How Bybit Is Winning Europe’s Crypto Market

Summary

Georg Harer, Co-CEO of Bybit EU, discusses the company's expansion strategy under MiCA, choosing Austria for its strict but innovation-friendly regulator. He highlights the 90% of Europeans who have never used crypto as the main market opportunity, and notes stablecoin liquidity issues for euro-denominated pairs.

• Bybit EU obtained its MiCA license in Austria, known for strict yet tech-friendly regulation.
• The firm plans to grow its Vienna office from 40 to 80-100 employees by year-end.
• Post-MiCA, retail crypto participation in Europe grew 27%.
• Georg Harer sees the real challenge as bringing the 90% of non-crypto Europeans into the market.
• USDC is described as the largest regulated stablecoin in Europe, but euro stablecoins lack liquidity.
• Liquidity providers are mostly non-European, limiting euro-denominated trading pairs.
• The industry needs education and clearer MiCA rules to attract mainstream retail investors.
• Bybit EU is pursuing additional licenses (e-money, investment firm) to broaden services.