They're disabled by default. It's better to try it out than to read opinions on the internet about the browser and form a viewpoint, I say this because I too have been guilty of the same.
IIRC, the background processes for these ad and crypto services still run in the background even when you disable them. I haven't checked the browser in a long while. But it's easily verifiable by opening the brave task manager.
I checked to. On my computer, with a fresh install, i have to kill Utility: Bat Ledger Service from the brave task manager every time the browser is started. Thankfully it stays closed.
The ads and crypto stuff are also not exactly as simple to opt out as "literally disable it in the welcome screen when you first install" as one commenter enthusiastically mentioned.
Crypto stuff is definitely disabled, even if you skip the welcome screen. Actually, I don't think they even ask you to enable it on the welcome screen either.
All of it is definitely opt-in. Even Brave Rewards are disabled by default.
