Ultrahuman, the Bengaluru-based leader in wearable technology, has unveiled its third-generation smart ring, the Ring Pro, marking a significant step in the company’s efforts to reestablish its U.S. presence. With an extended battery life of up to 15 days and a completely redesigned form factor, the Ring Pro arrives as a strategic response following last year’s patent dispute with rival Oura.

New Design And Extended Battery Life

Ring Pro introduces a redesigned form factor alongside a dual-core processor and upgraded heart-rate sensing architecture aimed at improving data accuracy. The device is slightly heavier than its predecessor but offers enhanced on-device computing and the ability to store up to 250 days of health data. Priced at $479, the ring delivers up to 15 days of battery life, a notable increase compared to the four to six days offered by the Ring Air.

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Overcoming Regulatory And Patent Hurdles

Ultrahuman’s U.S. operations faced disruption in October 2025 after the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled in favor of Oura in a patent dispute, restricting imports of new inventory. Existing stock remained available, but the decision pushed the company to redesign the product and reassess its U.S. strategy. The market remains critical for Ultrahuman, with American users accounting for roughly 45% of its 700,000 daily active users.

Introducing Jade: Real-Time Biointelligence

Alongside Ring Pro, Ultrahuman launched Jade, a real-time biointelligence system designed to provide actionable health insights instead of retrospective data summaries. According to co-founder and CEO Mohit Kumar, the system focuses on continuous analysis and real-time recommendations. Jade is available across the company’s ecosystem, including older ring models, reinforcing Ultrahuman’s AI-driven approach to wearable health monitoring.

Robust Financials And Expanding Market Influence

Despite legal and operational challenges, Ultrahuman continues to show strong financial performance. The company reports an annualized revenue run rate of approximately $150 million and operating revenue of $64 million for the fiscal year ending March 2025. Subscription services and additional offerings, including coaching programs and continuous glucose monitoring, continue to diversify revenue streams and support profitability.

Expanding Production And Global Reach

Ultrahuman is expanding production capacity as demand grows across international markets, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and India. Industry analysts note that the future of smart rings will depend on sensor precision, AI integration, and ecosystem connectivity — areas where Ultrahuman is actively investing.

With the launch of Ring Pro and the introduction of Jade, the company is aiming to strengthen its position in the fast-growing wearable technology sector while rebuilding momentum in key global markets.

Massive Layoffs Signal a Strategic Shift

In a major restructuring move, Block has announced a significant workforce reduction as part of a broader effort to realign operations and improve efficiency. CEO Jack Dorsey said the decision reflects a strategic shift toward leaner teams and stronger reliance on artificial intelligence to support long-term growth.

Leveraging AI for Sustainable Growth

Block’s Chief Financial Officer, Amrita Ahuja, stated that the reduction of approximately 4,000 roles is designed to streamline operations and strengthen execution capacity. Management positions the move as a structural adjustment rather than a short-term reaction, with AI tools expected to automate routine processes and help teams focus on higher-value work.

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Industry-Wide Implications

Dorsey noted that similar organizational changes may become increasingly common as companies adapt to rapid technological progress. The restructuring reflects a broader industry conversation about how AI-driven efficiency could reshape workforce models and operational strategies across the tech sector.

A Wake-Up Call for Business Leaders

Block’s decision highlights a growing shift toward smaller, more agile organizations supported by automation and data-driven workflows. As companies reassess cost structures and productivity models, the move illustrates how technological integration is increasingly shaping long-term corporate strategy.

The Central Bank of Cyprus has published its latest statistics detailing deposits and loans for Monetary Institutions as of January 2026, as featured in the report Monetary and Financial Statistics – February 2026. The data underscores notable shifts in the banking sector, calling attention to both declining deposits and evolving loan dynamics.

Decline In Total Deposits

Total deposits recorded a net decrease of €851.2 million in January 2026, a reversal from the net increase of €877.1 million observed in December 2025. The annual rate of change for deposits dipped to 5.3% from 6.5% in the preceding month, positioning the overall deposit balance at €56.9 billion.

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Sector-Specific Deposit Trends

A closer examination reveals that deposits from Cypriot residents fell by €767.7 million. Within this segment, household deposits experienced a marginal uplift of €34.2 million, in stark contrast to non-financial corporations which saw a decline of €469.7 million. Moreover, other domestic sectors collectively posted a reduction of €332.2 million.

Rise In Total Loans

Conversely, overall loan figures climbed with a net increase of €76.4 million, albeit at a more subdued pace compared to the €587.2 million surge reported in December 2025. The annual growth rate for loans adjusted upward to 11.2% from 10.7%, pushing the cumulative loan balance to €26.9 billion.

