New crypto sensation: Brave browser with 20 million downloads

The Brave internet browser, which rewards users with cryptocurrency, has clocked up phenomenal growth. According to AppBrain, the Android app has now been downloaded 20 million times. Brave aims to “fix the internet” by blocking ads and refusing to track user activity and location. The platform rewards users and content creators with a native cryptocurrency, Basic Attention Token (BAT).

Could Brave be the “killer app” the cryptocurrency industry has longed for? The 20 million figure marks significant adoption for a blockchain product. It puts the app in the top 1% of all Android downloads. Brave’s growth is one of crypto’s biggest success stories. The team raised $36 million in just 30 seconds when its ICO launched. And the download figure has doubled in six months when CCN reported the ten million milestone.

Although Brave isn’t a pure crypto offering, it’s yet another example of a mainstream product with built-in crypto features. Last month, Samsung unveiled the new Galaxy S10 with a built-in cryptocurrency wallet. HTC has launched a blockchain phone, and banking app Revolut has integrated a cryptocurrency exchange. Brave claims to be up to eight times faster than Chrome or Safari due to the way it blocks advertising. Some websites have as many as 70 trackers which take advantage of your location and browsing behavior.

Blockchain’s Killer App: Crypto-Powered Web Browser Brave Hits 20 Million Downloads, CCN, Mar 05