Bybit Outmaneuvers EU Crypto Crackdown—Lands MiCA License in Austria, Plants Flag in Vienna

While legacy finance scrambles to decode blockchain paperwork, Bybit just hacked the system. The exchange secured a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from Austrian regulators—then immediately announced its EU headquarters in Vienna. Talk about moving fast and breaking... regulations?

From regulatory purgatory to European beachhead

No ’wait-and-see’ approach here. Bybit’s license grants access to all 27 EU states under MiCA’s passporting rules. Vienna gets bragging rights as the new HQ, but the real win? A compliant on-ramp for institutional capital eyeing crypto’s next bull run.

The cynical take

Meanwhile, traditional banks still can’t agree whether Bitcoin is a commodity, security, or existential threat. While they debate, exchanges like Bybit are eating their lunch—one regulated jurisdiction at a time.

• Bybit wins MiCA license, unlocks access to 29 EEA member countries
• Vienna HQ launch to create 100+ jobs and boost regional compliance
• February hack remains unresolved, with €1.5B still partly untraced

Bybit has secured a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license in Austria and opened its European headquarters in Vienna. The company is now able to provide crypto-asset services under the EU’s regulatory guidelines. The exchange now prepares to offer services across all 29 European Economic Area (EEA) member states.

The Financial Market Authority (FMA) of Austria granted the license to Bybit EU, registered under commercial number 636180i. This will enable the firm to expand in Europe and aims to reach nearly 500 million users. The Vienna office will coordinate regional efforts, focus on regulatory compliance and enhance user participation.

The MiCA license allows Bybit to provide crypto services to people in the European Union. According to the framework, all companies must follow the same rules for security, risk management, anti-money laundering and stablecoin operations. It requires service providers to keep reserves and openly report their activities.

Bybit’s Vienna Headquarters

Bybit aims to hire more than 100 staff members in Vienna to help with its EU operations and compliance. The company will align its services with EU laws and will also invest in local talent. As part of its Blockchain for Good Alliance, the exchange plans to partner with European universities and help educate about blockchain.

The firm’s expansion into Austria follows its removal from France’s financial regulator AMF’s blacklist in February 2025. This decision was made because of better compliance and cooperation with authorities in several countries. The company continues to apply for licenses across the world as part of its compliance approach.

Bybit and Bitpanda currently operate in Austria under MiCA, which makes the country a center for crypto regulation.

Largest Crypto Hack

In February 2025, Bybit was hacked. The hack, considered the largest crypto theft in history, led to the losss of $1.5 billion. Authorities believe North Korean hackers were behind the incident, although most of the stolen money has not been recovered.

On May 9, German authorities seized €34 million from a platform used to launder funds from the Bybit hack. On May 27, reports confirmed that nearly half of the stolen assets could not be traced. The hack exposed vulnerabilities in the platform’s security although users were not affected.

Bybit was formed in 2018 and relocated its global headquarters from Singapore to Dubai in 2022. According to CoinMarketCap, the exchange is currently ranked second by trading volume.

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