Google Now Offers Currency Conversion For Bitcoin, Ethereum, And Litecoin

In a massive step towards the widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies, Google now offers support for currency conversion to include Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Litecoin (LTC) and Ethereum (ETH). It means that Google users will be able to quickly check the current prices of digital currencies as compared to their local FIAT currencies. It is a brilliant move by Google, given the growing interest across the world in cryptocurrencies.

However, unlike Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin, the process of obtaining the currency conversion for Ethereum is slightly more involving. Users will first need to search for the term “currency conversion” in Google, and then pick the Ether option located within the menu of the finance widget. Google did not clarify as to the reasons for the extra steps needed to convert Ethereum, in contrast with the other altcoins.

Like most other major companies, Google has historically had a vague outlook about the future of digital currencies as they perhaps wait to see how this relatively new market continue to develop. Nevertheless, Google has still implemented several significant decisions linked to cryptocurrency over the last few months.

In early March, Google started a crackdown on all cryptocurrency-linked advertising, which includes ICOS, trading advice and digital wallets. This decision means that companies with legal cryptocurrencies will not be permitted to offer adverts through Google’s multiple ad products. This hardline stance on crypto ads was similar to what social media giants, Twitter and Facebook, had already announced in 2018. Nevertheless, Facebook later decided to reverse its decision and allow some crypto ads on its social network platform, and also added Coinbase to its whitelist.

According to an internal report, Google took down over 3.2 billion adverts that had violated its ad policies. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, makes over 80% of its revenue from its advertising business. Hence, convincing advertisers and users alike that its entire ecosystem is effective and safe is significant. The Google ban on crypto ads was likely because the unregulated nature of cryptocurrencies led to numerous cryptocurrency related scams, like fake ICOs.

Google also decided to ban crypto mining extensions from its favorite Chrome browser. This ban was announced in July, and it was because most of the mining extensions did not meet Google’s sole-usage policy.

That said, allowing the easy conversion of the three leading altcoins with Google’s widget means a brighter future for cryptocurrencies.

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