Tech giant Google has dipped its toes into the ever-churning waters of Web3 with the launch of its new Web3 portal. This platform aims to be a one-stop shop for blockchain developers, offering resources like datasets and tutorials for creating non-fungible tokens (NFTs). However, the crypto crowd isn't exactly rolling out the red carpet.

The biggest gripe? A glaring omission – a lack of native support for Bitcoin and its speedy payment system, the Lightning Network. Crypto veterans like Phil Geiger, vice president of product marketing at Unchained, voiced their disappointment, calling it an "oversight to ignore the most important cryptocurrency."

The sentiment echoed across social media, with pseudonymous crypto trader MartyParty tweeting, "Not impressed. Google is way behind."

But not everyone's feeling left out in the cold. Founders like Ivaibi Festo of Mitroplus Labs welcomed the launch, praising the platform's comprehensiveness.

Looking beyond the initial grumbles, the Web3 portal does offer some enticing features for developers. Think of it as a developer playground – access to various Google products, testnet tokens for deploying applications on Ethereum testnets, and even a learning program with tutorials on the hottest Web3 trends: NFTs, loyalty programs, and securing digital assets.

This isn't Google's first foray into the world of blockchain. They've been making steady moves, recently allowing users to search wallet balances across multiple blockchains and even updating their advertising policies to permit crypto-related ads.

It seems Google's been prepping for this Web3 plunge for a while. Last year, they integrated their BigQuery data warehouse with a blockchain project, opening the door for Web3 projects to leverage Google's powerful data analytics and AI tools.

They've also shown they're serious about protecting users in the crypto space. Earlier this month, Google filed a lawsuit against individuals accused of using the Google Play store to dupe users into fake crypto investments. This move sends a clear message that Google is committed to combating bad actors in the crypto space.

So, is Google a Web3 champion or just late to the party? The jury's still out. But one thing's for sure – with this new portal, Google has officially thrown its hat into the Web3 ring, and the crypto community is watching with a mix of skepticism and cautious optimism.