SWD debug stays alive even with the independent watchdog enabled, which saves time during firmware bring-up.
The 48 MHz core delivers about 44 DMIPS, which is sufficient for sensor fusion, CANopen node processing, or a USB CDC/ACM virtual COM port without choking. The 128 KB Flash can hold a FreeRTOS kernel, a USB stack, and a CANopen stack with room left for application code. The 16 KB SRAM handles a couple of moderate-sized buffers — enough for a 1 KB USB endpoint pair plus a CAN message queue. If your application needs more RAM for frame buffering or a larger heap, you'll want to step up to the STM32F072 with 32 KB SRAM (STM32F072VB), but for most control and gateway tasks this part keeps the BOM lean.
USB + CAN on a single 48-pin QFN — board-space saver
Having both USB 2.0 full-speed device and CAN 2.0B on the same 48-pin package eliminates a second MCU or an external USB-to-CAN bridge in dual-interface designs. The 37 GPIOs leave enough pins for a few sensors, an SPI flash, and an I²C display while still routing the USB DP/DM and CAN TX/RX pairs. The pad also serves as a low-inductance ground return for the USB transceiver, which helps with signal integrity on the DP/DM lines.
ST lists the STM32F072CBU7 as Active. That means no last-time-buy notice is in effect, and the part continues to be manufactured and supported through ST's distribution channel.