Blockchain
Opera Takes a Giant Leap Into Web3, Integrates Solana, Polygon, StarkEx, and Others
Opera, the company behind the world’s first native web3 browser with built-in crypto wallet, today announced adding support for several major blockchain ecosystems, including Solana, Polygon, StarkEx, Ronin, Celo, Nervos, IXO and Bitcoin.The tens of millions of active Opera users can benefit from blockchains and decentralized apps (dapps) and services within eight different blockchain ecosystems. From now on, users get access to the vast ecosystem of Polygon or Solana dApps or the benefits of Layer 2 DeFi via StarkWare-powered DiversiFi. They can also tend to their Axies by accessing Ronin.
Notably, today’s launch also extends access to PoS blockchains and Ethereum Layer-2 ecosystems: Polygon and StarkEx. By gaining entry to these blockchains, users can benefit from lower gas fees and faster transactions while minimizing their carbon footprint and still leveraging Ethereum’s robust decentralization and security.
The integration of multiple blockchains and notably Layer 2s is a key strategy in Opera’s mission to remain chain agnostic and seamlessly onboard millions of users to Web3 and to do so in an environmentally-conscious way.
“Ever since we started in the Web3 space in 2018, we’ve been sealing partnerships with the most popular and cutting edge blockchains and web3 domain name providers in order to accelerate crypto’s evolution from proof of concept towards mass adoption. Ultimately, Web3 is on its way to becoming a mainstream web technology and users won’t need to know they’re interacting with it. They need to get a superior user experience and a true benefit,” said Jorgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera.
In mid January 2022, Opera shipped the first public beta version of its new Crypto Browser Project on mobile and desktop. The Crypto Browser Project provides the ultimate, all-in-one, fully-dedicated Web3 browsing experience. Although Opera originally launched the first web browser with an integrated cryptocurrency wallet and basic Web3 support back in 2018, the Crypto Browser Project which includes a built-in dapp support, a non-custodial crypto wallet, as well as Crypto Corner, marked the beginning of a new journey towards a dedicated Web3 browsing experience with the aim of accelerating the evolution of the next generation of the Web. This is now coming to life.
Integration with Polygon is a key strategy in Opera’s mission to seamlessly onboard millions of users to Web3 and to do so in an environmentally-conscious way. Polygon’s fast, scalable, and ultra-low fee environment has made it one of the most popular Ethereum scaling solutions among users and developers alike. With Ethereum gas fees surging to unsustainable levels, the browser developer has moved quickly to integrate the project and allow a direct and efficient way for users to interact with Polygon.
By contrast, once assets are sent to Polygon’s Proof-of-Stake (PoS) chain, the carbon impact becomes virtually negligible for asset minting and transferring. Polygon consumes just 0.00079 terawatts (TWh) of electricity per annum, making it more than 90% less energy-intensive than Ethereum layer-1. For example, minting a single NFT on Polygon produces roughly the same amount of CO2 as driving 0.26 kilometers.
From metaverse platforms, such as Sandbox, Decentraland, Minecraft-compatible NFT Worlds, Cryptovoxels and Somnium Space through to the most popular gaming dApps in the Polygon ecosystem, including projects from Polygon Studios, and games such as Aavegotchi, My Crypto Heroes, Atlantis World, Decentral Games, and many others. Opera’s support for Polygon exposes users to a popular Ethereum ecosystem with over 7,000 dApps to choose from, including popular gaming apps Sandbox, Decentraland, and Aavegotchi. Opera’s integration of Polygon builds on the browser’s aim to onboard millions of users to the Web3 space in an environmentally-conscious manner.
Major web browsers began working towards including native blockchain features during the DeFi explosion of 2020. Since then, many have integrated varying levels of blockchain functionality. However, Opera’s inclusion of Solana beats out major competitors in the sector.
Solana became a top 10 cryptocurrency project by market cap moving into 2022. Its low transaction fees, high scalability, and energy-efficient consensus model have made it a viable player in the blockchain sector.
Opera’s users will now be able to access all the Solana ecosystem, including decentralized applications (dApps) currently hosted on the blockchain. These include apps ranging from decentralized exchanges (DEXs) like Solend and Raydium; NFT marketplaces, as well as music streaming apps. While Opera is working with the Solana ecosystem to integrate the Opera Wallet, users will have to connect through the Phantom wallet for now.
