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Bybit is preparing to gradually scale back services for users based in Japan from 2026, marking a further shift in how global crypto exchanges navigate one of the world’s most tightly regulated digital asset markets.
The move follows months of regulatory pressure and earlier steps taken by the exchange to reduce its footprint in the country.
Bybit said the process will involve rolling account restrictions applied over time, rather than an immediate shutdown, as it aligns with Japan’s regulatory framework.
The development comes even as the exchange expands in other jurisdictions, underlining the uneven global regulatory landscape for crypto platforms.
The phased restrictions will apply to users identified as Japanese residents, with Bybit implementing the measures on a rolling basis.
Users who believe they have been incorrectly classified have been asked to complete additional identity verification checks to resolve their status.
Bybit is not registered with the Financial Services Agency, which requires crypto exchanges serving Japanese residents to obtain local approval before offering services.
Japan’s regulatory regime has long been regarded as one of the strictest globally, shaped by past exchange failures and consumer protection concerns.
This framework has limited the ability of overseas platforms to operate freely in the country without a local licence.
Bybit’s decision to begin a structured withdrawal from 2026 reflects the growing difficulty for unregistered foreign exchanges to maintain access to Japanese users.
The latest announcement builds on earlier actions taken by Bybit to curb its exposure to the Japanese market.
In October, the exchange halted new user registrations in Japan, citing ongoing discussions with regulators.
That decision signalled that continued full operations without registration were becoming increasingly unsustainable.
Regulatory scrutiny intensified in February, when Japan’s Financial Services Agency requested that app stores run by Apple and Google suspend downloads of five unregistered cryptocurrency exchanges.
Alongside Bybit, the list included MEXC Global, LBank Exchange, KuCoin, and Bitget. The move reinforced Japan’s stance that access to local users must be tightly controlled.
Industry figures have warned that this regulatory bottleneck is driving innovation elsewhere.
In July, Maksym Sakharov, co-founder and CEO of WeFi, said Japan’s strict oversight was pushing crypto development out of the country, as companies look for more flexible jurisdictions.
Despite the Japan pullback, Bybit remains one of the most active exchanges globally.
Rather than exiting heavily regulated markets altogether, Bybit has increasingly adopted jurisdiction-specific strategies, limiting certain services while expanding in regions with clearer or more accommodating frameworks.
While scaling down in Japan, Bybit is simultaneously rebuilding its presence in other markets.
The exchange is reentering the UK after a two-year pause, launching a platform that offers spot trading and peer-to-peer services.
The UK return is structured through a promotions arrangement approved by Archax, rather than through direct UK registration.
Bybit has also strengthened its position in the Middle East.
Last month, it secured a Virtual Asset Platform Operator Licence from the United Arab Emirates’ Securities and Commodities Authority, eight months after receiving in-principle approval.
The licence allows the exchange to expand services in a region that has actively positioned itself as a hub for digital asset firms.
Mantle (MNT) has been one of the standout performers in the cryptocurrency market in recent weeks, climbing to new highs while many other assets remain range-bound.
After reaching an all-time high of $2.16 on October 6, the token is now trading near its peak levels and attracting attention from traders and institutions alike.
But the question many investors are asking is whether Mantle’s momentum, fueled by real-world asset (RWA) adoption and deepening exchange integration, can carry the price past $2.50 in the near term.
The Mantle (MNT) token has gained more than 4% in the past 24 hours, extending a weekly rise of over 17% and a staggering 83% in the last 30 days.
This rally has been supported by both ecosystem growth and favourable market sentiment.
Mantle’s market capitalisation now stands at nearly $7 billion, with trading volume approaching $300 million daily.
At the same time, momentum indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and MACD show no clear signs of exhaustion, pointing to sustained bullish interest.
Technically, the breakout above $2.06 has provided a strong base, and analysts note that a close above the previous all-time high of $2.20 could trigger a wave of FOMO-driven buying.
Fibonacci extensions suggest that the next resistance levels lie at $2.23 and $2.48, making $2.50 a critical psychological target.
