Bybit Secures MiCA License After Gaining Approval from Austrian FMA

Highlights:

• Bybit has opened a European office in Vienna after approval to offer crypto services under MiCA rules.
• Bybit has secured a MiCA license and will expand its services across all countries in the European Economic Area.
• The MiCA rules aim to bring uniform standards to firms offering digital financial services across Europe.

Bybit, a crypto exchange based in Dubai, has moved to strengthen its position in Europe by setting up its regional base in Vienna, Austria. The FMA in Austria approved the firm to operate under the framework set by the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. This development enables Bybit to offer services across all 29 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). Under the MiCA rules, many digital asset firms have picked Austria as their location, including the popular trading platform Bitpanda.

🇦🇹 TODAY: Bybit granted MiCA license by Austria’s FMA, becoming one of the first major exchanges to comply with the EU’s new crypto regulation.🔥🔥🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/XQfO8LIrIA

— Web3 (@liuhuim13650999) May 29, 2025

Bybit can offer digital asset services to more than 500 million people across the region. The MiCA rules, which became active at the beginning of 2025, aim to bring uniform standards to firms offering digital financial services across Europe. These rules guide how crypto platforms must serve clients while ensuring clear operational practices across member countries.

Founded in 2018 by Ben Zhou, Bybit originally operated out of Singapore. In 2022, the exchange relocated its headquarters to Dubai. According to its latest report, the company surpassed 70 million registered users on the platform. In addition, its card has over 2 million users.

Bybit Secures MiCA License As it Continues to Expand Across EU

Bybit has confirmed that it received its MiCA license from the Austrian FMA. As a result, the company can now provide its crypto-related services to customers across the EEA through this new European hub. After the introduction of MiCA rules, many companies decided to establish their main operations in a single nation.

Ben Zhou, the co-founder and CEO of Bybit, said the license shows the company’s focus on compliance and operational excellence. He explained that Bybit continues to work with authorities in various countries so users can benefit from services that meet the highest standards. Mazurka Zeng, CEO of Bybit Europe, announced that the company plans to hire more than 100 new workers in Vienna. These hires will support the delivery of services tailored to European users and aligned with local requirements.

In addition to business expansion, Bybit also plans to work with academic institutions in the region. The company uses its Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA) to engage in research and cultivate new talent. The initiative is working with universities to test how blockchain works in real-world settings.

Security Incident Casts Shadow Ahead of European Expansion

Earlier this year, Bybit became the victim of a large cyberattack that led to the loss of digital assets worth more than $1.5 billion. German authorities later seized €34 million from the eXch platform. Officials have linked the fund transfers from this platform to the money stolen in the Bybit attack.

Despite the incident, the company’s progress in Europe continues. The license approval from Austria follows efforts to strengthen its presence in key markets while ensuring that operations meet local expectations. Meanwhile, the company recently received in-principle approval from the UAE, which brings it closer to a full operative license as a Virtual Asset Platform Operator.