Bybit has achieved a landmark regulatory victory by securing the Virtual Asset Platform Operator License from the United Arab Emirates’ Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA), making it the first crypto exchange to receive full licensing under this framework.
What the License Entails
- •The license allows Bybit to offer its full suite of services in the UAE — including trading, brokerage, custody, and fiat conversion — to both retail and institutional users.
- •It follows an earlier In‑Principle Approval (IPA) granted in February 2025. The IPA signaled regulator readiness but did not yet permit full operations.
Why It Matters
- •This marks a major step in the UAE’s push to position itself as a global hub for digital assets and blockchain innovation. Bybit’s full licensing signals both regulatory certainty and confidence in its operations.
- •For local and international crypto users, the license should mean clearer legal protections, more transparent compliance with anti‑money laundering (AML) and countering terrorism financing (CFT) rules, and better alignment with global standards.
What Comes Next
- •Bybit is reportedly expanding its physical and operational footprint in the UAE, including plans for a larger regional center in Abu Dhabi and hiring more staff in compliance, customer support, and operations.
- •The license will also allow Bybit to integrate more fully into the UAE’s regulatory ecosystem — working with local partners, participating in education and innovation programs, and contributing to the development of crypto infrastructure in the country.