Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, reported significant achievements in 2025, including expanding its user base from 50 million to 80 million. The exchange navigated a challenging environment while enhancing its regulatory compliance and trading capabilities. Despite facing a serious hacking incident in February, Bybit emerged stronger, reinforcing its market position and paving the way for future growth.
Regulatory Advancements and Compliance
In a move to align with global regulations, Bybit’s operations in Vienna secured full compliance with the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation across applicable European Economic Area (EEA) countries in July. This achievement was complemented by obtaining the first Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) Virtual Asset Platform Operator License in the UAE in October, which enables Bybit to offer comprehensive trading, custody, and fiat services throughout the nation. Additionally, Bybit resumed its services in the UK after a two-year absence, now providing spot and peer-to-peer trading options by collaborating with FCA-regulated Archax.
Security remained a critical focus for Bybit, particularly following a major cyberattack in February 2025. The incident, attributed to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, resulted in the theft of approximately $1.4 billion in Ethereum. In response, Bybit implemented a 1:1 reserve guarantee to protect client funds and processed over 350,000 withdrawal requests within the first 12 hours after the attack. The swift recovery actions not only safeguarded the exchange but also strengthened community trust, as evidenced by a surge in Ethereum trading volume, which reached a daily all-time high of $8.5 billion during the summer.
Bybit’s security taskforce took proactive measures post-incident, conducting nine security audits within a month and implementing over 50 security upgrades. The launch of the Lazarus Bounty program invites cybersecurity experts to contribute to the fight against crypto-related cybercrime.
Innovative Trading Strategies and Ecosystem Development
Throughout 2025, Bybit Spot refined its listing strategies, allowing users early access to promising assets before market saturation. Notable successes included a 548% gain for the TRUMP asset and a staggering 2,637% gain for the community-led DeFi project TUNA on their respective first days of trading. Bybit Spot also led in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, incorporating assets like XAUT, which saw a 127% increase, and launching xStocks for on-chain U.S. equity trading.
Bybit’s trading volume remained robust, maintaining its position as the second-largest exchange by monthly trading volume. On December 22, 2025, the exchange recorded a 24-hour spot trading volume of $9.1 billion. The platform also introduced Bybit TradFi, integrating traditional financial products with crypto, including gold, forex, and stock CFDs with up to 500x leverage for eligible users.
Bybit Institutional experienced substantial growth as well, with asset inflows increasing from $1.3 billion in Q3 to $2.88 billion in Q4. The wealth management division saw its assets under management balloon from $40 million to $200 million.
In 2025, Bybit also launched the World Series of Trading (WSOT), boasting a prize pool of $10 million USDT. The event attracted a record 71,765 unique active participants within 24 hours, earning Bybit a Guinness World Record. WSOT 2025 generated a staggering $172.8 billion in total trading volume across nearly 1,500 squads.
Bybit’s commitment to community development was underscored by pledging 300,000 USDT to blockchain education through the Bybit Rising Fund, which supports local scholarships and training initiatives.
As 2025 concluded, Bybit celebrated its growth and resilience, firmly positioning itself for the future with over 80 million users by year-end. The exchange’s strategic initiatives and dedication to security and innovation continue to set new benchmarks in the cryptocurrency industry.
