Bybit Becomes the First Crypto Exchange to Receive a Full SCA License in the UAE

Bybit said in October 2025 that it had received a Virtual Asset Platform Operator License from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the federal financial regulator of the United Arab Emirates. According to Bybit, it is the first crypto exchange to get this license.

Background

The license follows an in-principle approval that Bybit received in February 2025, with support from the Blockchain Centre in Abu Dhabi. Bybit listed it alongside its other 2025 regulatory steps, including authorization under the EU's MiCA rules and the resumption of full operations in India.

What the license covers

Under the full license, Bybit can offer regulated trading, brokerage, custody and fiat conversion services to retail and institutional clients in the UAE.

Plans in the UAE

Bybit also set out plans tied to the license:

A larger regional center in Abu Dhabi, with staff in Abu Dhabi and Dubai growing to more than 500

More local hiring in compliance, operations and customer support

Education and Web3 programs run with local partners

Bybit already has its global headquarters in Dubai. The SCA license adds a federal-level authorization to its operations in the country.