TL;DR
- Bybit returned to the UK after two years through a partnership with Archax, an FCA-registered exchange that provides the regulatory framework.
- The exchange can offer spot trading across 100 pairs, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, with zero-fee deposits and withdrawals.
- The model mirrors the approach used by Coinbase and OKX.
Bybit returned to the UK after nearly two years out of the market. The comeback was made official today through a partnership with Archax, a London-based exchange registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. The chosen structure does not rely on a proprietary license, but instead on operating and marketing services under the regulatory framework of an authorized third party.
Bybit exited the UK in 2023 following a tightening of British rules around the promotion and marketing of crypto services. The FCA raised transparency and oversight requirements, prompting several platforms to suspend local operations. The new setup marks a tactical shift: rather than waiting for direct authorization, the exchange opted for legal access through Archax, which holds a special license to approve financial promotions and enable services from non-authorized firms.
The relaunch includes spot trading across 100 cryptocurrency pairs for UK users. Bitcoin and Ethereum are among the assets available from day one. Operations run on Archax’s infrastructure, which allows commission-free deposits and withdrawals within its platform. So far, there have been no immediate effects reported on prices or liquidity.
Bybit Follows the Same Path as Coinbase and OKX
The agreement prioritizes compliance with FCA standards without restricting access to the UK market. Archax has already used a similar model to facilitate regulated entry for other international exchanges such as Coinbase and OKX. Under this structure, Archax acts as a regulatory filter, taking responsibility for financial promotions while the exchange offers and operates its products.
Bybit reaches this stage as one of the world’s largest exchanges by trading volume, with a user base of around 80 million. The company highlights the UK’s appeal as a financial hub and the importance of a clear regulatory direction to develop products tailored to local users.
Meanwhile, the British government has signaled plans to introduce a crypto rulebook by 2027, suggesting a shift from restriction toward a more structured framework. In that context, agreements like the one between Bybit and Archax function as interim solutions.
Bybit’s return sends a signal to the market. Large exchanges are no longer debating whether to adapt to UK regulation, but how to do so without sacrificing efficiency and scalability. The indirect route, supported by regulated partners, is emerging as one of the most pragmatic responses
