Bybit CEO Ben Zhou says UAE VAPO licence marks turning point for institutional crypto adoption

Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit says it is entering a new phase of regulated institutional growth after securing a full UAE Virtual Asset Platform Operator (VAPO) licence and advancing its European regulatory trajectory under MiCAR, according to remarks by co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou at the BIG Series – Bybit Institutional Gala in Dubai.

Speaking to an audience of regulators, banks, and market participants, Zhou positioned the UAE approval as a pivotal step in Bybit’s global institutional strategy, arguing that robust supervision and clearer governance frameworks are becoming decisive factors for large firms allocating to digital assets.

"Bybit's growth this year reflects a market seeking reliability,"

"Asset inflows rose from USD 1.3 billion in Q3 to USD 2.88 billion in Q4, while our wealth management AUM expanded fivefold from USD 40 million to USD 200 million. Institutions want partners who can scale with discipline, transparency, and governance — and Bybit is delivering exactly that."

Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit

Zhou linked the exchange’s regulatory momentum to rapid business growth across multiple institutional-facing segments. He said asset inflows increased from $1.3 billion in Q3 to $2.88 billion in Q4, while Bybit’s wealth management AUM expanded fivefold from $40 million to $200 million, underscoring what he described as rising institutional demand for scale backed by compliance.

"The UAE's VAPO license gives institutions what they have been waiting for — a regulatory environment where innovation is supported by rigorous oversight,"

"It anchors our compliance-first strategy and sets a model for how global digital finance will mature."

Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit

The CEO also pointed to Bybit’s expanding retail ecosystem — including card, Pay, and fiat integration across 13 regions — as a foundation for deeper liquidity and more reliable execution for professional desks. He added that Bybit is accelerating collaboration with major financial institutions across Europe and the Middle East.

Zhou argued that crypto and traditional finance are on course to converge into a unified capital market, shaped by shared infrastructure standards and interoperable liquidity.

"In the next five years, TradFi and crypto will not be two separate worlds,"

"We are moving toward a single, globally connected ecosystem built on institutional-grade liquidity, custody, and infrastructure — and Bybit is building the operational backbone for that future."

Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit

Bybit said the UAE hub will support a full institutional product stack under close regulatory supervision, positioning the exchange to compete for a larger share of institutional flow in 2026 as global standards tighten and licensing becomes more central to counterparty selection.

“Found this interesting? Become a member of LiquidityFinder and get daily industry news direct to your inbox — join here.”