Microsoft reportedly testing Edge browser web3 wallet integration

Microsoft is reportedly working on integrating a friendly non-fungible (NFT) and crypto token web3 wallet in your 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

โ€œThe 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,โ€ Albacore noted pessimistically.

The first screenshot is of an introduction page to the Edge wallet, with Microsoft apparently noting that: "we encourage you to try our first Web3 wallet and provide candid feedback along the journey."

If found 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 Coinbase cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 infrastructure company MoonPay is listed as "integrated platforms that help you buy and deposit crypto 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 of artificial intelligence (AI) search engines and chat via OpenAI's ChatGPT as part of new updates to its Bing and Edge browsers.