Key Highlights:
•Google Cloud unveils a specialized portal for blockchain developers, receiving a mix of reactions.
•Notably missing is native support for Bitcoin and the Lightning Network, sparking criticism from key industry figures.
Yello ParadiseSquad! Google Cloud has launched a new Web3 portal aimed at blockchain developers, but the reception has been varied. Phil Geiger, the vice president of product marketing at Unchained, pointed out a significant gap in the portal’s offerings — the lack of native Bitcoin and lightning support, which he described as an oversight, especially considering Bitcoin’s prominence in the crypto world.
On social media, reactions also varied. A crypto trader known as MartyParty shared his disappointment with his 80,700 followers, stating plainly that “Google is way behind.” In contrast, Ivaibi Festo, the founder of Mitroplus labs, praised the new portal as a “comprehensive resource” for developers, highlighting its potential to aid in blockchain development.
Portal Features and Benefits
The portal itself is designed to be a robust resource for developers, providing access to various products and testnet tokens for deploying and testing decentralized applications on Ethereum testnets such as Sepolia and Holesky. It also features a learning program with tutorials on topics like NFT development, Web3 loyalty programs, and secure digital asset management through multi-party computation.
Enhanced Capabilities and Policy Updates
Google has also improved its capabilities to allow users to search wallet balances across several blockchains, including Bitcoin, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Optimism, Polygon, and Fantom. The tech giant has adjusted its advertising policies to permit the promotion of specific crypto products, like Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, on its search engines starting from 2024.
Strategic Partnerships and Expansion
In the lead-up to the portal’s launch, Google has been proactive in forming partnerships to strengthen its Web3 presence. For instance, in October 2023, Google Cloud’s BigQuery data warehouse was integrated with MultiversX, enhancing the availability of valuable data analytics and AI tools for Web3 projects. Additionally, in September, BigQuery expanded to include data from 11 different blockchain networks, thereby boosting its support for a wider range of Web3 applications.
Closing Thoughts
This new move by Google Cloud represents a significant step into the evolving world of blockchain technology, though it’s clear that the tech giant will need to address the crypto community’s concerns to fully capitalize on its Web3 ambitions. Stay tuned for more updates on how this platform develops and adapts to the dynamic needs of blockchain enthusiasts.