However, there is the risk of profit-taking around these levels, which could spark short-term pullbacks as highlighted by analyst Keval Gala.
Why $MNT is surging today?@Mantle_Official outpaces broader crypto (+0.85%), driven by RWA adoption, Bybit integration, and technical momentum.
The good:
1) RWA Platform Launch: Mantle unveiled a compliance-focused tokenization service for real-world assets at Token2049.2)… pic.twitter.com/PZ3rBcQMyp
— Keval Gala (@kevalgala03) October 5, 2025
One of the most significant factors behind Mantle’s price surge is its expanding relationship with Bybit, one of the largest global exchanges with more than $30 billion in daily trading volume.
Mantle recently secured listings for 21 new trading pairs on the platform, boosting liquidity and accessibility.
Bybit also introduced staking products with yields as high as 36% to 90% APR, locking up tokens and reducing circulating supply.
In addition, structured products such as Double Win and Smart Leverage have been rolled out, making MNT an integral part of Bybit’s growing trading ecosystem.
This close alignment has led some analysts to compare Mantle’s role to Binance Coin’s early utility within Binance, with potential for a self-reinforcing growth loop if Bybit continues to scale.
Beyond exchange partnerships, Mantle is positioning itself as a leader in the tokenisation of real-world assets.
At Token2049, the network unveiled a compliance-focused platform that enables the issuance of tokenised assets in a regulated environment.
World Liberty Financial (WLFI) followed up by deploying its $2 billion USD1 stablecoin on Mantle, further strengthening its foothold in the RWA sector.
The global market for tokenised assets currently stands at $26 billion but is projected to expand into the trillions by the end of the decade.
Mantle’s entry into this space aligns it with a fast-growing institutional narrative, one that could give the token long-term utility and value beyond speculative trading.
The integration of RWAs with stablecoins is also being highlighted by Mantle’s leadership as a major opportunity to bring real-world financial use cases on-chain.
Despite the bullish setup, analysts warn that Mantle’s rapid rise may lead to short-term corrections.
The token is trading close to its all-time highs, and failure to hold support at $2.10 to $2.20 could open the door to a retracement toward $1.78 or even $1.55.
Much will depend on whether adoption metrics for the RWA platform and the USD1 stablecoin show tangible growth in the weeks ahead.
If Mantle (MNT) can hold a bullish trajectory and maintain institutional momentum, a push beyond $2.50 looks increasingly possible.
Mantle
MNT
$1.69
24h volatility:
7.3%
Market cap:
$5.47 B
Vol. 24h:
$497.01 M
price hit $1.70 on Monday, Sept. 22, gaining 8% to emerge the only top 20-ranked cryptocurrency in profit over the last 24 hours.
The MNT price surge came as Bybit exchange introduced new benefits for MNT holders. These include enhanced leverage, extended loan terms, and a new “Discount Buy” option, enabling investors to acquire MNT below market price with savings of up to 6.89%.
Together with @Bybit_Official, we’ve taken $MNT integrations beyond consumer-grade, making it institution-ready.
Built for smarter capital efficiency and flexibility, two new integrations tailored for institutional needs are now live.
Dive deeper
pic.twitter.com/64SJ2F1lFq
— Mantle (@Mantle_Official) September 22, 2025
Mantle’s official account highlighted the initiative early Monday, describing it as a major campaign week for its ecosystem. Bybit later confirmed the institutional incentive program, designed to attract both retail and whale traders with flexible borrowing and discounted entry.
The timing of these announcements aligned with Mantle’s ongoing community campaigns around its Keychron Keyboard product, set to be launched at the Korea Blockchain Week kicking-off in Seoul this week.
Broader crypto markets traded in the red on Monday with Bitcoin
BTC
$112 612
24h volatility:
2.5%
Market cap:
$2.24 T
Vol. 24h:
$66.92 B
price slipping 2.6%, Ethereum down 7%, and Solana price also fell 7.4%, according to Coinmarketcap data.
