Bybit Super VIP Event: Insights and Highlights from Athens’ Crypto Gods Gathering

4. AMA Highlights: Key Insights from Bybit CEO Ben Zhou

One of the event’s most informative sessions was the interactive AMA with Bybit CEO Ben Zhou. In this session, Zhou shared exclusive insights into Bybit’s vision, regulatory strategy, and upcoming product innovations. Known for his open and approachable style, Zhou invited attendees to ask anything—from personal opinions on industry developments to specific questions on Bybit’s strategic moves. Here are the session’s key takeaways of the AMA that shed light on Bybit’s future and its positioning in the global crypto landscape.

4. A. Bybit’s Path to Becoming the Top Platform for Perpetual Futures
Oxido Solutions specializes in automated crypto trading with perpetual futures, so Jarno was all ears when Zhou highlighted Bybit’s ambition to become the world’s leading platform for perpetual futures. He underscored that liquidity and local partnerships are central to achieving this goal. Bybit’s current strategy includes providing liquidity to smaller local exchanges and positioning itself as a supportive partner rather than a competitor. For example, Bybit already collaborates with exchanges like the Dutch platform Bitvavo, offering liquidity solutions to enhance trading experiences across different markets. Zhou highlighted that Bybit’s ability to adapt to regional needs—such as obtaining local licenses and creating a separate Bybit EU platform—gives it an edge in maintaining both regulatory compliance and market relevance.

4. B. The Impact of MiCAR and Regulatory Adaptations in Europe
As Europe rolls out its MiCAR regulatory framework, Bybit is positioning itself to comply fully with European Union standards. Zhou shared that Bybit is applying for three key licenses in Austria: MiCAR, MiFID, and EMI, which will allow it to offer regulated derivatives trading with up to 10x leverage for European clients. With these licenses, Bybit plans to launch a dedicated Bybit EU platform to comply with EU regulations while keeping the global site free from these constraints. This split approach could enable Bybit to better serve its European users while maintaining the flexibility to innovate on a global scale. Zhou’s comments indicated that Bybit’s strategic regulatory compliance is designed to solidify its position as a trustworthy and accessible platform for European traders.

4. C. Product Development: Enhancing Copy Trading and Integrating New Features
Zhou took note of several client feedback points directly, including requests for a gold signal in copy trading and additional API support for brokers. He shared that Bybit’s Copy Trading Pro was recently launched for institutional users, including firms like Oxido Solutions, providing a professional environment for curated trading strategies. The feature is currently available to a handpicked group of verified users, creating potential opportunities for professional traders looking to expand their reach. Zhou also revealed plans to explore on-chain staking rewards by the month’s end, aiming to offer DeFi-like returns within Bybit’s ecosystem.

4. D. Stablecoin Compliance and Contingency Planning for Tether and USDC
Zhou addressed regulatory uncertainties surrounding stablecoins, particularly Tether (USDT), which may face restrictions under MiCAR in Europe. As an alternative, Bybit is working closely with Circle to make USDC the primary stablecoin on its EU platform if regulatory approval is granted. Zhou assured that, should Tether become non-compliant, Bybit will offer seamless one-to-one conversions from USDT to Euro or USDC to minimize user disruption. He also explained that Bybit is preparing to offer Euro-based trading pairs across Bitcoin and Ethereum to meet compliance standards, ensuring users retain access to reliable, stable trading pairs even if stablecoin regulations tighten.

4. E. Commitment to Customer Feedback and Product Flexibility
Throughout the AMA, Zhou emphasized Bybit’s dedication to evolving based on user feedback. Examples included API enhancements for broker support, tailored rates on Bybit EU, and the possibility of lounge access on Bybit’s branded cards. This adaptability was further highlighted by Bybit’s decision to pursue a broker license for Europe, which allows them to offer a similar trading experience to the global platform but with locally compliant liquidity providers.

4.F. Focus on Long-Term Growth Through Partnerships and White-Label Solutions
Zhou reiterated Bybit’s long-term goal of establishing itself as a leading global and local trading infrastructure provider. Bybit’s white-label solutions for local exchanges reflect this commitment, allowing regional platforms to leverage Bybit’s liquidity and technical expertise. Zhou revealed ongoing partnerships with European exchanges like Bitpanda and noted that Bybit’s global strategy increasingly focuses on becoming the “backbone” of trading for many smaller, regionally focused exchanges. This approach could ultimately help Bybit grow its market share and institutional presence.

Overall, Ben Zhou’s AMA provided a clear roadmap for Bybit’s vision: a blend of localized compliance, global innovation, and a commitment to trader feedback. Bybit aims to set the standard for regulatory adaptation in Europe, maintain high liquidity across markets, and ensure flexible, user-driven product development. The session underscored Zhou’s ambition to make Bybit an indispensable platform for both professional and retail traders globally, building a foundation that emphasizes strategic partnerships, regulatory foresight, and an unwavering focus on user needs.

5. CRYPTO MARKET OUTLOOK FROM BYBIT’S SUPER VIPS

For Jarno, the Bybit Super VIP Event was a great opportunity to exchange insights and experiences about the crypto market with like-minded people. Here are some of the main themes he observed in the discussions:

5. A. Bullish Sentiment and the Path to New Highs
For many at the event, the sentiment was clear: the crypto market is poised for a strong upward cycle. Several traders mentioned the accumulation of Bitcoin and Ethereum by institutional investors, a sign they believe foreshadows a bull run. Moreover, traders anticipate a renewed focus on layer-1 protocols and blue-chip altcoins, expecting them to benefit from both institutional and retail adoption. With renewed demand and reduced liquidity as a result of long-term holdings, some VIPs speculated that Bitcoin and Ethereum could approach their previous highs and potentially surpass them within the next cycle.