Along with Solana, Polygon and other blockchains, Opera is also enabling access to Ethereum’s Layer-2 ecosystem via StarkWare-powered StarkEx and decentralized exchange, DeversiFi. The integration allows users to benefit from efficient, ultra-low-cost transactions that are over 100 times quicker and more cost-effective than the Ethereum mainnet.
Additionally, Opera has announced support for the Ronin blockchain, home to the popular GameFi project, Axie Infinity — and one of the runaway successes of the decentralized gaming space. Also included in the integration are Nervos, IXO, Celo and Bitcoin.
Jorgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera, said, “The average web user may still be hesitant to dabble with Web3, but with the integration of Solana, Polygon, and others in our mobile browser, they can now access these technologies from the safety and familiarity of the browser that provides them with a dedicated Web3 experience.”
Polygon and Polygon dapps are available in the Crypto Browser Project on Android and PC, as well as Opera for Android. Solana, StarkWare/Deversifi Layer 2, IXO, Ronin, Nervos, Bitcoin and Celo are available in Opera for Android and will become available in the Crypto Browser Project in the coming months.
Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 29, 2025 (Vaulta, Fosun, Signing Day Sports, Credit Unions, Gaming Innovations)
Welcome to Blocks & Headlines, your definitive daily briefing on the latest blockchain breakthroughs, cryptocurrency developments, and Web3 innovations. In today’s edition—May 29, 2025—we explore five pivotal stories shaping the decentralized economy:
- FT Analysis: Crypto Regulation and Institutional Adoption
- Signing Day Sports Seals Deal with Blockchain Digital Infrastructure
- Vaulta & Fosun Partner to Power Hong Kong’s Blockchain Backbone
- Transforming Online Gaming: Blockchain’s Next Frontier
- Credit Unions Embrace Blockchain for Trustworthy Financial Services
This op-ed–style roundup delivers concise yet insightful coverage, critical analysis, and expert opinion on each development’s relevance within the broader blockchain and cryptocurrency ecosystem.
1. FT Analysis: Crypto Regulation and Institutional Adoption
Overview. The Financial Times reports on evolving global regulatory landscapes and their impact on institutional cryptocurrency adoption. FT highlights how major funds and asset managers navigate compliance frameworks in the US, EU, and Asia to integrate digital assets into traditional portfolios.
Source: Financial Times
Detailed Analysis. As regulators across jurisdictions craft tailored guidelines—from MiCA in Europe to the SEC’s evolving crypto classifications in the US—institutions face a balancing act between innovation and compliance:
- MiCA’s Market Integrity Measures: New EU rules mandate clear disclosures for stablecoin issuers and exchange operators, raising the bar for consumer protection.
- SEC’s Custody Interpretations: Emerging guidance on digital asset custody models, including qualified custodians versus self-custody frameworks.
- Asia’s Sandbox Approaches: Hong Kong and Singapore expand sandbox programs, offering controlled environments for DeFi and tokenization trials.
Opinion. Regulatory clarity is the linchpin for institutional inflows. While stringent frameworks may seem burdensome, they ultimately foster market confidence and prevent systemic risks. Asset managers should proactively engage with policymakers, leveraging sandbox insights to shape pragmatic, innovation-friendly regulations.
2. Signing Day Sports Seals Deal with Blockchain Digital Infrastructure
Overview. According to TradingView’s Reuters feed, Signing Day Sports has executed a definitive agreement to acquire Blockchain Digital Infrastructure, a profitable data-hosting specialist serving DeFi and NFT platforms.
Source: Reuters via TradingView
Detailed Analysis. The acquisition underscores the rising value of specialized blockchain infrastructure:
- Scalable Data Nodes: Blockchain Digital Infrastructure operates 150+ high-throughput nodes, ensuring low-latency data delivery for real-time sports NFT drops.
- Profitability Metrics: The company reported $32 million in EBITDA last fiscal year, highlighting sustainable revenue in a niche market.
- Strategic Synergies: Signing Day Sports plans to integrate hosted nodes into its upcoming sports collectibles marketplace, guaranteeing seamless token minting during high-traffic events.
Opinion. In Web3, infrastructure is the invisible backbone. For NFT marketplaces and DeFi protocols, node reliability and data throughput directly impact user experience—and ultimately, revenue. This move positions Signing Day Sports to compete at scale, setting a precedent for vertical integration in blockchain hosting.
