Ab BTC

Russia sold around 900,000 ounces of gold in early 2026 to address budget deficits.The country’s holdings dropped to 73.9 million ounces, the lowest since February 2022.Moscow Exchange launched indices and futures contracts for XRP, Solana, and others.
Banks and officials in Russia are increasingly looking at alternatives to traditional reserves and payment systems, and XRP is emerging as one of the digital assets under discussion for efficient cross‑border settlement.
On X, analyst Pumpius reported that Russia sold around 900,000 ounces of gold in early 2026 to address budget deficits from sanctions and military spending. This reduced the country’s holdings to 73.9 million ounces, the lowest level since February 2022.
Gold has always been Russia’s financial safety net as a liquid, non‑government‑controlled asset to lean on when global capital markets are off‑limits.
Russia’s Rising Interest in Crypto
At the same time, Moscow Exchange (MOEX) is growing its crypto offerings. For instance, it’s pushing hard into XRP, launching indices and futures contracts for Ripple’s token alongside Solana and others.
Russia hasn’t officially replaced gold reserves with XRP, but there has been a bigger focus lately on blockchain settlement technologies as the country tries to rely less on SWIFT, dollar clearing, and Western banks.
This is mainly due to the fact that Russia is still selling large amounts of oil to China and India, but the problem arises in how to settle the payments. Traditional payment routes that use SWIFT and dollar clearing are still at risk from sanctions and political restrictions.
XRP Ledger’s Role
XRP has become part of that conversation mainly because the XRP Ledger is designed to settle international payments quickly.
Transactions on XRPL typically settle within seconds and at a low cost compared to traditional bank transfers. The blockchain’s main features are the fast consensus model and the ability to process payments efficiently, without the energy‑hungry mining that Bitcoin uses.
Two weeks ago, MOEX added four new crypto indexes for Solana, XRP, TRON, and BNB. They are trading as MOEXSOL, MOEXXRP, MOEXTRX, and MOEXBNB. The exchange launched Bitcoin and Ethereum indexes back in 2025.
All in all, there aren’t any indications or announcements saying that Russia is abandoning gold, but the rising #interest in XRP and the token’s futures contracts could be a good sign for Ripple and XRP’s price.
Related: Russia Finalizes Crypto Bill as Digital Assets Gain Legal Status
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Tether is preparing to launch a Georgian lari-backed stablecoin in collaboration with the Georgian government, marking another step in the company’s global expansion strategy. The initiative aims to strengthen digital payment infrastructure and encourage blockchain innovation within Georgia’s growing fintech ecosystem.
The partnership highlights Georgia’s increasing interest in cryptocurrency adoption and financial technology development. By introducing a stablecoin pegged to the Georgian lari, Tether seeks to provide users and businesses with a more stable digital asset for payments, transfers, and other blockchain-based financial services.
Government officials have expressed support for the project, viewing it as an opportunity to modernize the country’s financial landscape and attract international crypto investment. The stablecoin is expected to enhance accessibility to digital finance while maintaining value stability linked to the national currency.
Tether, known for issuing the USDT stablecoin, continues expanding into emerging markets as demand for localized digital currencies grows worldwide.#VitalikPledgesLeanerEFFewerETHSales #TrumpSaysIranDealLargelyNegotiated #BitcoinBreaksBelow75KAsWarshTakesFedHelm #FenwickWestSettlesFTXFor54M
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ChatGPT Users Can Now Buy Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies Directly Through the App Using MoonPay
OpenAI’s ChatGPT is expanding beyond conversations and AI assistance by integrating cryptocurrency purchasing capabilities directly into the app. Through a partnership with , users can now buy Bitcoin and several other cryptocurrencies without leaving the ChatGPT interface.
This move marks a significant step toward combining artificial intelligence with financial technology, making digital asset access simpler and more convenient for mainstream users.
A New Era of AI-Powered Financial Access
Traditionally, buying cryptocurrency required users to visit separate exchanges, complete identity verification processes, transfer funds, and manage wallets independently. With the new integration, ChatGPT users can perform much of this process directly inside the application.
