In a recent livestream on January 29, Cardano's founder, Charles Hoskinson, provided a detailed update on the new features of the Lace wallet. Key highlights include accelerated release cycles, upcoming Firefox compatibility, and anticipated Bitcoin integration. Hoskinson, who expressed enthusiasm about January's developments, emphasized his proactive approach in testing these features while reaffirming Cardano's broader 2025 roadmap.
Hoskinson announced operational changes within the Lace team aimed at expediting product releases. He noted, "Lace just released version 1.19.
We've significantly increased the velocity of releases, overcoming bottlenecks faced over the years, thanks in part to Brandon Wolf’s leadership and structural changes within our team." This enhanced organizational framework supports a strategy of rapid and frequent deployments, introducing several new features to users.
One of the most noteworthy updates is the impending Firefox support, expected in the coming weeks. Hoskinson also indicated that Bitcoin compatibility is imminent: "We anticipate Firefox support in the next two to four weeks, with Bitcoin support following shortly thereafter."
Lace version 1.19 introduces a new dapp Explorer to streamline user interaction with Cardano-based decentralized applications. According to Hoskinson, this Explorer represents the first step toward a comprehensive dapp store. By integrating with platforms like MinSwap and Sunday Swap, the dapp Explorer demonstrates a pathway toward more user-friendly cryptocurrency transactions. Hoskinson showcased how transaction confirmation times have improved dramatically "from hours to seconds."
To enhance user experience and security, Lace now offers PGP-encrypted paper wallets, which Hoskinson termed the most secure backup method to date. Displaying his example, he explained, "This is my paper wallet, encrypted with my PGP key. It's accessible for tracking, but not for recovery."
Additionally, Lace features a "Nami mode" that allows users to retain familiar functionalities of the Nami wallet. Hoskinson acknowledged the initial ambiguity in accessing this feature, emphasizing ongoing efforts to refine the user interface. Version 1.19 also debuts early-stage multisig capabilities and multi-stake pool delegation support, further enriching Cardano’s decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem.
Beyond browser extensions, Lace's development extends to a dedicated mobile app. Hoskinson underscored the importance of seamless synchronization between desktop and mobile platforms, aiming for minimal latency in feature parity. He also mentioned plans for a future identity center designed to simplify KYC processes: "Instead of repeated KYC procedures, a Lace ID could be recognized by partners for a seamless experience."
During the presentation, Hoskinson highlighted evolving governance features within Cardano. The upcoming Plomin hard fork—set for January 29—will introduce a voting system for a Cardano constitution and an annual budget proposal. He also covered ongoing innovations such as advanced oracles, stablecoin frameworks, and the Midgard protocol developed by Anastasia Labs, which he described as pivotal to enhancing Cardano’s DeFi infrastructure.
"All the components are converging to create a robust ecosystem that becomes increasingly consumer-friendly with each iteration," Hoskinson stated. Reflecting on progress achieved in recent years, he predicted that the next phase of Cardano's evolution will be "dramatically more transformational." As of the latest update, ADA traded at $0.9155.