www.fool.com
Open in
urlscan Pro
151.101.129.143
Public Scan
URL:
https://www.fool.com/investing/2022/02/08/google-just-gave-its-nod-of-approval-to-blockchain/
Submission: On February 09 via api from US — Scanned from DE
Submission: On February 09 via api from US — Scanned from DE
Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOMPOST /data-protection/modal/
<form action="/data-protection/modal/" method="post" id="modal-form">
<fieldset>
<input type="hidden" name="csrfmiddlewaretoken" value="6pymUenZyBVoqrfyK2L3XCX8UxMsDirS39Ara7MVdKCjmWeTOaPBdYF2DWPSbElT">
<label for="id_legalese_id_1_0">I would like content tailored to my personal preferences. To deliver my customized experience, The Fool may combine my data with those of its partners.</label>
<ul class="consent-option">
<li><label><input type="radio" name="legalese_id_1" value="True" class="consent-option" id="" required="" tabindex="0"> Yes, I agree.</label>
</li>
<li><label><input type="radio" name="legalese_id_1" value="False" class="consent-option" id="" required="" tabindex="0"> Not right now.</label>
</li>
</ul>
<label for="id_legalese_id_4_0">I would like to receive emails from you about product information and offers from The Fool and its business partners.</label>
<ul class="consent-option">
<li><label><input type="radio" name="legalese_id_4" value="True" class="consent-option" id="" required="" tabindex="0"> Yes, I agree.</label>
</li>
<li><label><input type="radio" name="legalese_id_4" value="False" class="consent-option" id="" required="" tabindex="0"> Not right now.</label>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="button-bar">
<input type="submit" class="gdpr-submit-button" id="gdpr-submit-button" value="Submit" data-uw-rm-form="submit" tabindex="0">
</div>
</fieldset>
</form>
Name: lookup — /fooldotcom/searchredirect/
<form name="lookup" action="/fooldotcom/searchredirect/" class="header-search-form">
<span class="sr-only">Search</span>
<label for="fool-search" class="fool-search-label" style="display:none;"> Search: </label>
<input name="query" label="search" id="fool-search" class="ticker-input-input" placeholder="Company Search" role="search" aria-hidden="false" aria-haspopup="true" autocomplete="off" data-uw-rm-form="nfx">
<div class="ticker-input-results" role="list" aria-hidden="true" style="display: none;"></div>
<input type="submit" class="sr-only" value="Go" data-uw-rm-form="submit">
<div id="header-search-submit">
<svg class="fa-svg-icon">
<use xlink:href="#search"></use>
</svg>
</div>
</form>
Text Content
Skip to main content Enable accessibility for visually impaired Open the accessibility menu Open the Accessible Navigation Menu WE TAKE YOUR PRIVACY SERIOUSLY … We understand our responsibility to protect your personal data. We've always tried to use your data only for purposes that we believe will benefit you. Please help us verify ways we may use your data to help you invest … better. You can see your data or change your preferences at any time from the My Settings page. You can also unsubscribe from future emails by selecting the “unsubscribe” link in any future emails you receive. To find out more about how we collect, store and handle your personal data, read our privacy statement. I would like content tailored to my personal preferences. To deliver my customized experience, The Fool may combine my data with those of its partners. * Yes, I agree. * Not right now. I would like to receive emails from you about product information and offers from The Fool and its business partners. * Yes, I agree. * Not right now. This site uses cookies, pixels, and other similar technologies, as well as social plugins, as further described in our privacy statement. If you continue to browse our site, you are accepting our use of these tools. You can modify your browser settings so as not to accept cookies. Read our privacy statement Got it! Search Premium Advice Login Help Premium Services * Latest Stock Picks * Our Services * Investing Basics Premium Services Return S&P Stock Advisor Flagship service 511% 137% Rule Breakers High-growth stocks 272% 118% Returns as of 02/09/2022 View all Motley Fool Services Investing 101 * How to Invest Money * What to Invest In * How to Invest in Stocks * How to Invest in Index Funds * How to Invest in ETFs Best Accounts * Best Stock Brokers * Best Brokers for Beginners * Best IRA Accounts * Best Roth IRA Accounts * Best Options Brokers Stock Market Basics * Stock Market 101 * Types of Stocks * Stock Market Sectors * Stock Market Indexes * S&P 500 * Dow Jones * Nasdaq Composite * Stock Market Premium Services Return S&P Stock Advisor Flagship service 511% 137% Rule Breakers High-growth stocks 272% 