A recent development by Google has made it possible for users to search for wallet balances across multiple blockchains, including Bitcoin, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Optimism, Polygon, and Fantom. This new feature allows users to input a wallet address and access detailed information about token balances by network as well as the most recent update time.

By supporting three Bitcoin address formats -- P2PKH, P2SH, and Bech32 -- users can easily check their current balances and recent transactions seamlessly. The inclusion of Bitcoin data in Google's search results is a significant step towards making on-chain activity more accessible to users given the platform's extensive search traffic.

While this innovation has been praised for promoting mainstream adoption, it has also raised concerns among Bitcoin advocates who prioritize privacy due to worries about centralized data aggregation. Google's incorporation of Ethereum Name Service (ENS) domain search functionality showcases a continued expansion of its blockchain-related services.

Users now have the ability to search for wallet balances using recognizable domain names, like "vitalik.eth" for Ethereum wallet addresses. Google has progressively embraced the crypto world, beginning with Ethereum wallet balance searches in May 2023 and the direct tracking of some Ethereum wallet balances in 2022 without needing to visit Etherscan.

From initially banning Bitcoin-related ads in 2018 to allowing ads for spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) post their U.S. approval in January, Google's approach has seen a significant shift. The partnership with Coinbase in October 2022 enabled customers to pay for cloud services using cryptocurrencies, indicating Google's increasing acceptance of digital currencies.

Furthermore, Google has illustrated support for major events in the crypto space, such as the Ethereum Merge, through themed animations and collaborations with Web3 startup Orderly Network in 2023. This joint effort is aimed at creating user-friendly developer tools for decentralized finance (DeFi) to address key challenges in the DeFi ecosystem, including entry barriers and security concerns.

These initiatives showcase Google's evolving engagement with cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, solidifying its role in connecting mainstream users with the decentralized digital world.