Bybit's Ben Zhou Reveals a New Era in Regulated Finance for Institutions

Bybit's New Era of Regulated Institutional Finance

A Landmark Address by Ben Zhou

At the recent BIG Series – Bybit Institutional Gala held in Dubai, Bybit’s Co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou made headlines with a groundbreaking address that outlined the exchange's strategic shift towards a fully regulated institutional framework. This shift comes in the wake of Bybit securing its full UAE Virtual Asset Platform Operator (VAPO) license, which is set to significantly reshape the company's global standing and set new benchmarks in governance, resilience, and accessible market structures for institutions.

Zhou’s presentation was attended by high-level representatives from global regulators, leading banks, and top market players. He emphasized that this new regulatory framework signifies an urgent demand for operational reliability from institutional investors, who are increasingly gravitating towards firms that can deliver both scale and assurance. Zhou stated, "Bybit's growth this year reflects a market seeking reliability," highlighting the substantial asset inflows which surged from $1.3 billion in Q3 to an impressive $2.88 billion in Q4. Furthermore, the firm's asset under management (AUM) in wealth management saw an extraordinary fivefold increase from $40 million to $200 million.

The Advantages of Regulatory Status

Zhou noted that Bybit's enhanced regulatory position represents a pivotal moment for the broader financial industry. He articulated that the UAE's VAPO license provides institutions with precisely what they have been after—an innovative ecosystem supported by rigorous regulatory oversight. "Our compliance-first approach sets a model for the future of digital finance," he added.

This robust regulatory backdrop allows Bybit to present a comprehensive institutional product lineup from its well-supervised base in the UAE, ensuring that institutional players feel secure and respected in their transactions.

Building on Retail Success

The institutional capabilities of Bybit are deeply rooted in the strength of its expansive retail ecosystem, which now includes card, payment, and fiat integration across 13 regions. This broad acceptance translates into one of the industry’s most profound liquidity pools, which enhances execution benefits for institutional desks. Zhou pointed to increased collaboration with top-tier financial institutions across Europe and the Middle East, reinforcing Bybit’s position as a trusted execution venue for serious market participants.

A Unified Future for TradFi and Crypto

Looking ahead, Zhou shared his visionary outlook for the future of finance, predicting that traditional finance (TradFi) and cryptocurrency will no longer exist as separate entities. Instead, he anticipates a unified capital market characterized by shared standards of infrastructure, streamlined workflows, and fluid liquidity.

"Within the next five years, we will see these two realms converge into a single, interlinked ecosystem driven by institutional-grade liquidity and innovative custody solutions," Zhou asserted. He reiterated that Bybit is diligently constructing the operational framework necessary for this future.

Commitment to a Trusted Ecosystem

In closing, Zhou reinforced Bybit's unwavering dedication to fostering the most trusted environment for institutional trading. This commitment is anchored in transparency, rapid execution, and stringent regulatory adherence. With its broad regulatory base, deepening partnerships, and swiftly increasing liquidity, Bybit is well-prepared to be a foundational element in the global digital asset marketplace as institutional adoption accelerates in the coming year.

As Bybit steps boldly into this new regulatory era, it stands as a testament to what future financial innovation can achieve when woven into a tapestry of compliance and integrity, paving the way for a secure and prosperous digital asset economy.

About Bybit

With a community of over 70 million users, Bybit is recognized as the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. Founded in 2018, its mission has been to redefine transparency within the decentralized landscape, establishing a simpler and fair ecosystem for users worldwide. Bybit continues to focus heavily on Web3 initiatives, partnering with key blockchain protocols to foster robust infrastructures and promote on-chain innovation. As the gateway bridging TradFi and decentralized finance (DeFi), Bybit empowers creators and enthusiasts alike to maximize their potential within the ever-evolving Web3 landscape. Discover more at Bybit.com.