The UAE central bank has approved USDU, the country’s first US dollar-backed stablecoin, allowing regulated institutions to use it for digital asset payments and settlement. Issued by Universal Digital and fully backed by US dollars held in local banks, the token operates under strict regulatory oversight.
WeatherlyBybit will launch retail banking services in February, offering users personal IBAN accounts to send, receive, and hold multiple currencies. The service will let customers deposit fiat, pay bills, receive salaries, and trade crypto, in partnership with banks including QNB and Pave Bank.
AnaisOpenAI will remove GPT-4o and several older models from ChatGPT on 13 February 2026, as most users have already moved to GPT-5.2. The company says keeping little-used models no longer makes sense and wants to focus on improving the tools people use every day.
WeatherlyEl Salvador’s central bank bought $50 million of gold, adding 9,298 ounces to bring total holdings to 67,403 ounces, worth about $360 million. The country continues to buy Bitcoin daily, now holding 7,547 BTC valued at around $635 million.
AnaisAbout 72% of licensed crypto exchanges in Indonesia were still losing money in 2025, even though the country now has more than 20 million crypto users. Trading volume fell as many users moved to overseas platforms with lower fees and easier access, leaving local exchanges struggling to compete.
WeatherlyEurope is moving ahead with a digital euro to reduce reliance on foreign payment systems, which are seen as a long-term risk. The ECB plans a pilot in 2027 and full rollout around 2029 to provide a public digital alternative alongside cash and keep banks central to payments.
AnaisThe UK’s Advertising Standards Authority banned a Coinbase ad campaign after finding it suggested cryptocurrency could ease cost-of-living pressures while downplaying investment risks. The ruling covered a two-minute video and three posters that used humour and satire, which the regulator said could mislead inexperienced investors.
WeatherlyCrossCurve confirmed its cross-chain bridge was exploited after a smart contract validation flaw let attackers unlock tokens and drain about $3 million across several networks. The project has told users to stop using the platform while it investigates the breach.
AnaisForgotten Runiverse, a fantasy MMORPG on Ethereum’s Ronin network, is pausing its servers due to financial difficulties, though the team says the project is not ending. All player data will be kept safe as the developers explore options for the game’s future.
WeatherlyRevolut will triple its Singapore workforce over the next three years after already doubling headcount from 2024 to 2025, to support product development and its expansion across Asia. The move is backed by the Singapore Economic Development Board and EDBI, with Singapore set to remain Revolut’s main base for regional operations.
Anais