Bybit Signals U.S. Push Through Potential Major Broker Partnership

Bybit is considering a partnership with a major U.S. brokerage as part of its effort to compete with Robinhood in the American market, according to CEO Ben Zhou. Zhou pointed to Interactive Brokers as an example of the type of firm Bybit could seek to work with.

A brokerage-led route into the U.S.

The comments indicate that Bybit is looking beyond a standalone exchange strategy for its U.S. ambitions. Rather than identifying a specific agreement, Zhou described a potential collaboration with an established broker. The summary did not provide a timetable, name a confirmed partner or outline the structure of any proposed deal.

For Bybit, the reference to Interactive Brokers places traditional brokerage infrastructure at the center of its stated approach. A partnership of that kind could be intended to connect a crypto-focused platform with a firm already associated with brokerage services, although the available information does not say what products, customers or jurisdictions such an arrangement would cover.

Competition with Robinhood

The strategy is framed around competing with Robinhood in the U.S. That comparison makes distribution and access a central part of the story: Bybit is publicly discussing whether working with a large broker could strengthen its position in a market where it expects competition from a consumer-facing financial platform.

Zhou’s remarks remain exploratory rather than an announcement of a completed partnership. No agreement with Interactive Brokers was disclosed, and there were no details on negotiations, regulatory approvals, launch plans or the services that Bybit would offer through a broker.

When it comes to the U.S., Bybit will look to work with someone like Interactive Brokers, for example, said CEO Ben Zhou.

The statement therefore provides an indication of Bybit’s preferred direction in the U.S., but not a finalized expansion plan. Further information would be needed to assess whether the exchange secures a partner and how such a relationship would affect its competition with Robinhood.

Source: Coindesk