UAE Awards Bybit the First Virtual Asset Platform Operator License

The new authorization allows Bybit to operate as a fully licensed virtual-asset trading platform across the UAE, under the direct oversight of the federal regulator. It is a significant elevation from the company’s earlier In-Principle Approval, which was announced earlier this year, and now confirms Bybit’s full regulatory compliance and operational readiness to offer services to both retail and institutional users within the country.

Bybit’s Chief Executive Officer and co-founder, Ben Zhou, described the development as a defining step in the company’s long-term strategy. He said, “Receiving the full Virtual Asset Platform Operator License from the SCA is a testament to Bybit’s unwavering commitment to building trust through compliance and transparency. The UAE has emerged as a global leader in digital asset regulation, and this recognition underscores the strength of our security and governance standards. At Bybit, we see regulation as the foundation for sustainable growth. This milestone marks another step forward in our global regulatory roadmap — from MiCAR in Europe to India and now the UAE — as we continue to set new benchmarks for a secure and responsible digital asset ecosystem.”

Helen Liu, Co-CEO of Bybit, emphasized that the milestone reflects the company’s close collaboration with regulators and its commitment to responsible innovation. She said, “We sincerely thank the Securities and Commodities Authority for their trust and support throughout the licensing process. The SCA’s clear, robust, and well-structured regulatory framework provides a strong foundation for global exchanges like Bybit to operate with confidence and clarity. This achievement would not have been possible without the SCA’s forward-thinking approach to fostering innovation and compliance in the digital asset space. We look forward to deepening our collaboration as we bring more resources, products, and expertise to the UAE market.”

According to the statement, the SCA license enables Bybit to provide regulated services including trading, brokerage, custody, and digital-asset management under a framework aligned with international best practices. The approval comes after a detailed review of the company’s systems, governance structures, cybersecurity controls, and compliance mechanisms, demonstrating the regulator’s satisfaction with Bybit’s operational integrity and risk-management standards.

For the UAE, this represents another milestone in its rapidly evolving financial landscape. The country has steadily positioned itself as a leading hub for blockchain and fintech innovation, balancing open-market policies with robust regulatory supervision. The SCA’s decision to grant Bybit the first full virtual-asset platform operator license signals the federal government’s readiness to integrate digital-asset activities into the broader financial system while ensuring investor safety and regulatory accountability.

The statement highlights that the license “reflects the SCA’s progressive approach to enabling the responsible growth of the virtual-asset industry,” setting an example for how regulators and industry participants can collaborate to establish clear compliance pathways. The UAE’s model, combining technical innovation with legal clarity, continues to attract companies from around the world seeking a stable jurisdiction for digital-asset operations.

Zhou emphasized that this approval cements Bybit’s role as a trusted partner in the UAE’s digital-asset journey, noting that the exchange’s expansion aligns closely with the nation’s vision to diversify its economy and promote technological advancement. Bybit intends to continue working closely with regulators and financial institutions to support the UAE’s ambition of becoming a global center for blockchain-based finance.

The press release outlines that the license is not merely a symbolic gesture but a functional authorization that allows Bybit to launch its regulated services to the public. Customers in the UAE will gain access to a compliant trading environment designed to uphold international standards of security, transparency, and investor protection. The company also stated its commitment to maintaining continuous dialogue with the SCA to ensure that evolving products and services remain aligned with regulatory developments.

This milestone follows Bybit’s relocation of its global headquarters to Dubai in 2022, a decision that reflected the company’s confidence in the UAE’s regulatory environment and long-term strategic vision for digital assets. Over the past two years, the UAE has introduced multiple frameworks to govern virtual-asset activities, including licensing regimes through both the SCA and the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). Bybit’s federal license under the SCA complements these regional initiatives by extending coverage across the entire country, beyond free-zone jurisdictions.

The approval also reaffirms the UAE’s approach to encouraging compliance as a pathway to innovation. Bybit’s successful licensing process demonstrates that exchanges can operate transparently within regulatory parameters while still fostering technological progress. The statement notes that the SCA’s collaboration with industry participants has been instrumental in establishing an environment where innovation is balanced with responsible oversight.

For users and investors, the development enhances confidence in the local digital-asset ecosystem. With the SCA’s oversight, Bybit’s operations are now subject to stringent requirements for segregation of client assets, cybersecurity protocols, and regular audits, creating a safer framework for participation in the emerging Web3 economy.

Bybit plans to leverage its licensed status to expand educational initiatives and community engagement programs that promote financial literacy and responsible trading. The exchange expressed its intention to support the UAE’s broader vision of building a diversified, digital-first economy through collaboration with regulators, academia, and technology partners.

The SCA’s decision to award the first VAPO license marks a watershed moment not only for Bybit but for the UAE’s digital-finance ambitions as a whole. It signals a maturing regulatory environment capable of supporting both innovation and protection, while reinforcing the UAE’s position as one of the world’s most forward-looking jurisdictions for blockchain-based finance.