Welcome back to The Geral, where the block never stops and neither do the headlines. This week, banks are minting stablecoins like it’s DeFi summer, Google is validating your favorite chain (literally), and anime just got itself a wallet. Oh, and Scout Game? Still gearing up for launch on April 21st, and let’s just say… things are about to get beautifully chaotic. You’ve still got time to stack points before the floodgates open.

TradFi Just Got Tokenized.. And There’s No Going Back

The first-ever bank-issued, regulator-approved stablecoin just hit Ethereum. Yes, Ethereum. Yes, an actual U.S. bank. No, this is not a testnet.

Custodia Bank and Vantage Bank pulled off what legacy finance has been sweating over for years: the successful issuance, transfer, and redemption of tokenized U.S. dollar deposits, on a permissionless blockchain, using the ERC-20 standard.

The stablecoin is called Avit, which sounds like a vitamin but works like a dollar. Except now it’s programmable, auditable, self-custody friendly, and legally wrapped in enough compliance red tape to make a Fed auditor tear up with joy. Minted on Ethereum. Managed by Custodia. Fiat held by Vantage. Everything blessed by the regulatory overlords.

And this isn’t a “sandbox” experiment or a shadowy test. A real business moved real money, outside the banking system, then redeemed it like nothing happened. Fedwire and ACH were involved. OFAC and BSA boxes were checked. Somewhere, a JPMorgan exec is probably refreshing his dashboard with mixed feelings. This isn’t just a one-off token launch. This is the first stone thrown through the stained-glass window of traditional banking infrastructure. The dollar just went programmable.. and the permissionless blockchain just got a handshake from the institutions who said it could never happen.

We’re watching the great merger of two worlds. And if you blink, you’ll miss TradFi getting flipped inside out, one stablecoin at a time.

First US Bank-Issued Stablecoin on Permissionless Blockchain Goes Live – Featured Bitcoin News

U.S. banks completed a first-of-its-kind stablecoin trial, tokenizing dollar deposits on Ethereum to enable auditable, programmable payments fully compliant with federal regulations.

news.bitcoin.com/first-us-bank-issued-stablecoin-on-permissionless-blockchain-goes-live

Hong Kong Says “Yes” to Staking. But Only If You Read the Fine Print

Hong Kong’s SFC just gave the green light to staking but not without bringing a clipboard and a whistle to the party. In a move that says “We support web3, but we’re still watching you,” the Securities and Futures Commission announced new guidelines that let crypto exchanges and authorized funds offer staking services… as long as they follow the rules. All of them. In triplicate.

Here’s the vibe: staking is no longer a grey-zone side hustle. It’s a regulated offering now, complete with custody requirements, risk disclosures, minimum lock-ups, and SFC reporting duties. If you thought DeFi was going to sneak in the backdoor, surprise! There’s a bouncer. And he brought a filing cabinet.

But this isn’t just a compliance flex. It’s a signal. Hong Kong isn’t trying to copy-paste Web3 chaos, it wants to build a sustainable ecosystem, one regulation at a time. Meanwhile, SFC’s Christina Choi is out here giving keynote speeches about NFTs as cautionary tales, pragmatic regulation as the new alpha, and how Hong Kong’s not chasing hype, it’s building long-term infrastructure. The message is clear: “You can innovate, but don’t get weird.”

So while the U.S. fumbles around with lawsuits and Europe drafts 300-page PDFs, Hong Kong is just… launching actual policy. With a roadmap. And timelines. And functioning communication.

Hong Kong introduces crypto staking rules, reaffirms Web3 commitment

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission issued new rules for crypto exchanges and funds offering staking, aiming to balance market growth with robust regulatory oversight.

cointelegraph.com/news/hong-kong-regulator-introduces-crypto-staking-rules-reaffirms-web3-commitment

The Weebs Are Going Onchain (And There’s No Escape)

Sony’s new blockchain, Soneium, just teamed up with Animoca Brands to bring anime into Web3. It all starts with something called Anime ID, a fancy way of saying “one onchain identity to show the world how deep your fandom goes.” No more juggling wallets, logins, and secret alt accounts. Just one anime-flavored passport for the entire decentralized internet.

The first big event? An Anime Art Festival, kicking off with Solo Leveling and hosted by something called San FranTokyo, which sounds like a startup and an anime convention had a baby. Expect digital collectibles, community flexing, and probably a leaderboard for who cries hardest at Studio Ghibli films.

Behind the scenes, Moca Network’s AIR SDK is doing the magic, letting devs bake in reputation, identity, and other nerdy stuff into apps on the Soneium chain.

But not everything’s sunshine and petals. When Soneium launched its mainnet, some memecoins got yeeted into oblivion and crypto Twitter had a small meltdown. Still, that hasn’t stopped the anime x crypto mashup from going full speed, especially with Ghibli-style tokens popping up like it’s mint season in 2017.

Let’s be real: anime and crypto might not boost your dating life (they ranked #2 and #3 on the “most undateable hobbies” list, seriously), but they just got married onchain. Forever. No divorce button.

Sony’s Soneium blockchain, Animoca Brands bring anime to Web3

Anime-themed experiences will come to the Soneium blockchain through a collaboration between Animoca Brands.

cointelegraph.com/news/sony-soneium-blockchain-animoca-brands-anime-web3

🧑‍💻 What’s new for developers?

Two big drops this week. And we’re not talking memecoins or broken promises.

First up: Scout Game now has a secondary market. That’s right, you can now list Developer Cards directly from your profile, slap a USDC price on them, and let the open market do its thing. And the best is that buyers don’t even need to think. The game automatically gives them the cheapest card available, whether it’s from your resale listing or the dev’s original drop. Capitalism, but convenient.

There’s no flashy marketplace tab. No OpenSea clones. The listings are baked straight into the core gameplay. You’re trading while collecting. Buying while scouting. Flipping while pretending you’re in it for the community.

Second: New game mode just dropped.
We call it the Weekly Matchup, but you can call it your new addiction. It’s live, it’s competitive, and it’s how you prove your dev picks weren’t just vibes.

So yeah.. Scout Game’s growing up fast. Get in, stack points, sell smart, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll retire off someone else’s GitHub activity.

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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.

Goldman Sachs eyeing crypto market-making for Bitcoin, Ethereum if US regulations shift

David Solomon acknowledged crypto as an interesting technology during the Reuters Next event, says there are no reputational risks in them.

cryptoslate.com/goldman-sachs-eyeing-crypto-market-making-for-bitcoin-ethereum-if-us-regulations-shift

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.

Bitcoin Mena: Abu Dhabi to host UAE's biggest solar farm dedicated to crypto mining worth $1bn | The National

Local companies Hearst and Gigatons aim to provide up to 100MW of power

www.thenationalnews.com/future/technology/2024/12/10/bitcoin-crypto-uae

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.

Global crypto awareness hits 93% as trust in traditional finance falters

Distrust in Web2 giants drives interest in cryptocurrency, decentralization and personal data ownership.

cryptoslate.com/global-crypto-awareness-hits-93-as-trust-in-traditional-finance-falters

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

Scout. Build. Win.

Fantasy sports for onchain builders

scoutgame.xyz/info/partner-rewards

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.