Google has enhanced its search capabilities to allow users to explore wallet balances across various blockchains, including Bitcoin, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Optimism, Polygon, and Fantom. Users can simply input their wallet address to view token balances by network, accompanied by the last updated timestamp.
The feature supports three Bitcoin address formats—P2PKH, P2SH, and Bech32—providing users with access to current balances and recent transactions.
While many commend Google’s efforts to facilitate mainstream adoption, privacy-focused Bitcoin proponents express concerns about centralized data aggregation and its potential impact on privacy.
This development follows Google’s previous introduction of Ethereum Name Service (ENS) domain search results, enabling users to check wallet balances using readable domain names like “vitalik.eth.” The expansion builds on Google’s initial integration of Ethereum wallet balance searches in May 2023.
Google’s recent initiatives mark a shift in its stance towards cryptocurrencies. Despite banning Bitcoin-related advertisements in 2018, Google has reversed its decision, allowing spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) advertisements following their approval in the United States.
In partnership with Coinbase, Google enabled customers to pay for cloud services with crypto in October 2022. Additionally, Google Cloud collaborated with Web3 startup Orderly Network in 2023 to develop user-centric developer tools for decentralized finance (DeFi), aiming to address entry barriers and security concerns in the ecosystem.
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