Bybit Secures Spot Trading Licence in Dubai, Eyes Derivatives Expansion
Bybit gains regulatory approval for spot trading in Dubai while seeking further permissions for derivatives trading.
Bybit gains regulatory approval for spot trading in Dubai while seeking further permissions for derivatives trading. This is an original TLT brief based on reporting by Crypto.news, with live market data added, as of Thu, 22 Oct 2026 13:45:02 UTC.
This development highlights the growing trend of crypto exchanges seeking regulated operations in key global financial hubs, with Dubai emerging as a significant destination for crypto businesses. The move could position Bybit to capture market share in the region while demonstrating the city's commitment to becoming a crypto hub.
- Bybit receives Dubai VARA licence for spot trading operations.
- Derivatives trading requires separate regulatory approval.
- Dubai's VARA continues to attract crypto firms with its regulatory framework.
Bybit, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has obtained a licence from Dubai's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) to operate spot trading services in the region. This development comes as part of the exchange's strategic expansion into regulated markets.
The VARA licence allows Bybit to offer spot trading services to users in Dubai, but the exchange will need to secure additional approvals for derivatives trading. This distinction is important as derivatives are a significant part of Bybit's business model.
The news is corroborated by multiple outlets, with Crypto.news and Crypto Daily both reporting the spot trading licence acquisition. However, Crypto Daily provides additional context by highlighting that Revolut's Gibraltar subsidiary has also received a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) licence, indicating a broader trend of regulatory approvals in the crypto industry.
Dubai has been actively positioning itself as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction, with VARA implementing a comprehensive regulatory framework to attract crypto businesses. This approach contrasts with more stringent regulatory environments in other regions, making Dubai an attractive destination for crypto exchanges.
The broader crypto market remains in a state of flux, with the total market cap at $2.8 trillion and 
Bitcoin experiencing a 2.23% decline over the past 24 hours. The Fear & Greed Index currently stands at 68, indicating a 'Greed' sentiment among investors.
Figures and sectors in this story, checked live against on-chain aggregators · October 22, 2026.
TLT reads these figures directly from on-chain aggregators (DeFiLlama, mempool.space) at build time — independent of what any outlet reported. Sector totals aggregate every protocol DeFiLlama tracks in that category. Values are live and will change.
Bybit Secures Spot Trading Licence in Dubai, Eyes Derivative — questions & answers
What regulatory approvals does Bybit currently hold in Dubai?
Bybit has secured a VARA licence for spot trading but needs additional approval for derivatives trading.
How does Dubai's regulatory approach compare to other regions?
Dubai's VARA has implemented a crypto-friendly framework to attract businesses, contrasting with stricter approaches in other regions.
What other crypto companies are seeking regulatory approvals?
Revolut's Gibraltar subsidiary has received a DLT licence for virtual asset services, indicating broader regulatory engagement.
Which outlets reported this story?
This is an original TLT brief that synthesises reporting from Crypto.news. It is not a copy of any one article — follow the source links above for the original reporting.
Original summary — not financial advice. This is an original TLT brief that summarises a development reported elsewhere and adds live market data for context; it is not the original article and reproduces no part of it. Follow the source link above for full details. Crypto is volatile and high-risk — always do your own research.