Opera Shares Jump as MiniPay Expands USDT and Tether Gold Support

Opera (OPRA) shares surged more than 15% after the opening bell following the company’s announcement that it is expanding support for Tether’s USDT stablecoin and Tether Gold (XAUT) in its self-custodial crypto wallet, MiniPay. The news sparked renewed investor interest after OPRA stock had slid to a recent low of $12.40 earlier in the week, before rebounding sharply to around $14.65.

The expansion gives millions of Opera users, particularly in emerging markets, easier access to both dollar-backed and gold-backed cryptocurrencies. According to the company, MiniPay now enables users to hold and transact USDT and XAUT without dealing directly with complex blockchain processes, making crypto payments and savings more accessible to everyday users.

Opera reports that MiniPay has reached 12.6 million activated wallets, with more than 3.64 million onchain users. In December alone, the wallet processed over $153 million in stablecoin transactions, highlighting the growing demand for digital dollars and alternative stores of value in regions facing currency volatility or limited banking access.

While MiniPay is not a financial service provider itself, it acts as a bridge between traditional finance and crypto by connecting users to on- and off-ramp partners such as Binance, Partna, and Fonbank. This approach allows users to move between fiat and cryptocurrencies seamlessly, supporting Opera’s broader goal of financial inclusion.

Last year, Opera introduced a “Pay like a local” feature that lets users make everyday payments using popular local systems, including Mercado Pago in Argentina and Pix in Brazil. The feature has since expanded to support instant SEPA payments across Europe and instant bank transfers in Nigeria, further strengthening MiniPay’s real-world utility.

The announcement also comes amid strong performance from Tether. Earlier this month, the company reported more than $10 billion in net profit for 2025, driven largely by the growth of its USDT stablecoin and significant U.S. Treasury holdings. Tether has also been aggressively increasing its gold exposure, reportedly buying up to $1 billion worth of gold per month, as it continues to diversify alongside bitcoin and other digital assets.

By integrating USDT and Tether Gold into MiniPay, Opera is positioning itself at the intersection of stablecoins, digital payments, and emerging market adoption, a move that appears to be resonating strongly with both users and investors.