Bybit to Cease Services for UK Citizens Following the FCA Ban on Crypto Derivatives Trading

The first consequences from the FCA ban on crypto derivatives trading in the UK are evident for the popular digital asset exchange Bybit. The company announced earlier that it will suspend its services to all customers based in the United Kingdom. 

• Established in 2018, Bybit is a cryptocurrency exchange headquartered in Singapore with a reported user base of over one million registered clients. However, the firm will seize offering its services to UK-based customers, according to a recent press release. 
• The statement informed that all UK users have to close all of their opened positions and withdraw all account balances by 8 AM UTC, March 31st, 2021. Following that date, UK citizens will be “restricted from accessing or performing any trading activities on Bybit.” 
• Furthermore, the exchange will immediately restrict all new registrations using UK mobile numbers and/or IP addresses. 
• Bybit’s decision is a direct consequence of a ban on crypto derivatives trading in the UK instituted by the country’s regulator – the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 
• CryptoPotato reported last year that the watchdog planned to prohibit the sale, marketing, and distribution to all retail customers of crypto derivatives and exchange-traded notes (ETNs).  
• At the time, the FCA described such products as “ill-suited for retail customers due to the harm they pose.” It also outlined that traders are unable to determine a reliable value because of the extreme volatility in the market and inadequate understanding. 
• Interestingly, though, even the UK population couldn’t stop the FCA from implementing the ban as a survey compiled by the watchdog suggested that over 97% disagreed with the decision.