Opera's stablecoin wallet MiniPay has reached a significant milestone, crossing 15 million activated wallets across seven African markets. This represents a remarkable 123% year-on-year jump that positions the app as one of the most successful crypto payment products in emerging markets.
Notably, how rapidly MiniPay has scaled since its humble beginnings. The app crossed 13 million wallets by the end of 2025, meaning it added 2 million new users in just the first quarter of 2026 alone.
From Browser Feature to Standalone Success
MiniPay's journey began in Nigeria in September 2023, initially integrated within the Opera Mini browser. The decision to spin it off as a standalone app last year proved brilliant, allowing the platform to expand its reach significantly.
Murray Spark, Senior Director Business Development at Opera, outlined the expansion strategy to TechCabal. "MiniPay launched first in Nigeria in 2023 and expanded first across Kenya and other key African markets before going global in 2025," he explained in an email response on Tuesday.
"MiniPay launched first in Nigeria in 2023 and expanded first across Kenya and other key African markets before going global in 2025." - Murray Spark, Senior Director Business Development at Opera
Africa: The Global Crypto Testing Ground
This growth story reflects a broader trend across the continent. Africa has emerged as one of the world's most active testing grounds for crypto payments and dollar savings products, driven by practical economic realities.
Countries with volatile currencies and expensive banking infrastructure create perfect conditions for digital dollar adoption. I have observed this pattern repeatedly across our technology coverage - African users embrace solutions that solve real problems.
The Competitive Landscape
MiniPay is not alone in this space. Apps like Bitget Wallet and UglyCash are also betting on African users embracing stablecoin payments for daily transactions. The competition is heating up as more players recognize the opportunity.
However, MiniPay's integration with Opera's browser ecosystem gives it a unique advantage. The company can tap into its existing user base across Africa, where Opera Mini remains popular due to its data-saving features.
Looking Forward
The timing of this milestone is particularly interesting given the broader crypto market dynamics. While global crypto adoption faces regulatory headwinds in many developed markets, African users continue driving organic growth through practical use cases.
MiniPay's 15 million wallet milestone represents more than just user numbers. It demonstrates how African consumers are leading the charge in practical cryptocurrency adoption, turning digital assets into everyday payment tools rather than speculative investments.
As we track developments in our ongoing coverage, it will be fascinating to see whether MiniPay can maintain this growth trajectory as it expands beyond its African stronghold into global markets.