Google New Altcoin Listings Indicate the Company Is Warming to Cryptocurrencies
Jul 25, 2018, 11:00AM
by Chris Madill
Google now includes four new altcoins (Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin) in their search engine's built-in currency converter.
In a step towards the widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies, Google’s search engine is now showing Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum and Litecoin prices via its online currency converter. The move echoes a larger trend amongst internet and social media platforms that are now looking to include cryptocurrencies in their scope of services, rather than trying to shy away from the crypto-industry.
Google’s search engine will now automatically return a mini-application showing real-time price data when a user searches the name of one of the four main cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin). Until this week, only Bitcoin was supported in this feature. It is unknown what Google uses as the source of its real-time rate data, as the prices often differ from the prices posted on CoinMarketCap.com, a popular website commonly used by crypto-traders.
While Google’s inclusion of new altcoins in their search engine currency converter does not affect the value or popularity of the altcoins directly, it does show the company is moving in a positive direction towards the crypto-industry. Earlier this year, Google has banned all cryptocurrency and ICO ads from their AdWords platform, calling these types of ads both “high-risk” and “malicious” due to the company’s negative perception of cryptocurrencies. While Google’s ban is still in effect, the company hinted at a potential blockchain development program underway at Google X, indicating the company is warming to cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies.
Google is not the only technology-giant who is warming to crypto this month. Facebook, who initiated a similar ban on cryptocurrency ads earlier in the year, has now lifted their ban to allow certain whitelisted companies to advertise on the social media platform. Both companies appear to be moving in a direction that supports crypto, lending legitimacy to the industry and opening the doors for further adoption.
Disclaimer: information contained herein is provided without considering your personal circumstances, therefore should not be construed as financial advice, investment recommendation or an offer of, or solicitation for, any transactions in cryptocurrencies.
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