Opera and the Celo Foundation are extending their partnership to enhance MiniPay’s stablecoin payments, aiming for financial inclusion for a billion people by 2030. This includes stablecoin-backed cards, real-world asset expansions, and a global roadshow, amid surging stablecoin adoption in emerging markets.
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MiniPay reaches 11 million wallets and 300 million transactions since 2023, boosting Celo’s daily active users to 700,000.
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Integration with Mercado Pago and PIX enables instant stablecoin-to-fiat conversions in Latin America.
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Latin America’s crypto volume hits $1.5 trillion, with Brazil leading at $318.8 billion and over 90% stablecoin flows.
Opera Celo partnership extends to global stablecoin payments via MiniPay, targeting 1B users by 2030. Discover new cards, RWA features, and roadshow plans amid $310B market growth. Stay ahead in crypto finance today.
What is the Opera Celo partnership extension all about?
Opera Celo partnership extension focuses on accelerating financial inclusion through MiniPay, a non-custodial stablecoin wallet on the Celo blockchain. Announced at Binance Blockchain Week, it introduces stablecoin-backed payment cards, broader real-world asset offerings, and a Mini App Roadshow in Asia and South America starting early 2026. The initiative aims to make low-cost stablecoin payments accessible worldwide, supporting a goal of reaching one billion people by 2030.
How does MiniPay integrate with real-world payment systems?
MiniPay, launched in September 2023, has activated 11 million wallets and processed over 300 million transactions, propelling Celo to the forefront of Ethereum layer-2 solutions with 700,000 daily active users and more than 3 million weekly USDT users. Recent integrations with Mercado Pago, the digital payments arm of Latin American e-commerce giant Mercado Libre, and Brazil’s PIX instant payment system allow seamless stablecoin-to-fiat conversions in Argentina and Brazil. This pilot program reduces off-ramping barriers by enabling real-time merchant payments, with plans to roll out globally. According to an Opera statement, these features create a reliable wallet for receiving, saving, and sending payments anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What new features does the Opera Celo partnership bring to MiniPay?
The extension introduces stablecoin-backed payment cards for everyday use, expanded real-world asset (RWA) offerings to bridge crypto with traditional finance, and a joint roadshow to foster developer activity in high-growth regions. These enhancements build on MiniPay’s existing infrastructure to lower costs and increase accessibility for stablecoin transactions worldwide.
How is the Opera Celo partnership impacting stablecoin adoption in Latin America?
The partnership supports instant conversions via local systems like PIX and Mercado Pago, driving stablecoin use in Brazil and Argentina where over 90% of crypto activity involves stablecoins. With Latin America’s $1.5 trillion crypto volume from July 2022 to June 2025, per Chainalysis data, this initiative aligns with Brazil’s 109.9% growth to $318.8 billion, making digital payments more inclusive for unbanked populations.
Key Takeaways
- Global Expansion Focus: The Mini App Roadshow in Asia and South America targets emerging markets with high crypto adoption, promoting MiniPay’s stablecoin tools to developers and users.
- Market Growth Insights: The stablecoin sector exceeds $310 billion in valuation, according to CoinGecko, though prediction market Myriad users anticipate it staying below $360 billion until February 2026, highlighting steady but measured expansion.
- Inclusion Milestone: By integrating payment cards and real-time systems, the partnership advances the 2030 goal of one billion financially included individuals through ubiquitous low-cost stablecoins.
Conclusion
The Opera Celo partnership extension marks a pivotal step in embedding stablecoin payments into daily life via MiniPay, from real-world asset integrations to seamless fiat bridges in key regions like Latin America. As stablecoin volumes surge and Celo’s user base grows, this collaboration underscores the blockchain’s role in financial inclusion. Financial professionals and users alike should monitor these developments for opportunities in the evolving crypto ecosystem, positioning themselves for broader adoption by 2030.
Opera Executive Vice President of Mobile Jørgen Arnesen emphasized the vision: “Their goal is to give people a reliable stablecoin wallet that allows them to receive payments, save, and send payments—no matter where they are.” This partnership, detailed in Opera’s Wednesday statement, leverages Celo’s efficient layer-2 capabilities to address barriers in underserved markets.
Since its inception, MiniPay has demonstrated robust growth, outpacing many competitors in transaction volume and user engagement. The addition of support for major regional payment networks not only enhances usability but also complies with local financial regulations, fostering trust among new users. In Brazil, where stablecoin purchases dominate over half of exchange activity across major countries like Argentina and Colombia, this move could accelerate mainstream integration.
The broader stablecoin landscape provides context for this expansion. Valued at more than $310 billion globally, stablecoins offer stability in volatile markets, attracting institutional and retail interest alike. Yet, sentiments on platforms like Myriad suggest tempered expectations for rapid capitalization surges, emphasizing sustainable growth over hype.
Looking ahead, the early 2026 roadshow will engage developers in Asia and South America, regions ripe for innovation due to increasing smartphone penetration and remittance needs. By prioritizing non-custodial security and low fees, Opera and Celo aim to democratize access to digital assets, potentially reshaping global remittances and e-commerce.
This development aligns with industry trends toward interoperability and real-world utility. As reported by sources like COINOTAG, the focus on financial inclusion resonates with broader blockchain goals, drawing from Celo’s community-driven ethos to scale impact.
