It appears, according to reports, that Microsoft has been quietly working on a built-in, non-custodial cryptocurrency wallet for its Edge browser.
Believers in the mass adoption of crypto just got another big boost, then.
As first reported by tech news site BleepingComputer, a software researcher who goes by the Twitter handle “Albacore”, has shared screenshots that indicate tech titan Microsoft has been experimenting with an Ethereum-built crypto wallet that could allow users of its Edge browser to send and receive crypto and NFTs.
And, crucially, it looks like it would be non-custodial, too, meaning that users would have complete control of their digital assets and private crypto keys.
Not that Albacore seems like much of a crypto fan, mind. He or she writes: “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.”
A highly confidential project. Or at least it was
The Microsoft crypto wallet onboarding page shared by the developer/researcher suggests that the wallet will be embedded in Edge and won’t require any separate installation of an extension.
The screenshots also show a user interface for the wallet, as well as a decentralised application explorer, crypto news feed, the ability to buy crypto via the US exchange Coinbase and MoonPay, plus support for browsing major NFT marketplaces.
“Browse different marketplaces to find your first NFT, as you build your collection of NFTs, we’ll organize them here,” reads one of the screen-captured pages.
According to BleepingComputer, the Microsoft Edge crypto wallet is in testing phase:
“As a tester, you will use your own funds,” wrote Microsoft in its test onboarding notes. “In the event of loss of funds, Microsoft will not reimburse any loss. This is a confidential project and no details should be shared externally.”
The media outlet tested the wallet itself and notes that a Microsoft spokesman told it the following in response to a direct query:
“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.”