Long-established domestic browser “Lunascape” has been significantly renewed with wallet function | CoinDesk JAPAN

When considering the spread of Web3, “wallets” are considered to be a major hurdle. How do users own, store, and utilize crypto assets, stable coins, and even NFTs that are likely to be issued by many companies?

Functionally, it is a wallet, but from a user’s perspective, it comes down to what kind of UI/UX can be achieved on a smartphone. In this sense, in 2024, the “battle for space” over smartphones will break out and intensify. How do we get users to download and use wallets?

On January 25th, GUGroup, which provides Web3 solutions and operates blockchain consortiums such as Japan Open Chain, released the official version of Lunascape Mobile Ver.14, a Web3-compatible smartphone browser equipped with a Web3 wallet.

If you’re an internet savvy person, you may be familiar with the name “Lunascape.” Lunascape is a domestic browser that has been used in Japan for more than 20 years, with a cumulative total of more than 20 million users, according to the release. Released in 2001, it gained popularity as one of the few tabbed browsers at the time.

This is Lunascape’s first major renewal in five years, and it now includes “Lunascape Wallet” as a new Web3 wallet function. It is compatible with Ethereum-based blockchains, and you will be able to access and trade on DEXs (distributed exchanges) and NFT marketplaces without having to install a separate crypto asset wallet.

In other words, the strategy is to make major updates to long-established domestic browsers to make them compatible with Web3, and to introduce “wallet”, which is the key to mass adoption of Web3, from the perspective of browsers that users use on a daily basis.

In addition to the wallet function, the existing ad blocking function has been strengthened through a major renewal. For example, it is possible to block video ads while viewing Youtube. It also has a search engine selector that allows you to select your favorite search engine.

Additionally, upon release, an NFT distribution campaign will be held. Hidekazu Kondo, CEO of GUGroup, said in an interview with CoinDesk JAPAN, “As a Web3-compatible browser, we believe it is the easiest to use in the world,” adding that through the NFT distribution campaign, “We want people who have not yet encountered Web3 to experience Web3.” It’s important that we have that.”

｜Text/Editing: CoinDesk JAPAN Editorial Department
｜Image: From the release