Crypto exchange eyes EU market
Bybit has taken a significant step into the European market by securing a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) licence from Austria’s Financial Market Authority. Bybit gets MiCA licence in Austria. The approval enables Bybit to operate legally under the European Union’s crypto regulatory framework and deliver services across the 29 countries in the European Economic Area.
MiCA, which officially came into force in early 2025, introduces unified standards for crypto companies throughout the EU. It aims to improve consumer protection, reduce risks linked to money laundering, and encourage stability in the growing digital asset sector. With this licence in hand, Bybit EU is now registered under commercial number 636180i and is allowed to function as a regulated crypto asset provider.
Image 1: Bybit Secures MiCAR license in Austria (Source: Bybit Newsletter)
New headquarters and jobs in Vienna
As part of its European expansion, Bybit has set up its regional base in Vienna, Austria. This move is backed by plans to recruit over 100 staff to support its local operations. The company intends to offer services that follow EU-specific rules and suit European users. Bybit Europe’s head, Mazurka Zeng, said the firm is investing in talent and innovation within Austria’s financial landscape and that Vienna is now the official home of the company’s operations on the continent.
Mazurka said:
“Vienna is now the home of Bybit Europe, and we’re proud to contribute to Austria’s forward-looking financial environment by investing in talent and innovation. Beyond this, we are dedicated to fostering a strong local crypto community and, through the Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA), we will extend our resources to work closely with universities across the region, cultivating the next generation of blockchain innovators and exploring impactful real-world applications of the technology”
Alongside building its business presence, Bybit will also work with universities in Europe through its Blockchain for Good Alliance. The initiative is aimed at encouraging blockchain knowledge and promoting positive use cases of the technology within academic and research spaces.
Recovery after major setback
While the licence and expansion mark a new phase, the exchange is also coming off the back of a challenging period. In February 2025, Bybit experienced a massive breach, resulting in the loss of approximately $1.5 billion in assets. The attack was the largest of its kind recorded in the crypto space. Investigations followed, and in May, German authorities seized €34 million (around $38 million) in crypto assets. These funds were linked to an entity believed to have helped launder money stolen during the attack on Bybit.
Despite the incident, the company has continued to push forward. CEO Ben Zhou described the Austrian licence as part of a broader global strategy that puts compliance and regulation at the centre of Bybit’s growth. According to Zhou, the company is committed to working with regulators and setting high standards in how it delivers its services.
Image 2: Bybit (Source: Unsplash)
Active presence at Dutch Blockchain Week
To strengthen its visibility across the European crypto scene, Bybit recently supported Dutch Blockchain Week as a major sponsor. The event, which included side meetings and a central two-day summit, brought together developers, companies, and Web3 communities. Bybit ran an engaging booth at the summit, offering Netherlands-themed merchandise, prize draws, and networking opportunities.
During the event, Meyade Curfs, a senior sales executive at Bybit, spoke about how crypto exchanges can thrive within the EU’s legal structure. He discussed the importance of trust, transparency and growth in the European crypto space. The booth was also positioned next to Chain for Good, which partnered with the Dutch event’s first official hackathon.
Founded in 2018, Bybit has grown to become the second-largest crypto exchange by trading volume. It was initially based in Singapore but moved its global headquarters to Dubai in 2022. The shift to Europe signals another strategic move, as the company seeks to strengthen its position in regions with clearer rules and stronger institutional demand.
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Bybit’s expansion into Europe, backed by its new regulatory approval and the launch of its Vienna office, signals a long-term ambition to be part of a maturing market. The MiCA framework has created opportunities for exchanges willing to align with European standards, and Bybit appears to be positioning itself as a serious player in the region’s regulated digital finance space.
