Google Ramps Up Web3 Strategy With Node Management Offering

In a move that intensifies its commitment to web3, Google’s cloud division is launching node management services for Ethereum validators on Oct. 28, the company said.

Google’s Blockchain Node Engine unit offers a node management service designed to “help web3 developers build and deploy new products on blockchain-based platforms.”

“Ethereum will be the first blockchain supported by Blockchain Node Engine, enabling developers to provision fully managed Ethereum nodes with secure blockchain access,” the company said.

PoS Validators

Blockchain networks are composed of many nodes that validate transactions and store a historical record of all transactions completed on a network. While miners used to operate Ethereum’s nodes under Proof of Stake consensus, PoS validators now manage the network’s nodes and reduce the barriers to becoming a node operator.

Under Google’s plan, node operators may launch a new node in a single operation. Nodes can also be placed behind Virtual Private Cloud firewalls for greater security, allowing only whitelisted machines and users to communicate with a node’s endpoints.

“Web3 companies who require dedicated nodes can relay transactions, deploy smart contracts, and read or write blockchain data with the reliability, performance, and security they expect from Google Cloud compute and network infrastructure,” Google said.

Google has been making serious moves to enter the web3 sector this year.

In January, Google Cloud launched a dedicated digital assets team. Google said the team would be tasked with launching node hosting services as well as participating in node validation and on-chain governance “with select partners.”

Partnership

Google Cloud followed up by launching a dedicated web3 team led by former Citigroup executive, James Tromans, in May.

On Oct. 11, Google Cloud announced a long-term strategic partnership with the top U.S. centralized exchange, Coinbase.

Coinbase will build an advanced data platform on Google Cloud per the deal, while Google Cloud will leverage Coinbase Commerce to allow customers to pay for cloud services using cryptocurrencies. Google will also access Coinbase Prime for institutional crypto services including custody and reporting.