The NFT platform said the wallet will be powered by Privy’s technology and fully integrated into its ecosystem for easy interactions.
OpenSea, a prominent non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace within the Ethereum ecosystem, has unveiled new functionality that allows users to create their Web3 wallets simply by using their email address.
Through this feature, users get the ability to buy, sell, add, send and receive NFTs and other digital assets by logging into OpenSea directly using just their email address to create a self-custodial wallet for interacting with the platform .
The move aims to streamline the onboarding process for newcomers who want to explore the Web3 space without setting up third-party wallets like MetaMask and Trust Wallet.
OpenSea Partners Privy for new wallet extension
According to an announcement on January 9, 2024, the wallet is designed to perform all fundamental activities in the chain, just like MetaMask and Trust Wallet. Users can manage funds and track transactions on the blockchain seamlessly without having to rely on third-party wallet extensions.
OpenSea said it was partnering with Privy, a New York-based company that provides developers with the infrastructures and tools needed to transform the way users connect to their favorite products, for its new wallet venture.
The NFT platform said the wallet will be powered by Privy’s technology and fully integrated into its ecosystem for easy interactions.
Privy described this move in a separate blog post as an important step in opening Web3 to mainstream adoption and making OpenSea more accessible to everyone.
“Today we are excited to announce that Privy will be working with OpenSea to support onboarding for the OpenSea marketplace! As the world’s largest NFT marketplace, OpenSea’s initiative to bring new users into the wallet experience is an important step in opening up web3 to the mainstream,” the company said.
Wallet support for Solana and other blockchains
OpenSea’s new wallet is not limited to Ethereum. The NFT marketplace said the wallet feature is compatible with all nine protocols supported by the platform. These networks include Solana, Polygon, Klaytn, Arbitrum, Optimism, Avalanche, BNB Smart Chain, Zora, and Coinbase’s Base.
Additionally, the wallet supports credit and debit card purchases, allowing users to purchase NFTs, digital collectibles, and cryptocurrencies directly through OpenSea.
“It’s now easier than ever to collect or create NFTs using OpenSea. You can create a wallet with just an email address and easily buy, sell and transfer them with support for credit and debit card purchases,” said OpenSea.
Looking ahead, OpenSea plans to improve its self-custodial wallet by adding features such as streamlined payment flows and expanded wallet functionality. These developments aim to further improve the onboarding experience for newcomers to the Web3 space.
Meanwhile, in its continued efforts to strengthen its position in the crypto industry, OpenSea introduced a new feature called Deals in June last year. This feature, powered by a third-party protocol called Seaport, allows NFT traders to exchange their collections directly within the platform.
However, to take advantage of Deals’ peer-to-peer (P2P) functionality, users will need a wallet address, an ENS name, or an OpenSea username.