Bybit receives MiCA license: Crypto revolution starts in Vienna!

Bybit receives MiCA license: Crypto revolution starts in Vienna!

On May 29, 2025, Bybit announced that it had received a MiCA license from the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA). This license allows Bybit to operate as a regulated crypto asset service provider (CASP) in all 29 member states of the European Economic Area (EEA). With this regulatory foundation, Bybit can now serve nearly 500 million Europeans to promote uniform crypto regulation.

Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit, highlighted the successes of the company's compliance approach and cooperation with regulators. He explained that Bybit will now offer localized crypto services specifically tailored to EU regulations. This represents a significant step in the development of the company, which was founded in 2018 and moved its global headquarters from Singapore to Dubai in 2022.

New European headquarters in Vienna

Bybit has officially established its European headquarters in Vienna, Austria. In this new headquarters, the company plans to hire over 100 employees to support its European operations. This move is part of the strategy to strengthen its presence in Europe and ensure that services are locally adapted.

In addition to operational goals, Bybit will also collaborate with universities in the region as part of the Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA) initiative. This cooperation is intended to help promote understanding of blockchain technology among the general public and develop innovative solutions.

Security incidents and regulatory developments

Obtaining the MiCA license follows a massive security incident in February 2025 in which $1.5 billion worth of crypto assets were stolen. The events surrounding this hack cast a shadow over the entire industry. On May 9, 2025, German law enforcement seized 34 million euros ($38 million) in cryptocurrencies from a platform called eXch, which was allegedly used to launder the funds stolen in the Bybit hack.

The MiCA framework is expected to be enforceable from the beginning of 2025 and will force crypto companies to establish regulated locations within the EU. Bybit is the second-largest crypto exchange by trading volume according to CoinMarketCap and, through licensing, is now in a better position to address regulatory challenges and regain user trust.