UK Invites Bybit to Boost London’s Crypto Ambitions

TLDR

• UK officials invited Bybit leadership to London to discuss expansion and crypto regulation.
• CEO Ben Zhou confirmed meetings with the Financial Conduct Authority and the House of Lords.
• Bybit ranks as the second-largest crypto exchange by CoinGecko.
• Zhou said the UK wants major crypto firms to establish bases and create jobs.
• The outreach coincides with UK Fintech Week and Treasury plans for stablecoins and tokenization.

UK officials have invited crypto exchange Bybit to London to explore expansion and regulatory talks. The outreach targets job creation and renewed digital asset activity. CEO Ben Zhou confirmed meetings with regulators and lawmakers this week.

Bybit Signals Potential UK Engagement

Economic development officials linked to the UK government invited Bybit executives to London this week. They aim to attract large crypto firms and rebuild domestic innovation activity. Zhou said officials want major businesses to establish bases and create jobs.

He confirmed meetings with the Financial Conduct Authority and House of Lords representatives. He said discussions will cover forthcoming pro-crypto regulations and payment reforms. “They are very eager to invite big business,” Zhou said during Paris Blockchain Week.

Bybit ranks as the second-largest crypto exchange by CoinGecko. The exchange trails only Binance in global trading volumes. Zhou founded Bybit in 2018 and later shifted the headquarters to Dubai.

He moved the company from Singapore to Dubai in 2022. Binance also established operations in the UAE in 2025. Large exchanges helped attract smaller crypto firms to the region.

UK Targets Momentum Built by Bybit and Binance in UAE

Zhou said major exchanges created momentum in the UAE market. He explained that smaller firms followed after Bybit and Binance announced regional plans. “Once we announced we’re going to be there, smaller players followed,” Zhou said.

He said the UK has yet to build similar traction. He added that policymakers want to replicate the UAE model. “There hasn’t been any momentum built in the UK,” Zhou said.

The invitation coincides with UK Fintech Week events in London. The Treasury plans to revamp payment systems using stablecoins and tokenization. Officials have not disclosed the specific department behind the invitation.

Zhou said an economic development board extended the offer directly. He said the board promised a direct line to the prime minister. “There is an agenda to push for innovation, especially in crypto,” Zhou said.

The Treasury and Economic Secretary, Lucy Rigby, has not issued any comments. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology also declined to respond. The Financial Conduct Authority had not replied at press time.

The outreach follows recent geopolitical tensions affecting the UAE. Iran launched direct attacks during the U.S.-Israel war that began on Feb. 28. Thousands of residents and tourists have left the country.

The Financial Times reported that one in eight British residents departed the UAE. Zhou said UK officials observed capital and company outflows to the Gulf region. He stated that London sees this period as an opportunity.

“The UK government has seen the outflow of money and companies going to the UAE,” Zhou said. He added that officials want to regain that activity. Zhou said the current timing aligns with that objective.

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