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The world’s second-largest crypto exchange just got its European passport. Bybit, fresh off securing one of the first MiCA licenses from Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA), has flung open the doors to its EU headquarters in Vienna, signaling a tectonic shift in the continent’s crypto landscape.
The landmark approval under Europe’s new Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework grants Bybit unfettered access to all 29 European Economic Area nations, effectively turning its Vienna hub into a springboard for continental dominance. Where rivals scramble to adapt, Bybit just rewrote the playbook.
The newly granted MiCA license allows Bybit EU (registered under commercial number 636180i) to serve nearly half a billion people across the European Economic Area. Under MiCA, companies can offer services seamlessly across borders, eliminating the need for fragmented national approvals.
“Securing the MiCA license in Austria is a testament to our compliance-first approach at Bybit,” said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit.
“We are actively collaborating with regulators and pursuing licenses globally to ensure our users can access our innovative platform with the highest levels of regulatory and compliance assurance.”
As part of this expansion, Bybit has officially set up its European headquarters in Vienna, establishing a physical presence that aligns with MiCA’s requirement for regulated entities to be locally anchored within the EU.
Bybit has committed to hiring over 100 employees in Vienna to support its regulatory-compliant operations. These roles will range from legal and compliance to product development and customer service—all tailored to meet European standards under MiCA.
This job creation supports Austria’s broader ambition to become a global blockchain hub. Bybit’s presence could act as a catalyst for other crypto firms to follow suit and seek their own MiCA license for regional access.
In addition to its commercial strategy, Bybit will continue to roll out its Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA) initiative in Europe. This includes partnering with universities and local institutions to promote blockchain education, research, and real-world applications.
The initiative is designed to show that crypto isn’t just about speculation—it’s about building sustainable, transparent ecosystems under strong regulatory oversight like MiCA provides.
The MiCA license has become the new benchmark for crypto firms looking to scale in Europe. With rules officially in force since early 2025, MiCA aims to harmonize crypto regulation across EU nations—ensuring better consumer protection, financial stability, and reduced illicit activity.
“MiCA is changing the game,” said Patrick Hansen, Director of Strategy at Circle and former EU crypto policy advisor.
The timing of the MiCA license couldn’t be more crucial for Bybit. In February 2025, the exchange suffered one of the largest crypto heists in history, losing $1.5 billion in a high-profile hack.
Since then, Bybit has aggressively rebuilt its infrastructure and liquidity, recovering trading volumes within just 30 days, according to a report by Kaiko. On May 9, German authorities seized $38 million worth of crypto assets from eXch, a laundering platform tied to the breach.
Now, with a MiCA license and a new operational base, Bybit appears firmly back on the offensive.
The MiCA license is more than regulatory paperwork—it’s a passport to the future of European crypto. Bybit’s bold move into Vienna under this framework could inspire a wave of exchanges to seek similar legitimacy, reshaping the competitive landscape of crypto in the EU.
With strong regulatory alignment, local presence, and renewed user confidence, Bybit may have just cemented its role as Europe’s next crypto heavyweight.
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