Bybit is accelerating its transformation from a cryptocurrency exchange into a broader financial platform, adding traditional stock trading, derivatives, payments and artificial intelligence tools to its existing digital-asset business. The strategy reflects a wider industry shift as crypto platforms compete to become single destinations for multiple financial activities.
The company’s co-founder and chief executive, Ben Zhou, outlined the next phase during Bybit’s October keynote, titled Make Your Move. The strategy aims to connect cryptocurrency markets with traditional investments and everyday financial services through one integrated platform.
Stocks and ETFs broaden access
On October 12, Bybit introduced stock trading for eligible users, offering access to more than 1,000 US stocks and exchange-traded funds. Customers can use USDC to trade, with fractional shares and access to US pre-market, regular and after-hours sessions.
The launch marks an important distinction in Bybit’s expansion: the offering is designed to provide exposure through actual shares and ETFs rather than relying exclusively on derivatives. The company says partner institutions provide share custody, while eligible customers receive applicable shareholder rights and benefits.
Bybit is also developing mStocks with Mantle, a planned tokenised-stock product intended to be backed one-to-one by underlying shares. The companies are targeting a November launch. The proposed system is intended to connect traditional securities with blockchain-based infrastructure, although its availability and legal structure will depend on the final product terms and applicable regulations.
Derivatives and payments drive growth
Beyond stock trading, Bybit says its traditional-finance offering now includes more than 600 products spanning equities, ETFs, indices, commodities and foreign exchange. Its TradFi perpetual contracts have generated more than $180 billion in reported trading volume since their introduction in March 2026.
These instruments broaden the range of markets available to customers, but they also introduce significant risks. Perpetual contracts and other leveraged products can magnify losses, and their trading volumes should not be confused with customer assets or platform revenue.
Bybit is also extending its payment services. Bybit Pay and Bybit Card connect digital assets and fiat payments with merchant purchases and transfers. The company reports that its payment network reaches more than 5,000 merchants across over 15 countries and that it has issued more than four million cards.
AI becomes part of the platform
Artificial intelligence is another component of the strategy. Bybit launched Bybit AI in September as a conversational assistant supporting trading, account management and customer service. The company plans to develop these capabilities further as its range of financial products grows.
An integrated interface could make it easier for customers to navigate markets and services, but AI assistance does not remove investment risk. Users still need to understand the products they trade and independently assess financial decisions.
Regulation remains critical
Expanding into traditional finance raises the importance of licensing, custody and investor protection. Bybit says it secured five new licences or regulatory approvals across several jurisdictions during 2026. However, regulatory permissions are specific to entities, activities and territories; availability in one market does not automatically establish authorisation in another.
For European customers, the relevant question is whether the particular entity and product are authorised to serve them under applicable EU and national rules. This is especially important for tokenised securities, derivatives and payment services, which can be subject to different regulatory frameworks.
Bybit’s ambition is clear: combine crypto, traditional markets, payments and AI in one financial ecosystem. Its long-term success will depend not only on adding products, but also on maintaining liquidity, reliable operations, regulatory compliance and customer trust as the platform becomes more complex.
