Bybit’s CEO met with the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and members of the House of Lords this week, a direct invitation aimed at attracting global crypto exchanges as the country finalizes its digital asset rulebook.
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Bybit CEO Meets With 2 UK Regulators to Discuss Crypto Framework
(P1) The CEO of Bybit, the world’s second-largest crypto exchange by volume, met with officials from two UK regulatory and legislative bodies in London this week to discuss the country’s approach to crypto regulation, including a new framework for stablecoins and tokenized payments set to roll out by 2027.
(P2) "They are very eager to invite big business to establish bases and create jobs," Bybit CEO Ben Zhou said in an interview, confirming the invitation included meetings with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and representatives from the House of Lords.
(P3) The discussions occurred during UK Fintech Week, just as HM Treasury unveiled a sweeping regulatory package designed to integrate stablecoins and tokenized deposits into the same framework as traditional payments. The government plans to open consultations on the new rules, with firms able to apply for authorization starting in September 2026 ahead of a full rollout in 2027.
(P4) The outreach to Bybit signals a strategic push by the UK to capture a larger share of the global crypto market and its associated capital, directly competing with hubs like Dubai, where Bybit is headquartered. For exchanges, the move provides a path to enter a major G7 market with clearer regulatory guardrails after years of uncertainty.
UK Builds a Regulatory On-Ramp
The UK's initiative aims to create a single, coherent framework for all payment types, reducing fragmentation between traditional finance and digital assets. City Minister Lucy Rigby described the plan as a step toward a "payments ecosystem that is secure, competitive and fully equipped to harness the opportunities created by rapid technological change."
This contrasts with the country's previous stance, which the industry often described as restrictive. The FCA’s current framework has been criticized for creating a backlog of registrations and pushing firms toward more crypto-friendly jurisdictions in the EU, which is implementing its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, and the UAE. Zhou noted the "outflow of money and companies going to the UAE," adding the UK government "wants to win it back."
Bybit's Global Footprint
The invitation highlights Bybit's growing influence as a top-tier global exchange. The firm, which serves over 80 million users, has been expanding aggressively. It recently launched fiat-to-PLN trading pairs in Poland to strengthen its European presence under MiCA and led an $8 million funding round for a licensed Malaysian exchange.
Separately, Bybit is in discussions with Coinbase to explore the tokenization and global distribution of US public and pre-IPO stocks, according to people familiar with the matter. The exchange also recently launched Premier Loans, an institutional-grade lending product with credit facilities starting at 300,000 USDT, further cementing its role as a sophisticated financial infrastructure provider.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
[1] UK Treasury to integrate stablecoins into payments framework[2] UK Sets Path to Crypto Regulation With FCA Consultation[3] UK Treasury Unveils Unified Payments Framework Covering Stablecoins and Tokenized Deposits[4] Nigel Farage Just Revealed a £215,000 Bitcoin Stake And the FCA Is Already Asking Questions[5] UK to overhaul payments rule to push stablecoins into mainstream finance[6] UK invites crypto giant Bybit to London to win over some of UAE’s innovation shine[7] Bybit EU enhances accessibility and seamless trading experiences for Polish users[8] Coinbase Holds Talks With Bybit on Onchain U.S. Stocks and Custody Plans[9] Bybit leads $8M funding round for Malaysian crypto exchange Hata[10] Bybit Introduces Premier Loans, Democratizing Enterprise-Grade Capital Solutions
