Weekly Crypto Digest
14 April: Grab a moment, here’s your weekly crypto catch-up
UAE Tier-1 banks are now live on blockchain – and the shift is real
A major institutional milestone emerged this week as the CBUAE-approved AED-backed DDSC stablecoin was highlighted as being in full live production, with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) operating on the institutional ADI Chain. The development points to a deeper integration of blockchain infrastructure into regulated banking and payment rails in the UAE. Rather than focusing only on trading venues, the region is increasingly signaling interest in blockchain-powered settlement, treasury, and institutional finance use cases. It’s another sign that the UAE’s digital asset ecosystem is expanding beyond exchange activity into real financial infrastructure
Strategy adds another $1B in bitcoin as corporate treasury conviction stays firmly in focus
Strategy disclosed another major bitcoin purchase this week, adding 13,927 BTC for approximately $1 billion at an average price of about $71,902 per bitcoin. The latest acquisition raises the company’s total holdings to 780,897 BTC, reinforcing its position as the largest public-company corporate bitcoin holder. The move also underscores how treasury-led bitcoin accumulation remains one of the market’s most closely watched institutional themes.
Dubai’s crypto inflows hit $56B as regulated adoption keeps accelerating across the UAE
Fresh Chainalysis-linked reporting indicates that UAE crypto inflows reached approximately $56 billion in 2025, with 33 % year-over-year growth, following an even stronger prior period. The broader picture suggests that regulatory clarity, institutional participation, and stronger infrastructure continue to support the UAE’s expanding role in global crypto markets. It also highlights how crypto activity in the region is increasingly tied to long-term ecosystem development rather than short-term narratives