Goldman Sachs and Bitcoin: A Love Story in the Making?

Guess who decided to show up again? Yep, it’s us—The Geral. After a short (okay, maybe long) hiatus, we’re back, refreshed, and laser-focused on the most important thing in the onchain world: builders. Because let’s be real, without builders, all we’ve got is a lot of hype and no substance.

And if you’re a builder and not in the Scout Game yet, we have to ask: what are you even doing? Seriously, all the cool guys are there. Don’t be the person still talking about NFTs in 2021. Join the game where your skills actually matter.

But anyway, that’s not why we’re here.. We’ve got updates, news, and some unsolicited opinions to share. Let’s get into it.

Goldman Sachs Dips a Toe in Crypto (Carefully, of Course) 🏦

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon just hinted that the firm might become a spot market maker for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH)—if the U.S. ever decides to loosen up on crypto regulations. Right now, Goldman can’t hold crypto directly, but they’re clearly keeping one eye on the blockchain party.

Here’s the rundown:

• $718M in Bitcoin ETFs: They can’t hold crypto, but ETFs? Totally fine.

• Tokenization is Hot: They’re working on three blockchain tokenization products because apparently, everything needs to be tokenized now.

• New Blockchain Platform: Goldman launched a spin-off focused on blockchain solutions. Details are vague, but hey, it’s a start.

When asked about crypto’s reputation after FTX, Solomon kept it real:

So yeah, crypto’s not the problem; people are.

Big names like Goldman dipping into tokenization and blockchain tech means more opportunities for onchain projects. So, if you’re building something cool, keep going. The big players are starting to notice.

UAE Bets on Crypto Mining with Sunshine ☀️

In a move that screams “go big or go home,” two UAE companies are teaming up to build the country’s biggest solar farm dedicated to cryptocurrency mining. The project, worth up to $1 billion, was announced at the Bitcoin Mena Conference and promises to combine blockchain with renewable energy in a way that makes both your wallet and the planet happy.

The plan starts small-ish, with a $10 million proof of concept. But if all goes well, they’re aiming to scale quickly and turn the UAE’s endless supply of sunshine into a sustainable foundation for crypto mining. Construction is set to begin in early 2025, assuming regulatory approvals fall into place.

Why solar? Because mining Bitcoin the usual way is like trying to power a small city. It’s no secret that crypto mining is energy-intensive, but with this project, they’re looking to make it a little less guilt-inducing.

This isn’t the UAE’s first solar rodeo. The country already has massive solar farms in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, so they’re well-equipped to pull this off. The goal? To show that crypto doesn’t have to be an environmental villain—it can actually help drive innovation in renewable energy.

For onchain builders, this project highlights how big opportunities can come from unexpected collaborations. Keep building, because the future of blockchain might just be powered by the sun.

Crypto Isn’t Just a Chart Anymore 🚀

Here’s some news to warm your crypto-loving heart: a new global survey from Consensys and YouGov confirms that crypto adoption is on the rise, and it’s not just about mooning coins and bull runs. Turns out, people are actually using and understanding this stuff. Shocking, right?

According to the survey, 93% of people worldwide now know about crypto. That’s almost everyone except your grandma (and maybe her neighbor). Even better, over 50% claim to understand it. Sure, “understand” is doing some heavy lifting there, but hey, progress is progress.

The strongest interest comes from—you guessed it—men aged 25-44. Meanwhile, 42% of participants either own or have invested in digital assets. Nigeria is leading the charge with a whopping 73% ownership rate, followed by other emerging markets like South Africa, the Philippines, and India.
This year’s market performance didn’t just pump wallets; it also pumped awareness. People are no longer just watching charts—they’re engaging. The report shows that stablecoins are especially popular in regions like Asia and Africa, where they’re solving real-world problems like remittances and inflation.

At the same time, skepticism is alive and well in places like Japan and South Korea, where concerns about volatility and scams are holding people back. These barriers to entry are reminders that education and trust-building are still key to unlocking crypto’s full potential.
The survey also highlighted a growing appetite for decentralization. While 82% of respondents distrust big Web2 companies (no surprise there), understanding of Web3 concepts is still patchy. That said, regions like Nigeria and Indonesia are ahead of the curve, seeing decentralization as more than just a buzzword.

However, privacy concerns are a top issue, with 83% of participants demanding more control over their data. Combine that with rising fears about AI and shaky confidence in traditional financial systems (only 47% think they’re effective), and it’s clear why blockchain is seen as a solution. Over half of respondents believe it could help mitigate risks tied to AI while also addressing systemic inefficiencies.

The recent bull run isn’t just inflating prices—it’s inflating adoption. If you’re building, now’s the time to focus on real-world utility. Stablecoins, privacy tools, and decentralized platforms are what people are asking for. Give them what they want, and they’ll be back for more.

What’s new for builders?

We’ve been busy behind the scenes making Scout Game even better, and we’re excited to share what’s new. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just curious about getting started, there’s something here for you.

✨ Starter Packs Are Here!
Getting started in the Scout Game has never been this easy—or this affordable. Now you can scout up to 3 Builder Cards for just 20 Scout Points each. It’s the perfect way to dip your toes in without breaking the bank (or your points).

💻 A Whole New Look
The Scout Game just got a glow-up! Our new UI is live, and it’s sleek, intuitive, and ready for action. Head over to scoutgame.xyz to explore the redesign and see what we’ve been working on. Trust us—it’s worth the click.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a Starter Pack, check out the new UI, and let’s see who you’re scouting next!

Rewards Summary

Last week, the following rewards have been distributed by our partners through the Scout Game:

• 500 $OP for New Scouts

• 7.5k $TALENT for builders with the highest Talent Score

• 400 $OP for contributors to the OP Supersim Repo

• 200 $cUSD for contributors to the Celo Repos

• $250 for a contributor to the Game 7 Repo

• 236,000 $MOXIE for scouts who successfully scouted a builder with a Moxie fan token

If you want to be the next to get some of these rewards, check out our partner page at

Memes of the week 🔥

What would The Geral be without its iconic memes… We didn’t forget it and have made them even better this time.

First of all.. cheers to all of you that identify with the following:

An actual footage of their rizz:

Some of you guys have been asking for dips for weeks now. Hope you’re happy…

That’s a wrap for The Geral #31! See you in two weeks for another deep dive into the world of onchain communities.