Detailed Loan Breakdown

Further analysis identifies a €124.2 million increase in loans to Cypriot residents. Loans allocated to non-financial corporations advanced by €22.6 million, while household lending remained unchanged. The remaining domestic sectors contributed an additional €101.5 million to the increase in total loans, marking a differentiated performance across segments.

This comprehensive statistical release by the Central Bank of Cyprus provides an essential framework for understanding the prevailing financial conditions. The insights derived are critical for stakeholders as the nation navigates its economic policies and broader market trends.

Cyprus supermarket representatives say meat imports may be introduced if needed to prevent price pressures following the culling of around 13,000 animals during a recent fever outbreak.

Measured Response To A Health Crisis

Andreas Hatziadamos, Executive Secretary of the Cyprus Supermarkets Association, said the market remains stable for now, but authorities and retailers are prepared to act if supply pressures begin to affect prices. The option of imports is being assessed as a precaution rather than an immediate necessity.

Competitive Market Dynamics And Import Strategy

Mr. Hatziadamos noted that reduced domestic availability of goat meat during the Lent period could place temporary pressure on supply. He added that the competitive nature of the market, combined with the ability to source meat from Greece and neighbouring countries, provides flexibility to prevent sharp price increases.

Outlook On Pricing And Consumer Impact

It remains too early to make firm projections about Easter pricing. Industry representatives say market competition should help limit volatility, while any decisions on imports would be taken gradually and only if needed to protect consumers from excessive price rises.

Consumer Confidence And Industry Projections

Marios Drusiotis, President of the Consumers Association, said no significant shortages are expected. The affected livestock represents roughly 1–1.5% of total national production, suggesting a limited overall impact. Some pressure on lamb availability may emerge as part of the stock is retained for replenishment, though imports could offset any temporary gap. Imported meat may carry a modest premium of around €1–2 per unit.

Haloumi Production And Dairy Sector Considerations

Concerning haloumi production, industry experts do not foresee a rise in prices given that dairy manufacturers maintain robust reserves capable of offsetting any reductions in milk production. However, there is a cautionary note regarding PDO haloumi, as rising demand for goat milk might constrain production capacity.

This strategic blend of import readiness and market vigilance reflects a comprehensive approach aimed at preserving consumer benefits while navigating unforeseen challenges in the food supply chain.

Decisive Year For Strategic Transformation

Alpha Bank has reported net profits of €943.3 million for 2025, capping a period marked by strategic transformation and robust financial execution. As part of this decisive year, the bank announced a €519 million dividend distribution to shareholders, underscoring both immediate financial success and long‐term growth potential.

Executing A Bold Three-Year Plan

CEO Vassilis Psaltis said 2025 marked the completion of the bank’s three-year strategy, during which Alpha Bank met or exceeded key operational and financial targets. The period included acquisitions such as AstroBank, which expanded the bank’s regional presence and supported diversification across business segments.

Strong Financial And Operational Metrics

In the fourth quarter, net interest income reached €413.3 million, up 3% quarter over quarter. On an annual basis, net interest income declined 2%, reflecting lower lending margins despite higher loan volumes. The bank reported a return on tangible equity of 13.1% based on adjusted profit, adjusted earnings per share of €0.36 for the quarter, and a fully loaded CET1 ratio of 15%.

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Accelerated Loan Disbursements And Credit Growth

New loan disbursements in Greece reached €4.2 billion in the fourth quarter, representing a 40% increase from the previous quarter and a 4% rise year over year. Quarterly net credit expansion totaled €1.3 billion, driven mainly by business lending, while annual net credit growth reached €3.5 billion. Management said commercial lending activity remained strong despite elevated repayment levels.

Diversification And Enhanced Revenue Streams

Customer funds increased 11.5% year over year, supported by an 8% rise in deposits, or 4% excluding AstroBank’s contribution. Assets under management also expanded, with equities and mutual funds rising 28% annually. Deposits grew by €4.1 billion, including €2.2 billion linked to the AstroBank acquisition. Net fee income increased 19% and represented 23% of total revenues, reflecting growth in transaction banking and asset management services.

Stable Asset Quality And Forward Outlook

The non-performing exposure ratio stood at 3.6%, while the cost of credit risk was 58 basis points in the fourth quarter. The CET1 ratio remained stable at 15%, supported by organic profitability. Management said the bank expects continued growth opportunities in its core markets and highlighted ongoing cooperation with UniCredit in advisory and investment banking services.

A Future Anchored In Disciplined Execution

Looking ahead, Alpha Bank plans to present updated strategic targets at its Investor Day scheduled for the second quarter of 2026. The bank said it enters 2026 with strengthened capital, expanded regional operations, and a continued focus on disciplined execution and shareholder returns.