5. B. Focus on Altcoins and Meme Tokens
Event participants also highlighted an increased interest in altcoins and meme tokens, which have shown resilience and growth potential, even amid a lack of momentum in major assets. Meme tokens, in particular, were praised for their ability to drive retail engagement, drawing new investors into the market and generating liquidity. Traders pointed out that these tokens often experience sharp price rallies that can yield significant profits, though they also come with a high risk of volatility. Many traders remain focused on low-cap altcoins, launching new tokens through DEX launchpads, and using flipping strategies to capitalize on quick gains.

5. C. The Evolution of DeFi and Its Role in the Next Bull Run
Many attendees agreed that decentralized finance (DeFi) will play a substantial role in the next wave of market growth. As more users flock to DeFi platforms for lending, staking, and yield farming opportunities, the sector is expected to attract increased liquidity and innovation. Attendees were particularly optimistic about DeFi’s potential to integrate with institutional finance, which could create new avenues for growth and mainstream adoption. They noted that as DEXs become more user-friendly and transaction costs decrease with layer-2 scaling solutions, DeFi could see exponential growth.

5. D. Layer-2 Scaling Solutions and Cross-Chain Protocols
Another popular topic was the role of layer-2 solutions in making the crypto market more accessible and affordable, especially for small-cap trading. Solutions like Optimism and Arbitrum on Ethereum have lowered fees and increased transaction speed, enabling broader participation in DeFi and other blockchain-based applications. Similarly, cross-chain protocols were highlighted as critical for the market’s future, as they allow interoperability between blockchains, bringing assets from multiple chains into a single ecosystem and thus increasing liquidity and trading opportunities.

5. E. Regulatory Landscape: Navigating Europe’s New Rules
With Europe moving forward on regulatory frameworks like MiCAR, the outlook on regulatory impacts was a recurring topic, especially after Ben Zhou sparked the conversation during the AMA. Traders noted that increased regulation could create a more stable environment, attracting institutional capital and fostering mainstream adoption. However, attendees acknowledged the challenges posed by compliance, especially for smaller traders who may face new constraints in leverage and product offerings. The consensus was that regulation, while potentially restrictive, would likely solidify the market’s legitimacy in the eyes of institutional investors and government bodies.

Overall, the Super VIPs maintained a cautiously optimistic outlook on the crypto market, fueled by ongoing innovations, layer-2 scaling solutions, and the promise of new regulatory clarity. Although wary of volatility and regulatory impacts, many traders feel that the market is on the cusp of another upward cycle, driven by both retail and institutional growth. This outlook underscores a need for adaptability among traders, who are increasingly diversifying their strategies across centralized exchanges, decentralized exchanges, and emerging DeFi applications.

6. Key Insights for Oxido Solutions Following Bybit’s VIP Event

The Bybit Super VIP Event in Athens offered Oxido Solutions valuable insights into the future of the European crypto market and Bybit’s strategic adaptations to new regulations and evolving trading trends. Here are Jarno’s top three takeaways:

6.A. Adjusting Trading Bots
Bybit’s push for MiCAR and MiFID licenses across Europe signals a shift towards a stronger regulatory landscape. This shift will likely standardize the crypto market and influence how Oxido develops and markets its trading bots. Currently, Oxido Solutions serves few European clients on Bybit, as crypto derivatives are not widely accessible to Europeans. However, once Bybit obtains these licenses, if Oxido aims to continue serving the European market, we may need to adjust strategies to comply with lower leverage limits (10x) and a possible move toward BTC/EUR pairs. It remains to be seen if these pairs will offer enough liquidity and we can operate MiCAR-compliant strategies responsibly on Bybit.

6.B. Copy Trading Pro for Institutional Clients
Bybit introduced a “Copy Trading Pro” service tailored for professional traders and firms like Oxido. This service presents an opportunity for Oxido to test the platform and potentially attract new clients who prefer copy trading with regulatory safeguards. If successful, Oxido could integrate copy trading strategies into its offerings, broadening its appeal to institutional clients.

6.C. DEX Arbitrage Opportunities for Our Institutional Network
In addition to providing crypto trading bot solutions for institutional investors, Oxido also connects these clients with other quant trading firms. This is especially valuable when these firms offer strategies that hedge Oxido’s directional strategies or better align with institutional needs. We’ve seen a growing interest among institutional clients for DEX strategies and will explore whether the DEX arbitrage strategies discussed with contacts at the VIP event could meet their needs. This doesn’t mean Oxido will develop its own DEX strategies—we’ll stick to our core expertise in directional trading.

All in all, the Bybit Super VIP Event was a fantastic experience for Jarno. It was hugely valuable to exchange knowledge with peers and get insights into how one of our key exchange partners is navigating Europe’s regulatory changes. How this will play out for Oxido will become clearer over time, but we’re ready to make any adjustments that fit our business goals. We’ll keep you posted.

7. DISCLAIMER

The information and opinion provided in this blog is for general purposes only and should not be considered as specific financial advice or recommendations for any individual, exchange, security, or investment product.