At Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025 on December 17, Bybit CEO and Co-founder Ben Zhou detailed the growing integration of cryptocurrency into mainstream payments. Speaking at the Fintech Abu Dhabi panel in Dubai, Zhou emphasized crypto’s continuous, real-time transaction capabilities as key to modernizing global financial infrastructure. He also addressed sector security challenges following a significant breach in February 2025 and highlighted collective industry efforts to enhance cybersecurity.

Bybit’s CEO Emphasizes Cryptocurrency’s Disruption in Payments

During the panel “Invisible Payments, Visible Growth: Under the Hood of Today’s Power Plays,” Zhou explored how blockchain innovations, combined with artificial intelligence, are transforming financial ecosystems. He pointed to the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council’s increasing importance as hubs for finance and investment, stressing that cryptocurrency provides a more modern settlement infrastructure compared to traditional payment processes.

Zhou explained that unlike legacy payment systems which settle transactions at predetermined times, crypto operates continuously, enabling near-instantaneous, transparent settlements. “To me, crypto is just synchronization. It’s modern. It’s 24/7,” he said, noting that this capability aligns with vendor demand for real-time payment solutions that reduce intermediaries and friction.

The CEO further highlighted tokenized and decentralized systems as foundational to creating an efficient, open global payments network suited for the digital economy. This shift promises to streamline cross-border payments, foster transparency, and support evolving user expectations surrounding digital asset transactions.

Security Challenges and Industry-Wide Collaboration

A key discussion point was the security breach Bybit experienced in February 2025. Zhou described the incident as “the ultimate test” of the firm’s operational discipline and dedication to protecting users. He underscored attackers’ rapid tactics, moving funds swiftly across multiple blockchains and decentralized mixers to evade tracking.

“When an incident like this happens, it’s really a time race,” Zhou said, explaining that on-chain transaction tracing often lags by up to two days, during which hackers can relocate assets across numerous addresses.

To address these vulnerabilities, Zhou introduced the Lazarus Group, a cross-industry cooperative aimed at improving information sharing and accelerating response times across exchanges and over-the-counter (OTC) participants. The initiative is designed to enable faster collective action against sophisticated, cross-chain cyberattacks, reducing systemic risks in the crypto ecosystem.

Bybit’s Strategic Role in Web3 and Crypto Infrastructure

Founded in 2018, Bybit ranks as the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving over 70 million global users. It positions itself as a bridge between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi), offering secure custody, diverse marketplaces, and advanced blockchain tools.

Zhou highlighted Bybit’s strategic partnerships with leading blockchain protocols, reinforcing its commitment to supporting on-chain innovation and Web3 adoption. He concluded by stressing the critical role of secure, scalable infrastructure combined with user trust in facilitating long-term adoption of digital assets.

“As digital assets move further into the mainstream, secure and scalable infrastructure, combined with a strong foundation of user trust, will be key to supporting long-term growth and practical adoption,” Zhou remarked.

Cryptocurrency: Market Outlook

Bybit’s insights at ADFW 2025 reaffirm the growing recognition of cryptocurrency as a transformative force in global payments and financial markets. The platform’s emphasis on continuous settlement, transparency, and cross-industry cybersecurity collaboration highlights critical steps toward broader crypto adoption and maturity. As security improvements and infrastructure innovation advance, investors and industry participants can expect a more resilient crypto ecosystem increasingly integrated with mainstream finance.