Bybit CEO Ben Zhou reports that retail crypto trading activity has dropped by approximately 30% from its peak. This decline aligns with broader market trends, as centralized spot trading volumes in mid-2026 were about 67% lower than the levels recorded in October 2025.
Following a hack in early 2025 that led to losses exceeding $1,5 billion, Bybit increased its market share from a low of 4% to a range of 7–9,5%. The exchange implemented new tools, such as Retail Price Improvement orders, to improve execution prices for its users.
To mitigate the impact of reduced retail interest, Bybit is shifting its focus toward institutional clients. The company is currently pursuing EMI and MiFID licenses in Europe to facilitate access to institutional capital and offer electronic money services across the EU.
The exchange is also expanding its technological capabilities. In September 2026, Bybit introduced AI-driven features, including a conversational support tool for traders, as part of its strategy to diversify into regulated products and tokenization services.
