Keplr Browser Extension (March 2025)

Keplr is a versatile cryptocurrency wallet developed by Chainapsis, recognized as the first and leading wallet to support the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol within the Cosmos ecosystem. It offers users a seamless way to manage assets, stake tokens, participate in governance voting, and interact with decentralized applications (dApps) across multiple blockchains. Available as a browser extension, mobile app, and web version, Keplr stands out as a universal tool for cryptocurrency enthusiasts. This article focuses on the browser extension version of the wallet, available for installation at its official address, exploring its main tabs, their functionalities, and operational workflow.

Overview of Keplr and Its Features

Keplr positions itself as an "Interchain Gateway," enabling users to interact with a variety of blockchains built on the Cosmos SDK. The wallet supports key features, including:

1. Multichain asset management across different networks.
2. Token staking and reward claiming.
3. Participation in governance proposal voting.
4. Integration with Web3 applications via WalletConnect.
5. Compatibility with hardware wallets like Ledger Nano X.

In the browser extension, the Home tab serves as the central hub for user interaction, providing an overview of assets, quick access to core functions, and basic account details.

General Description of the Home Tab Interface

Upon installing and launching the Keplr extension (e.g., via its icon in the Chrome toolbar), users are greeted with a pop-up window approximately 400x600 pixels in size. The Home tab opens by default if the wallet is already set up (after creating or importing an account). The interface is minimalist yet functional, prioritizing ease of use and rapid access to essential actions.

I.) Interface Elements of the Home Tab

1. Header and Navigation Bar

Location: Top of the window.

Description:

• A menu button (three horizontal lines) is displayed in the top left corner.
• An account profile icon on the right provides access to additional settings, such as adding or switching between accounts.
• The center shows the current account name (e.g., "Nestor_1" or a custom name set during creation).

2. Button Descriptions on the Home Tab

The Home tab displays key account and asset information. The buttons—Available, Staked, and Copy Address—are central to navigation and provide quick access to data and actions. Let’s break them down:

Button Interactions:

Available and Staked are visually distinguished (e.g., by color or underlining) based on the active mode. Switching between them updates the token list: Available shows only free assets, while Staked displays staked assets with validator details and current rewards.

Copy Address features an animation (e.g., a brief button fade) and an optional sound cue (if notifications are enabled) to confirm the address has been copied.

Additional Elements:

1. Below the token list, the Transfer button opens the Select Asset tab for quick token selection and IBC transfers.
2. The Manage Asset List tab allows users to hide or display wallet assets.
3. A mini-graph showing the 24-hour total asset value trend (sourced from APIs like CoinGecko) appears next to each asset.

The Home tab in the Keplr browser extension as of March 2025 offers a compact, informative interface designed for swift access to critical data and actions.

II.) Swap Tab

1. Interface Description

Location: Accessible via the side menu (two-arrow icon) or bottom navigation bar in the extension window.

Overview: A compact window with two input/output fields, a confirmation button, and fee settings.

Interface Elements

Input Field:

A dropdown list of swappable tokens (e.g., ATOM, OSMO, EVMOS) with their Available balances.

An amount entry field with a "Max" button to use the full balance.

Output Field:

A similar dropdown for selecting the desired token.

Automatic calculation of the received amount based on current rates (via an integrated DEX like Osmosis or Keplr’s built-in API).

2. "Next" Button:

Active only after selecting tokens and entering an amount. Clicking it opens a transaction confirmation window with details (gas, signature).

Swap Tab Functionality

Enables token swaps within a single network (e.g., ATOM to OSMO in Cosmos Hub) or across networks via IBC, without requiring external DEX platforms.

Process: The user selects tokens, enters an amount, reviews the rate, and confirms the transaction. Keplr signs and submits the request via RPC.

III.) Activity Tab

Overview: A chronological list of transactions with filters and brief details.

Interface Elements

Transaction List:

Each entry includes:

Operation type (Send, Receive, Swap, Stake, Unbond, Vote).

Date and time (e.g., "Mar 19, 2025").

Example: Stake operation with validator "IYKYK."

Amount and token (e.g., "0.50 TIA").

Transaction Details:

Clicking an entry opens a browser window with the transaction hash (txhash), sender/recipient address, and a blockchain explorer link.

IV.) Settings Tab

Interface Description

1. General:

Language: Interface language selection.

Currency: Choose a currency for price display (USD, EUR, BTC, etc.).

Contacts: A folder for saved contact addresses.

Theme: Customize the wallet’s appearance.

Manage AuthZ: Allows management of permissions granted via the Cosmos AuthZ module, enabling delegation of specific actions without relinquishing full control.

Link Keplr Mobile: Syncs the browser wallet with the mobile app for multi-device access using the same credentials.

Switch to Side Panel: Changes the extension from a pop-up to a browser sidebar.

Show 24H Price Change: Displays 24-hour price changes for tokens on the Home tab.

Add/Remove Chains: Add or remove compatible blockchains for greater flexibility.

2. Advanced:

Developer Mode: Offers advanced tools for developers, testers, or experimental network users.

Change Endpoints: Manually adjust RPC and REST API URLs for blockchain interactions.

3. Security & Privacy:

Connected Websites: Lists and manages dApps/websites with wallet access.

Auto-Lock: Sets automatic locking after inactivity for enhanced security.

Change Password: Updates the wallet’s access password.

Share Anonymous Data: Opt-in/out of anonymized usage data collection for development purposes.

4. Add/Remove Custom Token:

Functionality to add or remove custom tokens, available through the wallet interface depending on the network and app version.

The web-based Keplr Dashboard provides access to these features via a user-friendly interface synced with the browser extension or mobile app when using the same account. We’ll explore the main tabs of the Keplr Dashboard in future articles focused on the Cosmos ecosystem.

This article is prepared for educational purposes to explain the functionality of DeFi platforms within the Web3 framework and is not a financial or investment recommendation. Due to potential information obsolescence at the time of publication, the presented data may not fully align with the described content.

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