From Skepticism to Mainstream: Ben Zhou, Bybit, and the Rise of Bitcoin

Discover how Ben Zhou and Bybit turned early skepticism into mainstream success as Bitcoin, institutional adoption, and clearer U.S. regulation reshape digital assets.

When Ben Zhou founded Bybit in 2018, his first task was convincing his own team that Bitcoin wasn’t a scam. That anecdote captures how far cryptocurrencies have come: what once provoked doubt is now central to global conversations about finance, technology, and regulation.

Today digital assets are mainstream. Institutional adoption has accelerated as asset managers, banks, and corporations add crypto exposure to portfolios and payment rails. Spot Bitcoin ETFs, custody solutions, and growing on-ramps from traditional finance have lowered barriers for everyday investors. Exchanges like Bybit have evolved from niche trading platforms to full-service crypto exchanges that support derivatives, spot trading, staking, and education.

Regulation has played a pivotal role in legitimacy. Governments and regulators in many jurisdictions have moved from skepticism toward pragmatic frameworks that aim to protect investors while encouraging innovation. In the U.S., recent regulatory developments and clearer guidance have made it easier for institutional products to enter the market, signaling that cryptocurrencies may be woven into the broader financial system rather than excluded from it.

For crypto exchanges, the shift means new responsibilities. Compliance, security, and transparency are now core competitive advantages. Bybit’s journey reflects this transition: stronger KYC/AML practices, investment in custody and security infrastructure, and partnerships with traditional finance have been necessary to support growth while satisfying regulator and institutional demands.

Looking ahead, the future of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies will likely be shaped by continued collaboration between industry players and policymakers. Innovation — from layer-two scaling solutions to tokenization of real-world assets — will push use cases beyond speculation. At the same time, sensible regulation can reduce fraud and protect consumers, encouraging further adoption among retail users and institutions alike.

Ben Zhou’s early challenge—convincing a team that Bitcoin had lasting value—now reads like an origin story for an industry that has matured rapidly. As digital assets integrate with traditional finance, exchanges and founders who prioritize security, compliance, and user education will lead the next phase of crypto’s mainstream evolution.

Back