Bybit has received in-principle approval from the United Arab Emirates’ Securities and Commodities Authority to operate a virtual asset platform, moving closer to obtaining a full operational license. This approval was granted just days before the exchange suffered a $1.4 billion hack, one of the largest crypto hacks in history. The incident occurred during a transfer between Bybit’s cold and hot wallets.

Despite the setback, Bybit continues its global expansion, recently securing regulatory approvals in India, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. In India, Bybit resumed services after registering with authorities and paying a $1 million penalty for previously operating without proper registration. Meanwhile, the exchange is navigating compliance challenges in the European Economic Area (EEA) under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations.

In Europe, Bybit temporarily adjusted operations to comply with MiCA and is working toward obtaining a license in Austria. Additionally, France’s financial regulator recently removed Bybit from its noncompliance list. However, the company continues to face regulatory scrutiny in Malaysia, where authorities have ordered it to cease operations.

Bybit’s expansion efforts highlight its commitment to regulatory compliance and market growth despite challenges. The exchange’s UAE approval positions it to offer a wide range of digital asset services to both retail and institutional investors. However, the massive hack raises concerns about security and operational risks as Bybit navigates global regulations.

Ripple Labs has partnered with BDACS, a South Korean digital asset custodian, to enhance institutional-grade custody services for XRP, RLUSD, and other cryptocurrencies. The collaboration will integrate Ripple Custody into BDACS’s offerings, providing financial institutions in South Korea with secure storage solutions. The initiative aligns with the increasing adoption of crypto assets by enterprises and aims to support the broader institutional ecosystem in the country.

The partnership aligns with South Korea’s Financial Services Commission’s regulatory roadmap, ensuring compliance with local requirements. Ripple stated that the initiative will help expand the usability of RLUSD, Ripple’s stablecoin, while fostering growth in the XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem. BDACS CEO Harry Ryoo emphasized the company’s commitment to providing a secure infrastructure for institutional investors, highlighting the potential impact of this collaboration on the digital asset industry.

As part of its broader strategy, Ripple also announced a new roadmap for institutional decentralized finance (DeFi) on the XRPL network. This roadmap includes plans for a permissioned decentralized exchange (DEX), a credit-based DeFi lending protocol, and a new multi-purpose token (MPT) standard. These developments aim to enhance XRPL’s capabilities and further solidify Ripple’s position in the digital finance space.

Ripple estimates that the total value of custodied cryptocurrencies could reach $16 trillion by 2030. With this vision in mind, the partnership with BDACS represents a significant step in strengthening institutional access to crypto assets. The move also reflects the increasing demand for regulated custody solutions, particularly in regions like South Korea, where institutional participation in digital assets is on the rise.

Nvidia has reported a significant surge in revenue, jumping nearly 80% year-over-year, driven by strong demand for its AI-focused microchips. The company’s earnings for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year 2025 exceeded Wall Street estimates, with total revenue reaching $39.3 billion. This marked a 12% increase from the previous quarter and far surpassed analyst projections of $37.72 billion. CEO Jensen Huang attributed the growth to the rapid advancement of AI technologies, particularly in high-performance computing and machine learning applications.

The data center segment played a crucial role in Nvidia’s revenue increase, accounting for over 90% of total earnings. Revenue from this division rose 93% year-over-year to $35.6 billion, reflecting the growing importance of AI in various industries. Nvidia’s latest Blackwell chip, designed for AI and machine learning, has seen high demand, further solidifying the company’s dominance in the AI hardware market. Huang emphasized that AI is developing at an unprecedented pace, setting the stage for transformative changes across multiple sectors.

Nvidia’s stock price responded positively to the earnings report, closing up 3.67% at $131.28 on February 26. However, after-hours trading saw a slight decline of 1.49% to $129.32. The company’s stock remains below its all-time high of over $147, which was reached in November. Market volatility in the AI sector has been evident, especially after Nvidia experienced a historic single-day value drop in January, shedding nearly $600 billion in market capitalization following concerns over competition from Chinese AI firms.

Amidst Nvidia’s AI-driven success, other tech giants are ramping up their AI investments. Microsoft has expanded its AI operations, while Bitcoin mining companies have begun leveraging their infrastructure for AI computing. Analysts suggest that reduced AI spending could help stabilize inflation, potentially influencing U.S. Federal Reserve policies. As AI adoption accelerates, Nvidia remains at the forefront of the sector, positioning itself as a key player in the ongoing technological revolution.