ATM Withdrawal Trends

Data from the Central Bank of Cyprus show that cash withdrawals from the country’s 405 ATMs totaled €2.5 billion in the first half of 2025. Although the number of transactions declined compared with the same period in 2024, the average withdrawal increased 28% from €291 to €372, keeping the overall value of cash dispensed relatively stable.

Rapid Digital Payment Adoption

Cash usage continues to decline as digital payments expand. Cyprus remains one of the most advanced markets in the euro area for contactless infrastructure, with more than 70% of ATMs supporting contactless cards, compared with around 34% across the eurozone. Payment card circulation increased 7% year over year to approximately 2 million cards, equivalent to about two cards per resident, reflecting continued growth in electronic payment adoption.

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Consumer Spending Patterns And Card Dominance

Card payments now represent around 75% of transaction volume in Cyprus, placing the country among the most card-intensive markets in the euro area. Cyprus ranks second in payment card usage frequency, behind Portugal.

Debit cards remain the dominant payment method, with consumers significantly more likely to hold debit cards than credit or post-charge alternatives. VISA and Mastercard continue to account for the majority of issued cards. Average in-store card transactions stand at €37, slightly above the euro area average of about €33.

Online Spending Trends

Online transactions show higher average values than physical purchases. The average online payment in Cyprus reached €125, compared with roughly €60 across the euro area.

The data suggest that while cash withdrawals remain substantial, consumer behavior is increasingly shifting toward digital payments, particularly for higher-value online purchases.

Record-Breaking Arrivals And Revenue

Cyprus’ tourism sector reached record levels in 2025, with arrivals exceeding 4.5 million for the first time, according to Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis. Speaking in an interview on February 26, 2026, Koumis said arrivals increased 12.2% compared with 2024 and 41.6% over three years.

Tourism revenue rose 15.3% year over year during the January–November period, while growth over three years reached 51.1%. Average spending per visitor increased to €822 from €799 in 2024, and daily spending rose 7.2% to €99.5.

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The average length of stay declined by 4% to 8.27 days, but overnight stays are projected to reach 18.5 million, up 3.3% from 2024.

Enhanced Product Quality And Strategic Incentives

Tourism contributed 14% to Cyprus’ GDP in 2025, up from 13.1% a year earlier, reinforcing its role as a key economic sector. Officials estimate overall economic growth at 3.75% for 2025, above the eurozone average.

Between 2023 and 2025, tourism revenues totaled €9.9 billion. During the 2022–2025 period, policy focus shifted toward restoring sector performance and upgrading tourism quality through targeted incentive programs.

In 2025, the ministry launched 13 incentive schemes, including four funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, with total funding approaching €20 million. Key measures included:

• 153 projects aimed at supporting rural, mountainous, and remote areas, with budgets of up to €7 million.

• Upgrades to 48 hotels and tourist accommodations, totaling up to €6.9 million in investment.

• €1.3 million allocated to improve dining venues and retail outlets promoting traditional products.

• Seven approved projects in health and wellness tourism worth about €1.2 million

Additional initiatives included digital transformation programs, support for conferences and sporting events, dive certification projects, beach upgrades, and workshops promoting traditional crafts and local products.

Strategic Initiatives And Specialized Tourism

The Ministry of Tourism is updating the National Tourism Strategy 2035 and relaunching the tour guide training program after a seven-year pause. Digital application processes developed with TEPAK aim to improve visitor experience and operational efficiency.

In specialized tourism, authorities completed a three-dimensional mapping of diving sites and conducted a dedicated study on dive tourism. Future research will focus on health tourism, as well as nature and rural tourism.

Agritourism recorded more than 90,000 arrivals in 2025, up 3% year over year and 40.9% over three years. Cruise tourism also expanded, with passenger numbers rising 104% to 278,000 compared with 136,000 in 2024.

Cypriot EU Presidency And Legislative Initiatives

As Cyprus prepares for its EU Council Presidency in 2026, officials expect more than 30,000 conference participants and the organization of around 250 events.

The ministry is preparing policy proposals linked to the European tourism agenda, including Council Conclusions on Tourism planned for May 2026. Legislative initiatives include draft regulations for dive tourism and proposals to modernize licensing rules for food and entertainment venues.

Cyprus has also signed memoranda of understanding with Israel and Saudi Arabia aimed at strengthening tourism cooperation and supporting long-term sector growth.

Eurobank reported net profit of €1.36 billion for 2025, exceeding internal targets and supporting the bank’s three-year expansion strategy focused on organic growth and international diversification. The bank said performance was driven by growth in lending, deposits, and assets under management, alongside contributions from operations outside Greece.