118% Returns as of 02/09/2022 View all Motley Fool Services Stocks * Growth Stocks * Value Stocks * Dividend Stocks * Small Cap Stocks * Large Cap Stocks * Blue Chip Stocks Industries to Invest In * Consumer Goods * Technology * Energy * Healthcare * Financial * Cryptocurrency * NFTs News * Top Stocks to Buy in 2022 * Stock Market News * Retirement Getting Started * Retirement 101 * Why to Start Saving Now * Types of Retirement Accounts * 401k Basics * IRA Basics * HSA Basics Planning for Retirement * How much do I need to retire? * When To Retire * Factoring in Social Security * What is the Full Retirement Age? * Investing for Retirement * Retirement Strategies Retired: What Now? * Retiring in 2022 * Withdrawal Strategies * Healthcare in Retirement * Taxes in Retirement * Estate Planning * Personal Finance Credit Cards * Best Credit Cards * Best Cash Back Cards * Best Balance Transfer Cards * Best Travel Credit Cards * Best 0% Credit Cards * Best Rewards Cards * Best Cards for Bad Credit Bank & Loans * Best Savings Accounts * Best Checking Accounts * Best CD Rates * Best Personal Loans * Best Debt Consolidation Loans Homebuying * Best Mortgage Lenders * Best Mortgage Refi Lenders * Best Lenders for First-time Buyers * Best FHA Mortgage Lenders * Current Mortgage Rates Guides * Credit Cards 101 * Bank Accounts 101 * Home Loans 101 * Pay Off Debt * Increase Your Credit Score * About Us Our Purpose: To make the world smarter, happier, and richer. Founded in 1993 by brothers Tom and David Gardner, The Motley Fool helps millions of people attain financial freedom through our website, podcasts, books, newspaper column, radio show, and premium investing services. Who Is the Motley Fool? * About Us * Investing Philosophy * Reviews * Foolanthropy * Media Inquiries * Contact Us Fool Podcasts * Podcasts Home * Motley Fool Money * Rule Breaker Investing Social Media + * Facebook * Twitter * YouTube * Discussion Boards * CAPS - Stock Picking Community New Ventures * The Ascent * Millionacres * Latest Stock Picks * Our Services * Investing Basics Investing Basics Investing 101 * How to Invest Money * What to Invest In * How to Invest in Stocks * How to Invest in Index Funds * How to Invest in ETFs Best Accounts * Best Stock Brokers * Best Brokers for Beginners * Best IRA Accounts * Best Roth IRA Accounts * Best Options Brokers Stock Market Basics * Stock Market 101 * Types of Stocks * Stock Market Sectors * Stock Market Indexes * S&P 500 * Dow Jones * Nasdaq Composite * Stock Market Stock Market Stocks * Growth Stocks * Value Stocks * Dividend Stocks * Small Cap Stocks * Large Cap Stocks * Blue Chip Stocks Industries to Invest In * Consumer Goods * Technology * Energy * Healthcare * Financial * Cryptocurrency * NFTs News * Top Stocks to Buy in 2022 * Stock Market News * Retirement Retirement Getting Started * Retirement 101 * Why to Start Saving Now * Types of Retirement Accounts * 401k Basics * IRA Basics * HSA Basics Planning for Retirement * How much do I need to retire? * When To Retire * Factoring in Social Security * What is the Full Retirement Age? * Investing for Retirement * Retirement Strategies Retired: What Now? * Retiring in 2022 * Withdrawal Strategies * Healthcare in Retirement * Taxes in Retirement * Estate Planning * Personal Finance Personal Finance Credit Cards * Best Credit Cards * Best Cash Back Cards * Best Balance Transfer Cards * Best Travel Credit Cards * Best 0% Credit Cards * Best Rewards Cards * Best Cards for Bad Credit Bank & Loans * Best Savings Accounts * Best Checking Accounts * Best CD Rates * Best Personal Loans * Best Debt Consolidation Loans Homebuying * Best Mortgage Lenders * Best Mortgage Refi Lenders * Best Lenders for First-time Buyers * Best FHA Mortgage Lenders * Current Mortgage Rates Guides * Credit Cards 101 * Bank Accounts 101 * Home Loans 101 * Pay Off Debt * Increase Your Credit Score * About Us About Us Who Is the Motley Fool? * About Us * Investing Philosophy * Reviews * Foolanthropy * Media Inquiries * Contact Us Fool Podcasts * Podcasts Home * Motley Fool Money * Rule Breaker Investing Social Media + * Facebook * Twitter * YouTube * Discussion Boards * CAPS - Stock Picking Community New Ventures * The Ascent * Millionacres * Help * Login Search Search: GOOGLE JUST GAVE ITS NOD OF APPROVAL TO BLOCKCHAIN AND CRYPTO TECHNOLOGY ALPHABET CEO SUNDAR PICHAI JUST MADE A PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING BLOCKCHAIN DEVELOPMENT. Nicholas Rossolillo (TMFnrossolillo) Feb 8, 2022 at 6:55AM Author Bio Nicholas has been a writer for the Motley Fool since 2015, covering companies primarily in the consumer goods and technology sectors. He is also the founder and president of