Bybit Secures EMI Licence, Paving Way for Broader Financial Services

Bybit has secured an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence from Austria's Financial Market Authority, further solidifying its presence in Europe and positioning it to offer a broader range of financial services. The EMI licence allows Bybit to provide payment and electronic money services alongside its existing crypto-asset business.

The company has deliberately separated its European operations into two regulated entities: Bybit EU GmbH, which provides crypto-asset services under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) authorisation; and Bybit Payments GmbH, which will offer payment and electronic money services. This structure reflects a growing trend in the industry, where exchanges are evolving into comprehensive financial platforms.

Bybit's Managing Director, Georg Harer, stated that Europe is creating a regulatory environment where digital assets and traditional financial services can coexist. He noted that the EMI licence is an important milestone in Bybit's long-term commitment to Europe.

The EMI licence will enable Bybit Payments GmbH to build regulated payment capabilities that complement its crypto-asset services, allowing customers to access a range of financial services through the Bybit.eu platform. This move marks another step towards the industry's transition from standalone crypto exchanges to regulated financial institutions capable of combining digital assets with everyday payment services.