By working with and , the platform aims to reduce friction for beginners who may find crypto platforms complicated or intimidating.
The integration allows users to:
Purchase Bitcoin and selected cryptocurrencies directly within ChatGPT
Use debit cards, credit cards, bank transfers, or digital payment methods
Access a simplified onboarding process
Complete transactions without switching between multiple apps or websites
The feature is designed to make cryptocurrency purchases more accessible to everyday users, especially those who are new to blockchain technology.
Why MoonPay Was Chosen
is already widely known in the crypto industry for providing payment infrastructure that connects traditional finance with blockchain-based assets. The company supports crypto purchases for numerous wallets, NFT platforms, and decentralized applications.
Its role in the ChatGPT integration includes:
Handling payment processing
Supporting identity verification and compliance
Managing fiat-to-crypto conversion
Providing secure transaction infrastructure
By leveraging MoonPay’s existing system, OpenAI avoids building a cryptocurrency payment network from scratch while ensuring regulatory and security standards are maintained.
What Cryptocurrencies Are Available?
The integration primarily focuses on major cryptocurrencies, including:
Other supported digital assets depending on the user’s region and MoonPay availability
The exact list of supported cryptocurrencies may vary due to local regulations and regional restrictions.
How the Feature Works
Users can access the crypto-buying option through supported ChatGPT interfaces where the MoonPay integration is enabled. After selecting a cryptocurrency, users are guided through:
Choosing the amount to purchase
Selecting a payment method
Completing identity verification if required
Confirming the transaction
Receiving crypto in a compatible wallet
The experience is intended to feel similar to standard online payment systems rather than complex exchange platforms.
Growing Convergence Between AI and Crypto
The partnership reflects a broader trend in technology where artificial intelligence platforms are becoming multifunctional ecosystems instead of standalone chat tools.
AI companies are increasingly integrating services such as:
Payments
Shopping
Financial tools
Productivity systems
Blockchain-based applications
For the crypto industry, the integration offers exposure to ChatGPT’s massive global user base. Millions of users who may never have used a crypto exchange could now encounter digital assets through a familiar AI assistant.
Potential Benefits for Users
The integration could provide several advantages:
Easier Onboarding
New users can buy cryptocurrency without navigating complicated trading platforms.
Improved Accessibility
Users can access crypto tools directly from an app they already use regularly.
Faster Transactions
Integrated payments reduce the need for switching between services.
Educational Opportunities
Since ChatGPT can also explain cryptocurrency concepts, users may learn about blockchain technology while making purchases.
Regulatory and Security Considerations
Despite the convenience, cryptocurrency services remain subject to financial regulations in many countries. Users may still need to complete Know Your Customer (KYC) identity checks and comply with local laws.
Security also remains important. Users are encouraged to:
Use secure wallets
Enable two-factor authentication
Verify transaction details carefully
Understand cryptocurrency volatility before investing
Neither OpenAI nor MoonPay eliminates the financial risks associated with digital assets.
Industry Impact
The integration could have broader implications for both AI and fintech industries.
For AI platforms, it demonstrates how conversational interfaces can become gateways for financial transactions. For cryptocurrency companies, it represents a major opportunity to reach mainstream consumers through AI-powered environments.
Experts believe this type of integration may pave the way for additional features in the future, including:
Crypto portfolio management
AI-assisted trading insights
Blockchain-based payments
Tokenized digital services
Web3 integrations within AI ecosystems
Conclusion
The addition of cryptocurrency purchasing through inside ’s ChatGPT represents an important development in the convergence of AI and digital finance.
By simplifying the crypto buying process, the integration could introduce millions of users to digital assets in a more familiar and user-friendly way. While regulatory and security considerations remain important, the partnership signals a future where AI assistants may evolve into comprehensive digital platforms capable of handling communication, commerce, and financial services all in one place.#VitalikPledgesLeanerEFFewerETHSales #TrumpSaysIranDealLargelyNegotiated #BitcoinRisesOnIranPeaceDeal #BitcoinBreaksBelow75KAsWarshTakesFedHelm #chatgpt