Bybit Secures Approval from Austria's FMA Under MiCA Framework

Bybit's acquisition of a MiCA license enables it to operate as a regulated crypto asset service provider across the European Economic Area, enhancing its market presence and compliance efforts.

Summary

Bybit has officially obtained a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) license from Austria's Financial Market Authority (FMA), allowing the exchange to operate as a regulated crypto asset service provider across all 30 European Economic Area member states. The exchange has established its European headquarters in Vienna and plans to hire over 100 employees in Austria to enhance localized services. CEO Ben Zhou emphasized that this move reflects Bybit's 'compliance-first' strategy, which aims to strengthen consumer protection and promote collaboration with EU regulators. This expansion follows a significant security breach in February 2025, resulting in a loss of $1.4 billion in assets.

Terms & Concepts
  • MiCA: The Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation aims to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets within the European Union.
  • FMA: The Financial Market Authority (FMA) is Austria's financial regulatory body responsible for overseeing financial markets and ensuring compliance.