Remarkable 2025 Performance

CEO Fokion Karavias said earnings per share reached €0.37, with roughly half generated by non-Greek operations. The bank reported a tangible return on book value (RoTBV) of 16.0%, exceeding earlier guidance. Management highlighted continued balance-sheet expansion and stable profitability across key business segments.

Robust Financial Indicators And Shareholder Rewards

Eurobank plans to distribute 55% of annual profits to shareholders through a combination of cash dividends and share buybacks. The payout includes a cash dividend of €0.118 per share and a €288 million buyback program, bringing total shareholder distributions to approximately €717 million. Tangible book value per share rose to €2.49 at the end of 2025, up 7.8% year over year.

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Diversification And Geographic Expansion

Eurobank’s impressive performance spans across regions with substantial contributions from its operations: 52.5% of group profitability stems from its south-eastern Europe operations, while key markets such as Cyprus and Bulgaria saw adjusted net profits rise by 1.4% and 8% respectively. Strategic acquisitions, including the integration of Eurolife and consolidation moves in Cyprus, have broadened the bank’s franchise and diversified its revenue streams across banking, insurance, and asset management.

Strong Capital And Prudential Management

The bank reported a total capital adequacy ratio of 20.0% and a CET1 ratio of 15.6% at year-end. The non-performing exposure ratio declined to 2.6%, reflecting ongoing improvements in asset quality. Management said capital strength provides flexibility as interest margins adjust to the broader European Central Bank rate environment.

Strategic Vision: 2026–2028 Roadmap

Looking ahead, Eurobank is gearing up for steady growth in a relatively stable interest rate landscape. The bank targets elevating its RoTBV to approximately 17% by 2028, underpinned by an estimated annual EPS growth of 10%. Key drivers include a projected annual credit expansion of around 8%, further scaling of wealth management operations, and synergies arising from its dominant market position in Cyprus, as well as the prospects linked to euro adoption in Bulgaria.

Community Investment And Social Impact

Strong financial performance has enabled Eurobank to expand its community initiatives. The bank has strengthened demographic support programs, continued backing Greece’s startup incubator EGG, and invested in public school renovation projects in Greece. Similar initiatives are also underway in Bulgaria and Cyprus. These actions reflect the bank’s broader focus on social investment alongside business growth.

Eurobank said it will continue to balance financial performance with long-term investment priorities as it moves forward with its strategic expansion plans.

Strategic Roadmap For Excellence

The Cyprus Fiduciary Association (CYFA) has unveiled an ambitious strategic plan designed to enhance the quality and reliability of administrative services in Cyprus. In a recent briefing, President Costas Christoforou and Director General Christoforos Ioannou detailed new targets that reaffirm the country’s stature as a dependable global business center.

Fostering Compliance And Best Practices

Central to the association’s initiative is the implementation of rigorous compliance protocols and the promotion of best practices throughout the sector. This effort is expected to further solidify Cyprus’s reputation by ensuring that administrative services not only meet, but exceed, international standards.

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Investing In Professional Development

In parallel with structural improvements, CYFA is committing substantial resources to the ongoing education and professional growth of practitioners. This forward-thinking approach is designed to foster innovation and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly complex global market.

Enhanced Media Collaboration And Transparency

Recognizing the critical role of informed public discourse, CYFA underscores the importance of dialogue with the media. President Christoforou highlighted the necessity of objective reporting in conveying the sector’s significant role in bolstering Cyprus’s economic framework. Meanwhile, Director General Ioannou reiterated the association’s unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and transparency, key elements in reinforcing Cyprus’ international credibility as a premier business hub.

Strategic Engagement With European Initiatives

Paphos is poised for international acclaim as a premier destination for religious tourism, driven by the active involvement of ecclesiastical, tourism, and academic institutions. In recent years, these stakeholders have collaborated closely with European programs designed to enhance and promote religious, spiritual, and pilgrimage tourism across the continent. This alignment not only underscores Paphos’s commitment to sustainable development and digitization but also cements its reputation as an innovative and resilient destination.

Building On Established Progress

Local tourism authorities, speaking on behalf of Paphos’s various sectors, have emphasized that the current engagement with European projects is a cornerstone for future growth. Notably, these initiatives aim to develop policies and market offerings that leverage the unique religious and cultural heritage of the region. Among the key efforts is the integration of the Apostle Paul’s trail into the broader cultural framework of the Council of Europe, a testament to Paphos’s ongoing progress and strategic positioning in the international arena.

By capitalizing on years of significant advancements, Paphos is well on track to not only broaden its appeal within Europe but also to secure a lasting legacy as a hub for religious tourism on the global stage.