Microsoft appears to be testing a built-in cryptocurrency wallet for Edge, according to screenshots from a beta version of the browser. The feature, which screenshots say is for internal testing, has been detected Twitter user @thebookisclosedwhich has a history of searching for existing but broken features in everything from New Windows 11 builds to The old trial version of Windows Vista.
This is just one of the many money and shopping-related features that Microsoft has installed on Edge since it was reborn as a Chromium-based browser a few years ago. In late 2021, the company faced backlash afterward Adding the short-term financing feature “Buy now, pay later” to the edge. As an Edge user, the first thing I do on a fresh Windows installation is disable the infinite coupon code, price comparison, and cashback popups generated by Shopping in Microsoft Edge (Many settings are automatically synced between Edge browsers when you sign in with a Microsoft account; the default search engine and all these shopping add-ons must be changed manually each time.)
According to the screenshots, the cryptocurrency wallet is “built into Edge, making it easy to use without installing any extensions,” and can handle multiple types of cryptocurrencies. It will also record transactions and the value of your individual coins as they fluctuate. The Explore tab offers news stories related to cryptocurrency, and the Assets tab will let you stare lovingly at your NFTs. The wallet is “unleashed” (also called “self-guard”), which means that you have sole responsibility for the passwords and recovery keys that allow access to your funds. Microsoft will not be able to let you back in if you lose your credentials.
Whether you find these types of add-ons useful, annoying, or predatory is a matter of perspective. Given the prevalence of cryptocurrency scams, there could be some value in having a “trustworthy” built-in option that doesn’t require rogue third-party extensions to be installed. But this feature can encourage casually interested users to start exploring the world of cryptocurrency, which, again, is riddled with scams.
It’s also another example of Microsoft building a non-browsing feature strictly into its web browser. Many of these features Can It is disabled, and competing browsers such as Chrome and Firefox are trying to add value and make money with access to new specialized features and third-party services. But Microsoft’s moves could still have a significant impact that deserves further scrutiny — Edge is an installed by default, non-removable component of every Windows 10 and Windows 11 PC, and the operating system prompts you to switch to Edge with some regularity. And once you’re in Edge, the browser prompts you to use Bing and other Microsoft services.
Microsoft may not ship the encrypted wallet to Edge users — the company regularly tests features in Edge, Windows, and its other software that don’t end up in public release versions. We’ve contacted Microsoft for more information and will update if we hear back.
Listing image by @thebookisclosed / Twitter
