TLDR:
- Bybit becomes first crypto exchange to secure UAE’s full SCA license, enabling regulated services nationwide
- Under the new license, Bybit will offer trading, custody, fiat conversion to retail and institutional clients
- The license follows Bybit’s In-Principle Approval in Feb 2025 with support from Abu Dhabi’s Blockchain Centre
- Bybit plans Abu Dhabi regional hub, 500+ UAE hires, and new Web3 education and innovation programs
Bybit has secured the United Arab Emirates’ first full Virtual Asset Platform Operator License from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). This licensing opens the door for regulated crypto operations across the UAE mainland.
The exchange announced the development via social media, with CEO Ben Zhou calling it a milestone in “building trust through compliance.”
Bybit will now roll out trading, custody, brokerage, and fiat services under the new authorization. Its regional presence will expand, with plans to staff over 500 employees across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Bybit’s UAE SCA License Unlocks Full Crypto Services
Bybit’s newly granted SCA license places it ahead of other exchanges in the UAE’s regulatory landscape. The license empowers the company to provide fully regulated crypto trading, custody, brokerage, and fiat conversion services to both retail and institutional clients.
Earlier in 2025, Bybit received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the SCA. That preliminary approval, obtained in February with assistance from the Blockchain Centre in Abu Dhabi, paved the way for this full authorization.
In a statement, CEO Ben Zhou said the full license “is a testament to Bybit’s commitment to compliance and transparency.” Co-CEO Helen Liu praised the SCA’s clear regulatory framework.
This move positions Bybit to operate across all UAE emirates, beyond Dubai’s jurisdiction under VARA. The SCA license covers mainland operations and allows Bybit to scale its services across the federation.
Expansion Strategy & Broader Regulatory Momentum
Bybit next aims to deepen its UAE footprint with a new regional operations center in Abu Dhabi. The firm plans to employ over 500 staff across compliance, operations, and customer support roles in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Alongside hiring, the company intends to launch educational and Web3 innovation programs in partnership with local institutions. These initiatives will support adoption and regulatory alignment in the region.
This UAE license comes on the heels of other recent regulatory gains. In May 2025, Bybit obtained MiCA approval in Austria to serve the EU market. In September, it resumed full trading in India under local compliance standards.
The full SCA license also gives Bybit an edge over competitors operating only in Dubai’s VARA regime. It enables the exchange to roll out its full product suite across the UAE mainland.
Together, the licensing and expansion plan reflect Bybit’s “compliance-first” strategy in global markets.