Bybit Advances European Expansion With Austrian MiFID II License Application

Bybit X GmbH Applies for Investment Firm License to Offer Derivatives in the EU

Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency platform by trading volume, has taken another significant step in its European growth strategy. The company confirmed that Bybit X GmbH, one of its Austrian entities, has formally submitted an application for an investment firm license under Austria’s implementation of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II).

If approved, the license would allow Bybit X to offer regulated derivatives products — including futures and options — to clients across the European Economic Area (EEA). This would Group’s current scope, which is limited to spot crypto services through its MiCAR authorization granted in May 2025 to Bybit EU GmbH.

Building on MiCAR Success

Bybit’s European expansion has accelerated in 2025. Following its MiCAR-compliant license and the July launch of its dedicated platform , the platform has introduced several key features to strengthen its European footprint:

• with up to 10x leverage
• A strategic partnership with Circle to promote USDC adoption in Europe
• The rollout of the Bybit Lite app and Bybit Card program
• An expanding roster of trading pairs to improve engagement

Vienna, where Bybit EU Group is headquartered, has become the hub for its European operations and regulatory strategy. The MiFID II license application through Bybit X signals the group’s intent to go beyond spot trading and deliver a broader, regulated suite of services to institutional and retail clients.

Commitment to Regulatory-First Growth

Mazurka Zheng, Managing Director and CEO of Bybit EU, emphasized the importance of regulatory clarity in driving crypto adoption across Europe:

“Regulatory clarity is the key to establishing Europe as one of the most forward-thinking regions globally when it comes to crypto-assets, and we are proud that with Bybit X, our Bybit EU Group has submitted an investment firm license application to the Austrian Financial Market Authority. This license will allow Bybit EU Group to expand its services in the EU through Bybit X and Bybit EU and will make it possible to offer derivatives such as futures and options on the bybit.eu platform. We view this as a major boost to our presence in the EEA. Our mission is clear: to provide the full range of crypto-focused services to our European users in the securest and most compliant way possible.”

Bybit has positioned itself as a regulatory-first platform, distinguishing its approach from unlicensed global competitors. The application in Austria — a country recognized for its advanced financial markets infrastructure — reflects its ambition to be a leading, compliant provider of in Europe.

Next Steps for Bybit in Europe

Once granted, the MiFID II license would enable Bybit to roll out regulated derivatives trading, reinforcing its status as a full-service crypto hub in the EEA. This development would complement its existing MiCAR framework, which already permits crypto custody, platform, and transfer services, but does not cover investment advice or operating a trading platform for crypto-assets.

Bybit’s dual-track licensing strategy — MiCAR for spot services and MiFID II for derivatives — underscores its long-term vision to establish Europe as a central pillar of its global operations. It also aligns with a broader industry shift toward institutional-grade compliance as regulators tighten oversight of .

Looking Ahead

As Europe moves toward harmonized crypto regulations under MiCAR and traditional financial frameworks under MiFID II, Bybit’s proactive engagement with both regimes gives it an ahead-mover advantage. Should the license be approved, Bybit X GmbH would become one of the first major global platforms authorized to offer derivatives under MiFID II, bolstering both client confidence and market integrity.

This step marks a milestone in Bybit’s strategy to balance innovation with compliance, aiming to deliver growth while securing its place as a regulated leader in Europe’s evolving crypto landscape.