Crypto Exchange Bybit Registers as Virtual-Asset Services Provider in Argentina

Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has registered as a virtual asset service provider (VASP) and card operator with the Financial Information Unit (FIU) in Argentina.

VASPs are newly established in many jurisdictions. In Argentina to legalize the activities of cryptocurrency exchanges and service providers of virtual assets the government has introduced new measures.

Headquartered in Dubai, the UAE, the exchange is registered as Bybit Fintech FZE in the British Virgin Islands. The exchange recently exited Canada and received a warning from the Japanese regulator. But has been pushing to expand in the Latin America region.

Argentina’s New Crypto Regulations

‘In March, Argentina’s National Securities Commission (CNV) issued General Resolution No. 994/2024 requires service providers of virtual assets to comply with the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF’s) anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) recommendations.

Exchanges such as ByBit have to now register with a special registry before starting operations, which is effectively a VASP license. Failure to do would lead to a ban operating in the country.

“We are excited to become a registered VASP and card issuer in Argentina, and take compliance seriously” said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit.

“This achievement marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide accessible and secure digital asset services to users worldwide and our commitment against financial crime. Bybit is committed to supporting Argentina’s economic growth,” said Zhou.

Bybit Overtakes Coinbase as Second-Largest Crypto Exchange

In a June report crypto research firm Kaiko said Bybit surpassed the crypto exchange Coinbase to become the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume after Binance.

The report highlights Bybit’s impressive growth after launching spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US, positioning it as a major player in the global crypto trading ecosystem. Kaiko identifies the driving force behind Bybit’s success seems to be its highly competitive fee structure.