Blockchain developers are accusing Google’s BigQuery service of scam-like billing after being hit with charges of over $5,000 per query. The incidents highlight hidden pricing pitfalls, lack of spending controls, and growing distrust among developers relying on cloud analytics.
Shocking Bills Reported
In August 2025, a Solana developer reported more than $18,000 in charges from just three queries. Each query cost over $5,000 due to the way BigQuery processed the dataset. After escalating the case, Google reduced the charges to about $4,000 per query, but the developer called the service a “big scam” and vowed to abandon it.
Other blockchain developers have shared similar stories. One user ran a single query that unintentionally scanned terabytes of data, resulting in a $5,000 bill. While some were refunded, many argue that BigQuery’s design leaves customers exposed to runaway costs.
Why Queries Cost Thousands
The primary issue lies in how BigQuery handles large datasets. If queries do not explicitly use partitions, the platform processes entire datasets—sometimes terabytes in size. This default behavior turns even basic searches into massive, costly scans.
Without proper warnings or hard spending limits, developers face unpredictable charges. One frustrated user summed it up:
“Your function loops and costs thousands? Too bad.”
Calls for Change
The backlash has sparked calls for urgent improvements:
- Spending safeguards: Developers demand enforceable cost caps to stop runaway charges.
- Clearer pricing: Experts stress the need for transparency on how queries process data.
- Blockchain impact: Since blockchain analytics often involves huge datasets, the issue is especially severe for crypto developers.
Some industry experts argue that BigQuery’s structure is simply not suited for blockchain-scale queries without major safeguards in place.
Conclusion
The BigQuery scam billing controversy has eroded trust among blockchain developers, many of whom are shifting to alternative solutions. While Google has issued refunds in select cases, the lack of proactive cost controls remains a serious flaw. For developers working with massive blockchain datasets, BigQuery now looks less like a solution and more like a financial risk.
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