Google Enhances Search Engine with Blockchain Wallet Balance Check Features
Summary:
Google has rolled out new features that allow users to check their wallet balances on various blockchains, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, directly from the search engine. This move amplifies Google's accessibility to on-chain operations and follows the initial introduction of Ethereum wallet balance checks in the previous year. Despite marking a step towards wider acceptance, it has raised privacy issues among some Bitcoin supporters. In line with this blockchain-based focus, Google also launched a feature checking Ethereum Name Service (ENS) domain results and started the countdown to Ethereum's shift from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. Google Cloud partnered with Web3 startup Orderly Network in 2023 to create user-friendly developer tools for decentralized finance (DeFi).
Google has enhanced its capabilities, enabling users to check their wallet balances across various blockchains, including Bitcoin, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Optimism, Polygon, and Fantom. After a wallet address is entered, search results reveal the token balance for each network and the most recent update time. Individuals can explore three Bitcoin address formats - P2PKH, P2SH, and Bech32 - to see current balances and updates on recent transactions. The integration of Bitcoin data into search results improves Google's accessibility to on-chain operations, leveraging its massive daily search volume. Despite the wider acceptance this move represents, some Bitcoin proponents who prioritize privacy have voiced concerns about the potential effects of centralized data collection on privacy.
Notably, Google has recently incorporated an Ethereum Name Service (ENS) domain search result feature, allowing users to verify wallet balances via readable domain names associated with Ethereum wallet addresses, such as "vitalik.eth". This and other recent enhancements are based on Google's initial introduction of Ethereum wallet balance searches in May the previous year. In 2022, Google added a feature allowing certain Ethereum wallet addresses to have their Ether (ETH) balances monitored directly by the Google search engine, eliminating the need to visit Etherscan.
Significantly, the implementation of wallet searches represents a shift in Google's approach. Initially, in 2018, Google banned ads related to Bitcoin but has since reversed its decision, allowing Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) advertisements to be shown following their approval in January.
Ads for ETF products from prominent asset managers like BlackRock are now visible in search results.
In October 2022, Google entered into a partnership with Coinbase, enabling its customers to pay for cloud services using cryptocurrency. The tech firm also started a fascinating countdown to the Ethereum Merge event in 2022, marking the shift of Ethereum from proof-of-work (PoW) to proof-of-stake (PoS) with an animation of synchronized pandas.
Google Cloud came into an alliance with Web3 startup Orderly Network in 2023 to create user-focused developer tools for decentralized finance (DeFi), aiming to reduce the entry barrier into the decentralized world. The partnership was designed to address major difficulties in the DeFi ecosystem, namely, entry barriers and security issues.
The magazine featured a piece titled 'Doctor Who arrives in Web3 — Tony Pearce’s journey in time and space'.
Published At
3/29/2024 12:50:02 PM
Disclaimer: Algoine does not endorse any content or product on this page. Readers should conduct their own research before taking any actions related to the asset, company, or any information in this article and assume full responsibility for their decisions. This article should not be considered as investment advice. Our news is prepared with AI support.
Do you suspect this content may be misleading, incomplete, or inappropriate in any way, requiring modification or removal?
We appreciate your report.