Update (May 13, 1:00 pm UTC): This article now includes third-party commentary from Robert Roose. Brave Browser, a Web3 and privacy-focused web browser, has integrated the Cardano blockchain into its native and standalone wallets. As announced on May 12, this integration results from a partnership between Brave and Cardano development firm Input Output, enabling Cardano blockchain access and token management directly through Brave Wallet. Brendan Eich, co-founder and CEO of Brave and the Basic Attention Token (BAT), stated that this integration expands multi-chain access while enhancing security, governance participation, and user experience. He emphasized Brave’s commitment to maximizing user choice and tools to engage with decentralized ecosystems, allowing users to access Cardano’s blockchain without leaving the browser or wallet interfaces. Brave had yet to respond to Cointelegraph's comment request. Robert Roose, founder of Cardano interoperability protocol Mynth, described this as “a fantastic moment” for the Cardano ecosystem. He called Brave’s support “a huge step” toward making Cardano more widespread and interoperable, noting that Cardano decentralized applications (DApps) are now “within easy reach” via Brave Browser. Roose added that most infrastructure and tooling are in place, meaning Cardano is “truly ready for prime time. ” Brave, which already supports Ethereum and Solana blockchains, highlighted Midnight (NIGHT) — a privacy-focused Cardano sidechain developed by Shielded Technologies, an Input Output spinout — as a beneficiary of this partnership.

Midnight focuses on confidential smart contracts and data protection. Input Output CEO Charles Hoskinson recently proposed that Midnight could enable free transactions for NFT ticket holders by issuing NFTs upon signup that grant a certain number of daily transactions, facilitating Web2-like use cases where users can have free accounts and apps running on crypto infrastructure without needing tokens. Roose noted that Midnight “extends what Cardano can do, ” complementing Mynth’s privacy-focused, interoperable cross-chain swaps to allow heightened privacy for Cardano users. He also mentioned ongoing developments involving zero-knowledge proof-based solutions enhancing network privacy. This collaboration marks the first step in a long-term partnership between Brave Browser and Input Output, with promises of future innovations around Cardano governance and Midnight’s capabilities. Eran Barak, CEO of Midnight, previously explained that while blockchain’s transparency is attractive, it also impedes adoption in sectors like business and medicine due to metadata enabling tracking and identification. Midnight aims to address these privacy challenges. Earlier in 2023, the Cardano ecosystem team released a software toolkit for developers to deploy custom-built sidechains, signaling ongoing expansion and innovation.