Great post @liotap and find re Circle's info memo. GS appears to have jumped in with both feet and obvious is that this acquisition further supports we have thought, that Wall Street has been playing both sides of the crypto "trade", just like the old days of OTC stocks or more akin to the Junk Bonds back in the 80's to mid-90's (I have noted this on other posts). They slam the asset class they want to become active, and buy on triggered corrections, dips forming their strategic positions. Then they formally support the asset class through M&A, cap markets, market making (legitimacy/liquidity), research/analysis (recommendations) and long term investors (individuals/ investor funds). With this purchase, GS is clearly supporting and indirectly involved. This is another step closer towards greater legitimacy and acceptability. Lets now see how the others will counter to GS.

One day before this announcement, on Jan 25th, Goldman's Senior Strategist for Global Investment Research released a video about the Bitcoin "bubble". Again showing how they play both sides of the trade.

https://www.facebook.com/goldmansachs/videos/10155852419177247/

I self upvoted to push up my comment higher for your thoughts.