3. Vaulta & Fosun Partner to Power Hong Kong’s Blockchain Backbone
Overview. Coindesk reports that Vaulta, a leading digital asset platform, is teaming up with Fosun International to develop blockchain infrastructure for Hong Kong’s emerging crypto hub.
Source: CoinDesk
Detailed Analysis. The collaboration aims to build secure, high-performance rails for trading, custody, and tokenization:
- Layer-1 Interoperability: Joint development of a cross-chain protocol connecting Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and local DLT frameworks.
- Institutional Custody Solutions: Licensed trust entities under Fosun’s umbrella will offer insured cold-storage services for professional investors.
- Regulatory Cooperation: Partnership includes a liaison with the Hong Kong SFC to ensure compliance with the new Virtual Assets Service Provider (VASP) regime.
Opinion. Asia remains a hotbed for blockchain innovation, but regulatory fragmentation poses hurdles. Vaulta’s alliance with Fosun exemplifies public-private synergy—combining local market expertise, financial strength, and technical know-how to anchor the city’s digital asset ambitions.
4. Transforming Online Gaming: Blockchain’s Next Frontier
Overview. TronWeekly examines how blockchain technologies—especially NFTs and decentralized marketplaces—are redefining online gaming economies.
Source: TronWeekly
Detailed Analysis. Key trends driving gaming’s blockchain revolution:
- Play-to-Earn Economies: Games like Axie Infinity and emergent titles use tokenized rewards and NFT-based assets to create real-world value for players.
- Decentralized Marketplaces: Platforms such as Enjin and Immutable X offer gas-free trading environments for in-game items, enhancing liquidity.
- Cross-Game Asset Portability: Standards like ERC-1155 enable items to move seamlessly between compatible titles, fostering interoperability.
Opinion. Gaming is blockchain’s killer app. Beyond speculative hype, tokenization can democratize game economies, allowing genuine ownership and secondary markets. Developers must, however, tackle scalability and user onboarding frictions—layer-2 solutions and intuitive wallets are essential for mass adoption.
5. Credit Unions Embrace Blockchain for Trustworthy Financial Services
Overview. AP’s business coverage highlights several US credit unions piloting blockchain-based platforms to enhance transaction transparency, reduce settlement times, and cut cross-border remittance fees.
Source: AP News
Detailed Analysis. Examples of credit union blockchain pilots:
- Consortium-Led DLT: A consortium of midwestern credit unions uses a permissioned Hyperledger Fabric network to settle inter-credit-union payments in near real-time.
- Remittance Solutions: Deployment of Stellar-based rails reduces remittance costs by up to 60%, benefiting diaspora communities.
- Member Identity Management: Verifiable credential systems streamline KYC processes, reducing onboarding time from days to hours.
Opinion. As community-focused institutions, credit unions can leverage blockchain to reassert their value proposition—offering cost-effective, transparent services that rival large banks and fintechs. Success will hinge on member education and seamless integration with legacy core banking systems.
Central Themes
Today’s dispatch reveals five core themes:
- Regulatory Engagement: From FT’s analysis to Hong Kong’s VASP regime, clear rules underpin institutional and retail growth.
- Infrastructure Control: Signing Day Sports’ acquisition and Vaulta’s Fosun partnership demonstrate the premium on reliable blockchain rails.
- Economic Innovation: Play-to-earn gaming and credit union pilots show tokenization’s real-world impact.
- Interoperability Focus: Cross-chain protocols and ERC-1155 standards drive seamless Web3 experiences.
- Market Confidence: Institutional adoption and compliance frameworks foster long-term trust.
Conclusion
In today’s Blocks & Headlines, we see blockchain’s evolution from experimental playground to enterprise-grade infrastructure: regulators clarify, institutions invest, communities adopt, and developers innovate. Whether you’re tracking regulatory shifts, infrastructure deals, gaming revolutions, or financial cooperatives, the decentralized ledger continues to reshape industries.
Join us tomorrow for Blocks & Headlines, where we continue to unpack blockchain’s latest breakthroughs—one block at a time.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 29, 2025 (Vaulta, Fosun, Signing Day Sports, Credit Unions, Gaming Innovations) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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