Don't forget that hash rate being deployed now was likely ordered in Q1 18 or in the bubble. [...]
Google trends for Bitcoin looks pretty poor right now.
Exactly, Hashrate looks to be a lagging indicator due to equipment production time, with miners banking on future increases in price since they've already missed the last run up.
I would argue that Google trends is also a lagging indicator, albeit on a much shorter time frame. Price has to increase first before interest is stoked enough to spur
newcomers to search for bitcoin. There is less need for already indoctrinated bitcoiners to search, they already know where they want to go to buy/research/etc.
I would further argue that price is a lagging indicator of fundamental analysis and good news. Whereas FUD is a nearly instantaneous indicator of price decreases, good news takes a while to build enough confidence to trigger buying much less FOMO.
Going back to google trends, the more people already know about bitcoin, the less impact it will have on search engines. MSM has replaced a lot of the need to google, now that CNBC etc have a price ticker and reporting.
You don't see the stock markets responding that much to google trends even in times of wild volatility. Bitcoin still drawing more searches than key stock market terms.
In fact, stock market search spikes on google trends seem inversely correlated to price - they represent major sell offs! Careful what you wish for.
edit:
Meanwhile, on Wall St:
‘Beware’: Jamie Dimon and Warren Buffett Double Down as Bitcoin CriticsClassic.
Jamie
"Do What I Say Not What I Do" Dimon, as JP Morgan continues to formulate crypto strategies.
Warren
"I only invest in what I understand" Buffet, who quite possibly just learned about Apple and maybe even the Internet sometime last year.