In a move supportive of the crypto industry, Google has decided to facilitate the display of cryptocurrency wallet balances directly through its search engine. Users can now access balance information for wallets associated with Bitcoin, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Optimism, Polygon, and Fantom blockchains by simply typing the wallet address into the Google Search bar. This initiative by Google, a widely visited web platform, aims to streamline engagement with digital wallets, potentially attracting more individuals to the digital asset space.
It’s important to note that the displayed balances may not be updated in real-time and will only reflect balances in the native tokens of eligible blockchains integrated into this Google feature. Screenshots showcasing this functionality have already started circulating on social networking platforms.
It’s crucial to understand that blockchain transactions are publicly recorded, meaning a wallet address does not disclose the identity of the wallet holder. The control of each wallet is maintained through its private key, held by the respective wallet owner.
This announcement coincides with a period of bullish momentum in the crypto market. Bitcoin, for instance, recently achieved a new all-time high, surpassing $73,000. According to predictions by Standard Chartered, Bitcoin is anticipated to reach $200,000 by 2025. The ongoing bull run, coupled with the introduction of ETFs in the US and ETNs in the UK, is expected to attract more investors to the crypto sector, potentially driving increased traffic to Google for wallet balance inquiries.
This isn’t the first instance of Google integrating crypto-friendly services into its search platform. Earlier this month, Google Search began displaying wallet balances for active Ethereum Name Service (ENS) holders. ENS facilitates the conversion of complex wallet addresses into user-friendly, abbreviated addresses for easier identification and usage.
