I guess this means the hype has finally peaked? This seems like a late, reluctant adoption and a nail in the coffin for the tech (honestly, good riddance -- Merkle trees have their uses but sheesh).
Why would this be a nail in the coffin? Google moving into a new space, though usually unsuccessful, hasn't signaled the end of the space itself has it?
I don't think it's signalling the end of the space, just the end of the hype train.
I think at best we'll see the space shrink back to reflect the value it brings to the market.
Personally my bet is that it brings negative value for most of the use-cases it's being sold for and that the contraction will be large but... completely gone? I doubt it.