Google has introduced a groundbreaking feature allowing users to search for wallet balances across various blockchains, including Bitcoin, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Optimism, Polygon, and Fantom.
This functionality enables users to easily input a wallet address and receive comprehensive information on token balances by network, along with the most recent update time.
The feature currently supports three Bitcoin address formats — P2PKH, P2SH, and Bech32 — so users can seamlessly check current balances and recent transactions.
As of today, you can now Search for any of your wallet addresses across bitcoin and five new EVM networks – @arbitrum, @avax, @FantomFDN, @Optimism and @0xPolygon! 🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/fEPogyQ81V
— Rajan Patel (@rajanpatel) March 27, 2024
Google’s integration of Bitcoin data into search results represents a significant step forward in making on-chain activity more accessible, leveraging the platform’s vast daily search traffic.
While this advancement has been praised for promoting mainstream adoption, it has also raised privacy concerns among Bitcoin enthusiasts who prioritise privacy, due to apprehensions over centralised data aggregation.
This new feature follows Google’s previous introduction of Ethereum Name Service (ENS) domain search capabilities, allowing users to search for wallet balances using easily recognizable domain names, such as “vitalik.eth” for Ethereum wallet addresses.
The update builds upon Google’s ongoing efforts to embrace the crypto space, starting with Ethereum wallet balance searches in May 2023 and the integration of a feature in 2022 that tracked some Ethereum wallet balances directly through Google, bypassing the need for Etherscan.
Google’s evolving approach is evident, transitioning from banning Bitcoin-related advertisements in 2018 to welcoming advertisements for spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) following their U.S. approval in January.
This policy change has facilitated the inclusion of ETF offerings from prominent asset managers like BlackRock in Google’s search results.
Additionally, Google’s partnership with Coinbase in October 2022 enabled customers to pay for cloud services with cryptocurrencies, demonstrating the company’s increasing acceptance of digital currencies.
Moreover, Google has shown support for significant events in the crypto world, such as the Ethereum Merge, through themed animations, and collaborated with Web3 startup Orderly Network in 2023 to develop user-friendly developer tools for decentralised finance (DeFi).
These initiatives underscore Google’s evolving relationship with cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, positioning the company as a significant player in bridging mainstream users with the decentralised digital realm.