Opera Shares Soar 15% as Crypto Wallet Expands Tether Support, Targeting Emerging Markets
Shares of browser developer Opera (NASDAQ: OPRA) jumped more than 15% in early trading Tuesday, fueled by the company's strategic move to deepen its embrace of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. The rally reversed a recent slide that had brought shares to a low near $12.40, pushing them to approximately $14.65.
The catalyst was Opera's announcement that its self-custodial wallet, MiniPay, is significantly expanding support for Tether tokens. Users will now have integrated access to Tether's USDT, the world's largest dollar-pegged stablecoin, and Tether Gold (XAUT), a digital asset backed by physical gold. This development is positioned to offer millions of users in Africa, Latin America, and other emerging markets easier entry into dollar- and gold-backed digital assets without requiring deep technical knowledge of blockchain mechanics.
"This isn't just about adding another token; it's about bridging economic realities," said a company spokesperson. "For users in regions facing currency volatility, access to stable-value digital dollars and a gold hedge directly within a familiar browser wallet is a powerful tool for financial resilience."
MiniPay, which Opera reports has 12.6 million activated wallets and over 3.64 million on-chain users, is already a significant conduit for crypto transactions. In December alone, it facilitated more than $153 million in stablecoin transfers. The wallet itself does not provide financial services but acts as a gateway, connecting users to third-party on-ramp and off-ramp providers like Binance, Partna, and Fonbank to convert between fiat and crypto.
This expansion builds on Opera's ongoing strategy to localize Web3 finance. Last year, MiniPay introduced a "Pay like a local" feature, enabling payments via Argentina's Mercado Pago and Brazil's Pix system. The feature has since grown to include instant SEPA payments in Europe and instant bank transfers in Nigeria.
The partnership also highlights the growing influence of Tether, which recently reported staggering profits exceeding $10 billion for 2025, bolstered by interest from its substantial U.S. Treasury reserves and its aggressive monthly gold purchases. Opera's integration signals a vote of confidence in Tether's ecosystem as a cornerstone for practical crypto adoption.
User Reactions:
"As a small business owner in Lagos, this is a game-changer. Moving money across borders with USDT through MiniPay is faster and cheaper than traditional methods. Opera gets the on-the-ground needs." – Adebayo Chike, Merchant
"Finally, a major tech player making crypto actually usable for everyday people, not just traders. The local payment integrations show they've done their homework. This could drive real adoption." – Priya Sharma, Fintech Analyst
"Are we seriously celebrating deeper integration with Tether? A company with a history of regulatory scrutiny and opaque reserves? Opera is gambling its reputation on a controversial partner for short-term stock pops. This isn't innovation; it's risk contagion." – Marcus Thorne, Financial Compliance Consultant
"The stock movement is interesting, but the real story is the user metrics. 12.6 million wallets and $153M in monthly volume? That's a substantial, engaged user base that traditional finance and crypto natives are overlooking at their peril." – David Chen, Venture Capitalist