equivalents	Daily transactions, trading, remittances
Tether Gold	XAUT	One fine troy ounce of physical gold per token	Inflation hedge, value storage, diversification

This strategic move also pressures competitors in the browser and wallet space. Companies like Brave, with its Basic Attention Token (BAT), now face a more diversified rival. Opera’s first-mover advantage in browser-integrated, multi-asset wallets could define a new standard.

Driving Real-World Utility and Financial Inclusion

The core promise of this expansion lies in its real-world utility. MiniPay, designed initially for the African market, solves critical pain points. Users can send and receive money instantly without bank accounts. Transaction fees are minimal compared to traditional remittance services. Adding USDT and gold-backed XAUT introduces new possibilities. For example, individuals in economies with high local currency volatility can save in XAUT. Meanwhile, USDT facilitates everyday commerce and cross-border payments.

Experts highlight the importance of such integrations for global finance. “Bringing asset-backed stablecoins to mainstream browser wallets is a watershed moment,” notes a fintech analyst from a major research firm. “It reduces the friction of entry to digital assets from years to minutes. The partnership with a mobile-optimized chain like Celo is particularly astute, targeting the next billion users where they are—on their phones.” This analysis points to a future where financial services are as accessible as an internet connection.

The development follows a clear timeline of Opera’s commitment:

2021: Opera begins deep integration of Web3 and wallet features into its browser.
2023: MiniPay launches in partnership with Celo, focusing on Africa.
2024: User base grows into the millions, proving the model.
2025: Expansion announced with USDT and Tether Gold support, signaling a global scale-up.

Addressing Security and Regulatory Considerations

With greater capability comes increased responsibility. Opera and its partners emphasize the security measures in place. The MiniPay wallet is non-custodial, meaning users control their private keys. Assets are held on the blockchain, not by Opera. The Celo network uses a proof-of-stake consensus, which is more energy-efficient than proof-of-work. Regarding regulation, Tether regularly publishes attestations for USDT and detailed reports on the gold reserves for XAUT. This transparency is crucial for institutional and retail trust as the platform grows.

Conclusion

Opera’s expansion of USDT and Tether Gold support within its MiniPay wallet marks a definitive leap toward mainstream, utility-driven cryptocurrency adoption. By leveraging its massive browser user base and the efficient Celo blockchain, Opera is democratizing access to stable digital dollars and gold. The immediate 17% stock surge reflects strong market validation of this strategy. Ultimately, this move enhances financial inclusion, provides new tools for wealth preservation, and solidifies Opera’s position as a pioneer at the convergence of web browsing and decentralized finance. The success of the Opera MiniPay expansion will likely inspire further innovation across the entire browser and fintech ecosystem.

FAQs

Q1: What exactly did Opera announce for its MiniPay wallet?
Opera announced the expansion of support within its MiniPay wallet to include two major stablecoins: Tether (USDT), pegged to the US dollar, and Tether Gold (XAUT), pegged to physical gold. This allows millions of users to store, send, and receive these assets directly within the browser.

Q2: Why did Opera’s stock price surge after the announcement?
Opera’s stock surged over 17% because investors viewed the integration of major, widely-used stablecoins as a strategic move that increases the utility and potential adoption of the MiniPay wallet. It validates Opera’s Web3 strategy and opens new avenues for user engagement and revenue.

Q3: What blockchain does the Opera MiniPay wallet use?
MiniPay is built on and operates using the Celo blockchain. Celo is an EVM-compatible, mobile-first, proof-of-stake Layer 1 blockchain designed for fast, low-cost transactions, making it ideal for financial applications and global reach.

Q4: What are the main benefits of adding Tether Gold (XAUT) support?
Adding Tether Gold (XAUT) provides users with a digital asset backed by physical gold held in reserve. This offers a potential hedge against inflation and traditional market volatility, allowing for value storage in a globally recognized commodity within a digital wallet.

Q5: Is the Opera MiniPay wallet safe to use for storing USDT and XAUT?
The MiniPay wallet is a non-custodial wallet, meaning users have sole control of their private keys and funds. The security of the assets depends on the underlying Celo blockchain’s security and the user’s own practices for safeguarding their private recovery phrase.

Opera MiniPay Expands Dramatically with USDT and Tether Gold Support, Fueling 17% Stock Surge