Bybit returns in the UK after 2-year pause with 100 crypto trading pairs

After a two-year hiatus from the British market, Bybit UK services are back for local traders through a new compliant framework.

Bybit reopens services in the UK with 100 spot trading pairs

Bybit, the world’s second-largest crypto exchange by traded volume, has resumed operations in the UK after withdrawing in response to tougher rules.

The platform has relaunched services for British clients, including spot trading on 100 currency pairs, while stressing greater transparency and regulatory alignment.

However, the exchange is returning under a different structure than before. The company, which reports around 80 million users worldwide, exited the market two years ago when stricter restrictions on the promotion and marketing of crypto services came into force.

Archax partnership under FCA financial promotion regime

To operate in the UK, Bybit is now using a framework that aims to meet Financial Conduct Authority financial promotion standards.

The exchange is not licensed in the country but will market and provide services under the auspices of Archax, a London-based crypto platform that holds a special authorization to approve financial promotions.

Moreover, Archax can act as a gateway allowing unlicensed firms to reach UK consumers, provided they adhere to the relevant marketing rules. This setup enables Bybit to reenter the market without securing its own domestic authorization, while still operating within the FCA’s regime for financial promotions.

Ben Brown, chief compliance officer at Archax, said the firm is extending a model it already applies for other leading exchanges. He noted that Archax has previously supported platforms such as Coinbase and OKX in gaining compliant access to the UK market.

Bybit: FCA clampdown and UK’s roadmap for crypto regulation

The FCA has taken an increasingly strict stance on the advertising and marketing of digital asset services to residents in Britain. Rules introduced in October 2023 tightened the requirements for financial promotions, forcing several crypto companies to scale back or halt operations in the jurisdiction.

However, the UK government has repeatedly signaled that it wants to develop a clearer regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. Authorities have stated that they plan to establish a comprehensive crypto rulebook by 2027, which could provide more predictable conditions for exchanges and service providers.

Bybit’s positioning and message to UK users

Commenting on the relaunch, Mykolas Majauskas, senior director of policy at Bybit, highlighted the UK’s role as a global financial hub. He called the country “one of the most sophisticated financial ecosystems in the world” and pointed to its “clear regulatory direction” as a foundation for responsible innovation in digital assets.

That said, Majauskas emphasized that the exchange intends to build its UK presence cautiously. In the months ahead, Bybit UK aims to expand its product lineup with offerings tailored to British users, while keeping transparency and compliance at the core of its strategy.

The company reiterated that it is operating under a framework designed to align with FCA financial promotion standards and to enhance clarity for UK-based customers. Moreover, the Bybit UK structure through Archax suggests that more global exchanges may choose similar partnership models as regulatory oversight intensifies.

In summary, Bybit’s return to Britain via Archax underscores how major crypto exchanges are adapting their structures to fit evolving UK regulation, while positioning for a more defined rulebook expected by 2027.