The Opera browser team has announced the upcoming discontinuation of its built-in Crypto Wallet within Opera One and Opera GX desktop browsers. If you're currently using this wallet to store digital assets, it's crucial to understand the timeline and take action before access is permanently lost.
Starting July 15, 2025, users will no longer be able to add new assets to the Opera Crypto Wallet. Then, by January 1, 2026, the wallet will be fully removed from the browser. After this date, any remaining assets in the wallet will become inaccessible unless they’ve been migrated.
This change stems from Opera’s strategic shift toward MiniPay — a non-custodial stablecoin wallet built on the Celo blockchain that enables fast, phone-number-based transactions. However, it's important to note that MiniPay is not a replacement for the current crypto wallet. While MiniPay supports US dollar-pegged stablecoins, it does not support general cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Therefore, users must proactively migrate their assets to another compatible non-custodial crypto wallet.
Why You Need to Act Now
Your digital assets — including tokens, NFTs, and coins — exist on the blockchain. What the Opera Crypto Wallet provides is access to those assets through private keys, which are secured by your secret recovery phrase (also known as a seed phrase). As long as you have this 12-word phrase, you can import your wallet into other supported platforms.
However, once the Opera Crypto Wallet is decommissioned, you’ll lose access to this recovery phrase through the browser interface. That means if you haven’t backed it up or transferred your funds by January 1, 2026, your assets could be permanently locked.
👉 Secure your crypto assets now with a trusted migration path
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Retrieve Your Secret Recovery Phrase
To begin migrating your assets, you must first retrieve your secret recovery phrase from the Opera Crypto Wallet. Follow these steps carefully:
- Locate the Crypto Wallet in Your Sidebar
Open your Opera desktop browser and look for the Crypto Wallet icon in the sidebar. If it’s not visible, click the three dots at the bottom of the sidebar and enable Crypto Wallet. - Open and Access Your Wallet
Click on the Crypto Wallet to open it. Wait for it to fully load — you may see a loading spinner briefly. If prompted, sign in using your wallet password. - Check for Migration Prompt
If you see a banner stating “Opera Wallet is retiring,” click the Migrate assets now button. This shortcut will guide you directly to your recovery phrase. Manually Access Backup Phrase (If No Banner)
If no retirement message appears:- Click the Settings (gear) icon.
- Select Backup phrase.
- Enter your wallet password when prompted.
- Your 12-word secret recovery phrase will appear.
- Record Your Phrase Securely
Write down all 12 words in the correct order. Never store them digitally — avoid screenshots, notes apps, or cloud storage. Keep the phrase offline and safe.
🔒 Critical Reminder: Do not use the “Forgot password?” option if you’ve lost your password — it requires your 12-word backup phrase to reset. Without either, recovery may be impossible.
Recover via Opera Account (Optional)
If you previously linked your wallet to an Opera Account:- Select I already have a wallet > Use Opera Account.
- Sign in to restore access.
- Return to Settings and retrieve your recovery phrase as above.
How to Transfer Assets to a New Wallet
Once you have your secret recovery phrase, you can import your wallet into any compatible non-custodial wallet. Here’s how to do it with a popular choice like MetaMask:
- Visit metamask.io using your Opera browser.
- Install the MetaMask extension.
- During setup, choose Import an existing wallet.
- Enter your 12-word recovery phrase.
- Create a new password for MetaMask.
- Confirm the import — your balances should now appear.
You can now manage your assets securely in MetaMask or another trusted wallet.
👉 Explore secure wallet options and protect your digital future today
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
✅ What happens if I don’t migrate before January 1, 2026?
After January 1, 2026, the Opera Crypto Wallet will be completely removed from the browser. Any assets still stored in it will no longer be accessible, and there will be no way to recover them without prior backup of the recovery phrase.
✅ Can I use any crypto wallet for migration?
Yes — you can migrate to any non-custodial crypto wallet that supports seed phrase import. Recommended options include MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or hardware wallets like Ledger and Trezor for enhanced security.
✅ Is MiniPay a replacement for the Opera Crypto Wallet?
No. MiniPay is designed specifically for stablecoin transactions (like cUSD) using phone numbers and is not a full-featured crypto wallet. It cannot hold or manage assets like ETH, BTC, or NFTs.
✅ Does this affect Opera Points or Cashback users?
No. The discontinuation only affects the Crypto Wallet feature. Users of Opera Points and Cashback programs will continue to earn and redeem rewards as usual. Note: Cashback payouts cannot be viewed in external crypto wallets.
✅ What if I never activated the Crypto Wallet?
If you never activated the feature, nothing further is needed. The wallet will simply be removed from your interface. This change only impacts active users who stored assets in the wallet.
✅ How do I know if I have assets in my Opera Crypto Wallet?
If you’re unsure:
- Open the Crypto Wallet in your browser.
- Check if there are any visible balances under tokens, coins, or NFTs.
- Even small or old testnet tokens should be migrated — they may have value or utility elsewhere.
Final Steps: Secure Your Digital Ownership
Migrating your wallet isn’t just about transferring tokens — it’s about maintaining control over your digital identity and assets in a decentralized ecosystem. With Opera shifting focus, now is the time to take full ownership of your crypto journey.
Ensure that:
- You’ve written down and safely stored your 12-word recovery phrase.
- You’ve successfully imported it into a new wallet.
- You’ve verified that all balances (including NFTs) are visible and accessible.
- You uninstall or disable the old wallet only after confirming everything works.
👉 Stay ahead of changes and manage your crypto with confidence
By acting before January 1, 2026, you preserve full access to your digital assets and future-proof your participation in Web3. Don’t wait until it’s too late — secure your crypto today.