Google’s latest crypto feature allows some Ethereum wallet addresses to have their own Ethers (
Ethereum
Balances are tracked directly from the Google search engine, saving you the hassle of taking a trip to Etherscan.
The feature was first announced by Google Ventures CEO Han Hua in a tweet on October 11.
But Cointelegraph’s attempt to find Bitcoin (
BTC
) did not appear on Google. Angel investor Stephen Cole was unmoved, tweeting, “Doesn’t Google know about Bitcoin?”
Cointelegraph also tried several different Ethereum addresses, most of which didn’t work. So the functionality is very limited at the moment and could be improved over time.
However, recent efforts show that Google plays a major role in introducing internet users to the world of blockchain and Web3-based services.
The new feature comes in addition to Google’s partnership with crypto exchange Coinbase on October 11 to allow customers to pay for cloud services with cryptocurrency, which is expected to take effect in early 2023.
Google also participated in the Ethereum Merge hype by posting a countdown sign when Ethereum moved from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS).
Related: Near Protocol partners with Google Cloud to support Web3 developers
Marcus Thelen, chief investment officer of digital asset service platform Matrixport, told Cointelegraph that we shouldn’t be surprised by Google’s efforts in the Web3 space, where both commercial banks and Web2 companies continue to do “an enormous amount of work in the background.”
“Obviously, this crypto winter is different as incumbent operators continue to use their balances [to invest in cryptocurrencies] and may even jump over it.”
But while Google’s efforts are welcome, Thielen believes the Web3 mass adoption event could happen “when the iPhone can be used as a crypto wallet.”
“If and when this happens, the cryptocurrency industry will accelerate from 100 miles per hour to 250 miles in an instant,” he added.
community reaction
Vittorio Rivabella, Head of Developer Relations for Web3 development platform Alchemy, said the news about Google’s new Ethereum address search feature was “optimistic”.
However, SadPanda.blockchain, former editor-in-chief of Web3ArtBlog.NFT, wasn’t thrilled with the news, stating that Google “will sell our blockchain data to advertisers so they can target us through our wallet!”
