Key Points
- Google is expanding its search engine capabilities to include cryptocurrency wallet balances for various blockchains.
- Despite the convenience, some privacy-focused users have expressed concerns about this centralized data aggregation.
Google has announced a new feature that will enable users to monitor their cryptocurrency wallet balances directly through the search engine. Users simply need to input their wallet’s address. The new feature will support a variety of blockchains, including Bitcoin, Avalanche, Arbitrum, Polygon, Optimism, and Fantom.
The new feature will not only display the native token balance of a wallet for each supported network, but it will also indicate the most recent update time. This will provide users with near real-time visibility of their cryptocurrency holdings.
Expanded Search Capabilities
For Bitcoin, users will be able to search for three address formats – P2PKH, P2SH, and Bech32. They can then instantly access current balances and recent transactions associated with those addresses. By integrating Bitcoin data into search results, Google is improving accessibility to on-chain activity.
However, not everyone is pleased with this new development. Some users, particularly those who prioritize privacy, have raised concerns about the potential impact of this centralized data aggregation on their privacy.
Previous Google Crypto Initiatives
This new feature builds on Google’s previous integration of Ethereum Name Service (ENS) domains. It represents a significant step forward for cryptocurrency enthusiasts, enhancing the accessibility and management of digital assets through the search platform.
In May 2023, Google introduced Ethereum wallet balance searches. In 2022, it integrated a feature that allowed Ethereum wallet addresses to check their Ether balances through the Google search engine.
Google’s inclusion of wallet searches represents a shift in the company’s approach to cryptocurrencies. In 2018, the company banned Bitcoin-related advertisements, but it has since reversed this decision. It now allows spot Bitcoin (BTC) tickers and advertisements for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) following their approval in the United States in January.
Google search results now feature ETF products from major asset managers such as BlackRock. In October 2022, Google partnered with Coinbase to allow its customers to use cryptocurrency to pay for cloud services.
In addition, Google has been involved in other crypto-related initiatives. During the Google Merge event in September 2022, the company initiated a countdown featuring animated pandas. In 2023, Google Cloud partnered with Web3 startup Ordely Network to develop user-centric developer tools for DeFi, aiming to lower the entry barrier to this field.
