Opera's MiniPay Integrates Binance Connect for Faster Fiat-to-Crypto Transactions

Opera’s MiniPay Wallet has announced a significant integration with Binance Connect, the official fiat-to-crypto gateway provided by the crypto exchange Binance. This integration aims to facilitate fiat on-ramps, expand payment options for users globally, and enhance accessibility to digital assets. opera highlights that converting local currency into digital assets quickly, securely, and affordably is a major hurdle in Web3 adoption, and this partnership is designed to address this challenge by lowering the barriers to entry.

The integration marks a pivotal step in MiniPay’s evolution from a lightweight wallet to a practical tool for savings, peer-to-peer transfers, cross-border payments, and everyday commerce. This development is part of a broader joint goal shared by Opera, celo, and Binance to enhance the real-world utility of stablecoins. Binance Connect is now live within MiniPay, accessible through the Opera Mini browser and a standalone Android app, allowing users to add cash and start making transactions immediately.

Jørgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera, emphasized the significance of this integration, stating that it is a key milestone in their ongoing collaboration with Binance. He noted that with Binance’s global reach and deep liquidity, the stablecoin experience is brought one step closer to everyday usage. The MiniPay team has recorded over 7 million activated wallets across 50 countries, and these users can now fund their wallets using various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, P2P trading, and Binance Account Balance.

The integration provides fast and low-cost access to stablecoins like USDT and USDC in regions such as Africa, Latin America, and Asia. MiniPay’s native ecosystem features popular Mini Apps for various use cases, including local utility bill payments, donations, and music streaming. Isha Varshney, Celo Foundation’s Head of Ecosystem, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting that MiniPay has served as a powerful onboarding tool and that Binance’s global user base and industry leadership will enable everyday users worldwide to access the benefits of an open on-chain economy.

Thomas Gregory, Vice President of Fiat at Binance, echoed this sentiment, stating that MiniPay and Binance share a vision for inclusive financial tools that work at a global scale. He argued that the ability to move from fiat to stablecoins in seconds is the kind of practical infrastructure needed to onboard the next billion users into the Web3 ecosystem. MiniPay, built on the mobile-first blockchain Celo, benefits from the chain’s sub-second finality and low fees, featuring a self-custodial design, gas abstraction, and phone-number-based wallet UX to make transacting as simple as texting. The Android app is currently available, with an iOS version coming soon.