Launched on March 21, 2006, by Google, Google Finance is a free online service that offers access to a wide range of financial information for stocks, mutual funds, cryptocurrencies, and market indices from around the world. Its mission is to make financial data universally accessible and useful. The platform aggregates financial news from various media outlets, provides powerful charting tools, and allows users to create and track personalized portfolios. It is not a brokerage or trading platform but rather an information and research tool for investors and individuals interested in financial markets.