Concinnus Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor based in Spokane, WA. He enjoys the outdoors up and down the West Coast with his wife and their Humane Society-rescued dog. KEY POINTS * Just days before Alphabet's Q4 2021 earnings call, Google Cloud announced a dedicated team for blockchain development. * Blockchain technology has uses beyond just cryptocurrency and could actually be the next evolution in computing. Motley Fool Issues Rare “All In” Buy Alert Blockchain technology and the cryptocurrencies built on it have been a hot investment theme the past few years. However, outside of a handful of fintech companies that enable trading of cryptos or that buy and hold crypto, mega-tech business executives have had little to say about blockchain or internal projects they might be working on. That might be about to change. The chief executive officer of Google parent Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)(NASDAQ:GOOG), Sundar Pichai, just made a public comment on blockchain when asked about future internet tech development. That doesn't mean you should start throwing your hard-earned money at cryptocurrencies, but it is a nod of approval to the underlying blockchain tech that's worth paying attention to. Image source: Getty Images. GOOGLE IS "DEFINITELY LOOKING AT BLOCKCHAIN" A big, bright spotlight has been shone on Alphabet's knockout Q4 2021 earnings. A 32% year-over-year increase in revenue, driven by the more than $61.2 billion in Google advertising during the final months of the year, is no joke. But Google is always on the lookout for new opportunities. Its bustling YouTube business segment has paid off handsomely in recent years, and while Google Cloud isn't profitable (yet), that division grew 44% year over year in Q4 to $5.54 billion. Clearly Google knows how to foster growth in emerging technologies. To that end, a stock analyst asked Pichai about web3 on the earnings call. Web3 has become a woefully overused and cheapened term, but the original basic meaning refers to a decentralized version of the internet with complex services built on blockchain -- a distributed electronic ledger that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum use to record transaction data. Pichai's response to the query is worth reviewing at length: > The web has always evolved, and it's going to continue to evolve. And as > Google, we have benefited tremendously from open-source technologies, and so > we do plan to contribute there. There's several areas of interest. AR > [augmented reality] is a big one at the computing layer. We've been investing > there for a long time, we'll continue to play a role. And it's something both > -- not just with the computing layer, but services layer, be it Maps, YouTube, > Google Meet, etc., I think, will contribute a lot. > > On Web3, we are definitely looking at blockchain, and such an interesting and > powerful technology with broad applications so much broader again than any one > application. So as a company, we are looking at how we might contribute to the > ecosystem and add value. Just one example, our Cloud team is looking at how > they can support our customers' needs in building, transacting, storing value > and deploying new products on blockchain-based platforms. So we'll definitely > be watching the space closely and supporting it where we can. Overall, I think > technology will continue to evolve and innovate, and we want to be > pro-innovation and approach it that way. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR INVESTORS? Thanks to movies like Ready Player One and, more recently, Facebook's rebranding to Meta Platforms, augmented and virtual reality have been billed as an early version of web3. While that's not exactly an accurate depiction of what web3 is all about, Google has nonetheless been involved with various AR and VR projects over the years, and use of its software will no doubt continue in this computing format. But more specific to actual web3 was Pichai's comments on blockchain. While the tech was invented for recording and managing transactions (the first blockchain was the ledger system Bitcoin utilizes, developed by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto), it has far wider use in other services beyond finance. For example, things like automated execution of contracts between parties, data sharing and personal identification services, supply chain monitoring, management of large-scale networks in real time, or certification of property ownership (uh, non-fungible tokens, but other stuff, too) can all make use of a distributed ledger system. In this sense, we could think of blockchain technology as a further