Opera Proposes 160M CELO Token Allocation from Celo Treasury

Opera proposes 160M CELO token allocation to deepen partnership

Opera proposes 160M CELO tokens as part of a governance plan first reported by Official Celo X (Source: Celo Announcement). The allocation would come from Celo’s unreleased treasury and replace recurring quarterly USD grants.

If the community approves the proposal, Opera would receive the tokens in a single transfer, positioning the company as a major stakeholder in the network. The partnership already centers around MiniPay, Opera’s self-custodial stablecoin wallet, which has driven significant real-world usage across emerging markets.

Background on Opera and Celo

Opera and Celo have worked together since 2021, when the browser first integrated Celo-based stablecoins. The partnership expanded in 2023 with the launch of MiniPay, a mobile-first wallet that allows users to send stablecoins using phone numbers and pay gas fees in tokens instead of CELO.

MiniPay has scaled quickly. It now reports over 14 million accounts and more than 420 million transactions across 66 countries. (Source: Opera Press Release)

Celo itself has positioned as a leading Ethereum Layer 2 network, with more than 700,000 daily active users according to the same release.

Until now, Opera received quarterly cash grants from Celo’s treasury, each requiring governance approval. The new proposal replaces that model with a single long-term allocation.

Why this matters

Opera proposes 160M CELO token allocation at a scale that stands out. The amount represents around 27 percent of CELO’s circulating supply and 16 percent of its maximum supply. (Source: CoinMarketCap)

A publicly listed company holding that share of a network is rare. It signals long-term commitment rather than short-term partnership. The structure also aligns incentives. Instead of receiving cash, Opera benefits directly from Celo’s growth.

Celo co-founder Rene Reinsberg explained the shift:

“Our partnership with Opera has evolved significantly over nearly five years, and we’re proud to take this next step together as our joint mission of accessible, effective stablecoin solutions becomes a reality for users worldwide.”

Opera’s EVP Mobile Jørgen Arnesen added:

“Through this continued partnership, we’re making a long-term commitment to the Celo ecosystem and to bringing that utility to our global user base.”

The move could also accelerate adoption. Opera’s global user base and MiniPay’s growth create a direct distribution channel for stablecoins.

How the proposal works

The proposal outlines a one-time transfer of 160 million CELO tokens to a Safe wallet controlled by Opera. The tokens would support continued development and deeper integration of Celo stablecoins across Opera’s products.

To address governance concerns, voting power tied to these tokens would be capped at 10 percent of total staked CELO, except in emergency situations. This replaces the previous system of recurring grants and removes the need for repeated governance approvals.

Opera would not purchase the tokens on the open market. Instead, the allocation comes directly from treasury reserves in exchange for long-term ecosystem contribution.

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What happens next

The proposal is now live in Celo’s governance forum, where the community will review and vote. If approved, the allocation will move forward under a three-year partnership framework.

Opera has already planned expansion efforts, including a roadshow in Vietnam and the Philippines to drive adoption and grow the Mini App ecosystem across Latin America and Southeast Asia.

MiniPay users are also expected to see expanded reward redemptions in USDT. The market reacted quickly. CELO rose around 15 percent following the news (Source: Incrypted Report).