KAREN JOY BACUDO
Finance Editor
Bybit has been included in the inaugural Fortune Crypto 100, which ranks companies and protocols seen as influential in digital assets.
Fortune placed Bybit in its CeFi category, which covers crypto-focused businesses such as exchanges, lenders, and custodians involved in trading, custody, and the movement of digital assets.
The list combines crypto-native groups and established financial institutions, underscoring the growing role of digital assets in global finance and blockchain-based market infrastructure.
Bybit said the recognition came as it expanded beyond cryptocurrency exchange services. It has been developing a platform that combines digital assets, traditional finance, payments, tokenised investments, artificial intelligence tools and Web3 services.
Recent product moves include tokenised asset offerings, the launch of Bybit IPO Express, broader access to tokenised equities through xStocks, and AI-based trading and research tools.
Bybit said it now serves more than 80 million users worldwide. It also highlighted efforts to expand its regulated footprint in several markets, including securing a Virtual Asset Platform Operator licence in the UAE and advancing European operations under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation framework.
Regulation has become a central issue for cryptocurrency businesses as digital assets move further into mainstream finance. For exchanges in particular, licensing, market supervision and consumer protection standards have become more important as policymakers work to set clearer rules for the sector.
Ben Zhou, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bybit, linked the ranking to broader market changes.
“This recognition reflects the trust our users place in us, the dedication of our team, and the progress our industry has made over the years,” Zhou said.
He said digital assets were becoming more embedded in the wider financial system.
“Crypto is becoming an integral part of the global financial system. We are honored to be recognized among the companies helping build the infrastructure, products, and standards that will support its continued growth,” Zhou said.
Regulatory focus
Bybit said trust, security and compliance were key priorities as it expanded internationally. It has been working with regulators and policymakers in multiple jurisdictions as the industry seeks a more settled framework for growth.
That push comes as large crypto platforms try to position themselves as broader financial businesses rather than specialist trading venues. The shift has brought greater emphasis on payments, tokenised securities and services aimed at linking digital asset markets more closely with conventional finance.
Zhou said regulation and infrastructure would be critical to that transition.
“Trust is the foundation of every financial system,” Zhou said.
“Innovation alone is not enough. The future of finance requires strong infrastructure, responsible regulation, and products that serve real user needs. We welcome the progress being made across global markets because it helps create a stronger foundation for long-term growth,” he added.
Expansion plans
Bybit said its longer-term aim was to offer users a single platform spanning crypto and traditional financial opportunities. That approach reflects a wider industry effort to attract retail and institutional customers with products across both markets.
The company framed that strategy around access to investing and wealth creation across geographies, as exchanges seek new revenue streams and broader user engagement beyond spot and derivatives trading.
“We are building a new financial platform where everyone, everywhere has access to the same financial opportunities,” Zhou said.
“Access to investing, wealth creation, and financial innovation should not be limited by geography or legacy systems. Our goal is to connect users to opportunities across crypto and traditional finance through a single trusted platform,” he added.
Bybit said it remained focused on secure, compliant and accessible financial services as digital assets become more closely linked with global capital markets.