fragmentation of current cloud and edge computing networks, in which data and computing of data gets pushed from a local data center onto individual devices. Thus, Pichai's indication that the Google Cloud team is working with customers in this department. In fact, just days before the Q4 earnings call, Google Cloud announced the creation of the Digital Assets Team, dedicated to blockchain development. Again, I wouldn't take the Alphabet CEO's comments as a reason to go load up on cryptocurrencies as an investment. Nevertheless, it's an interesting (if not particularly specific) positive comment on blockchain from one of the world's most important and powerful organizations. If you're looking for a surefire long-term bet on the technology, owning shares of Alphabet might be the best ticket there is right now. SHOULD YOU INVEST $1,000 IN ALPHABET INC. RIGHT NOW? Before you consider Alphabet Inc., you'll want to hear this. Our award-winning analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Alphabet Inc. wasn't one of them. The online investing service they've run for nearly two decades, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has beaten the stock market by over 4X.* And right now, they think there are 10 stocks that are better buys. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of January 20, 2022 This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium advisory service. We’re motley! Questioning an investing thesis -- even one of our own -- helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Nicholas Rossolillo owns Alphabet (C shares), Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Meta Platforms, Inc. His clients may own the companies or cryptocurrencies mentioned. The Motley Fool owns and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Meta Platforms, Inc. The Motley Fool recommends Alphabet (C shares). The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MOTLEY FOOL RETURNS Stock Advisor S&P 500 511% 137% Join Stock Advisor Discounted offers are only available to new members. Stock Advisor will renew at the then current list price. Stock Advisor list price is $199 per year. Stock Advisor launched in February of 2002. Returns as of 02/09/2022. Don't miss out. Market opens in… 05 Hours : 12 Minutes : 28 Seconds Cumulative Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Stock Advisor Calculated by Time-Weighted Return -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STOCKS GOOG ALPHABET INC. NASDAQ:GOOG $2,784.26 UP $5.50 (0.20%) MOTLEY FOOL STOCK ADVISOR'S LATEST PICK Get Access 511% Avg Return GOOGL ALPHABET INC. NASDAQ:GOOGL $2,787.98 UP $3.96 (0.14%) FB META PLATFORMS, INC. NASDAQ:FB $220.18 DOWN $-4.73 (-2.10%) BTC BITCOIN CRYPTO:BTC $43,585.47 DOWN $-491.53 (-1.12%) ETH ETHEREUM CRYPTO:ETH $3,115.90 DOWN $-3.67 (-0.12%) Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Prev * * 1 * Next EMPTY HEADING Get Started Now Making the world smarter, happier, and richer. * Facebook * Twitter * Linked In * Pinterest * YouTube * Instagram * Tiktok © 1995 - 2022 The Motley Fool. All rights reserved. Market data powered by Xignite. ABOUT THE MOTLEY FOOL * About Us * Careers * Culture Blog * Research * Press Inquiries * Contact * Advertise OUR SERVICES * Stock Advisor * Rule Breakers * Rule Your Retirement * The Ascent * All Star Money * Millionacres * All Services AROUND THE GLOBE * Fool UK * Fool Australia * Fool Canada * Fool Deutschland FREE TOOLS * CAPS Stock Ratings * Discussion Boards * Calculators OUR AFFILIATES * Motley Fool Asset Management * Motley Fool Wealth Management * Motley Fool Ventures * Lakehouse Capital * 1623 Capital * Terms of Use * Privacy Policy * Accessibility Policy * Copyright, Trademark and Patent Information * Terms and Conditions * Do Not Sell My Personal Information Current Globe with Americas shown Caret Up Caret Down angle-left angle-right chevron-left chevron-right Times Bars Search signal Lightbulb Dollar Alternate Trophy trophy Heart Monitor Heart Rate University University Alternate Headphones Alternate Headphones Apple Facebook F Twitter LinkedIn In YouTube Pinterest Instagram rss chevron-right arrow-left arrow-right Tools flag Check Circle Play Circle Alternate Calendar Clock Envelope Envelope Light User User Tie User Ninja User Crown signal light rocket Lightning Bolt Lightning Bolt Star Star Star Exchange Exchange table table SIM Card Dollar Sign Dollar Sign US Dollar Circle US Dollar Circle Volume Alternate Pencil Question Circle Question Circle Alternate Sign In Sign In Alternate Sign In Search Grid Grid List-UL Comments Thumbs up Cog Sign Out Search City LinkedIn Facebook TikTok Arrows-In Arrows-Out Arrow-Thin-Down Circle-X-Mark