Mantle (MNT) price gains 8% to hit $1.7 on Monday, Sept 22 | Source: CoinMarketCap
However, Mantle moved against the trend. The Bybit announcements injected positive momentum, lifting MNT price as much as 8% intraday to $1.70. Mantle’s trading volume surged 103.6% to $486 million, confirming the rally was mainly driven by rapid bullish positioning in the last 24 hours.
As Mantle’s price action reflects selective-positioning among traders, new presale projects like Pepe Node are also drawing investor interest.
Pepe Node Presale
Pepe Node lets users build virtual meme coin mining rigs, merge nodes for boosted returns, and earn tokenized bonuses. Its blend of community rewards and gamified mining mechanics has positioned it as a high-upside opportunity for early-stage investors.
Currently priced at $0.0010, the Pepe Node presale has already raised $1.16 million of its $1.3 million target. Participants can still join before the next price tier unlocks through Pepe Node’s official website.
Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.
Ibrahim Ajibade is a seasoned research analyst with a background in supporting various Web3 startups and financial organizations. He earned his undergraduate degree in Economics and is currently studying for a Master’s in Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies at the University of Malta.
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Bitcoin could climb higher before June wraps up, if today’s momentum holds. According to Shunyet Jan, Head of Derivatives at Bybit, the world’s second-largest crypto exchange, a move to $125,000 by the end of Q2 is on the table.
That’s a jump of about 16% from current levels near $108,000. It’s a bold call, but Jan ties it to clear rules, steady fund flows and a sliding US dollar.
Jan set the $125,000 target in a market update on Thursday. He argues that if big players keep buying, Bitcoin can make that climb from roughly $108,100 today to $125,000 in five weeks.
It’s a tight window. The weeks ahead will matter most as prices test new highs and traders look for clues on follow-through.
Bybit’s Head of Derivatives Predicts Bitcoin Could Reach $125K by End of Q2
— WF (@WhaleFUD) May 24, 2025
Regulatory clarity tops Jan’s list. Based on reports, the new GENIUS Act gives stablecoins defined rules, which could help banks and funds feel safer about crypto. He also mentions spot Bitcoin ETFs.
These funds have pulled in fresh capital, offering a straight path for institutions to own Bitcoin. Finally, Jan points to a weaker US dollar. When the dollar dips, Bitcoin often shines as an alternative store of value, his view goes.
While Bitcoin gets the green light, Jan warns that smaller tokens may struggle. He says high interest rates and global uncertainty might limit gains for Ethereum and other major altcoins.
If money slows or risk appetite wanes, altcoins could lag behind Bitcoin’s rally. Traders aiming beyond BTC may need to pick their spots more carefully.
Jan’s view isn’t alone. Scott Melker, host of The Wolf of All Streets podcast, thinks Bitcoin could hit $250,000 by December 31, 2025. He notes BTC’s volatility has fallen from about three times that of the S&P to under two times.
On another front, Adam Back of Blockstream sees an even steeper climb to between $500,000 and $1 million per coin this cycle.
Michael Saylor, CEO of Strategy, adds that recent hiccups below $150,000 are tied to short-term holders exiting. He says longer-term investors are moving in through spot ETFs and corporate buys.
Investors will be watching ETF flow reports and any shifts in US rate plans. A surprise hawkish move from the Federal Reserve or a fresh regulatory twist could sway prices just as much as demand.
If Bitcoin breaks toward $125,000, it would mark a major milestone. But as always, timing matters nearly as much as price targets.
Featured image from Gemini Imagen, chart from TradingView
In a stunning update, Bybit CEO Ben Zhou has revealed that $280 million of the $1.4 billion stolen from the cryptocurrency exchange in the February hack has vanished into untraceable channels.
3.4.25 Executive Summary on Hacked Funds:
Total hacked funds of USD 1.4bn around 500k ETH, 77% are still traceable, 20% has gone dark, 3% have been frozen.
Breakdown:
– 83% (417,348 ETH, ~$1B) have been converted into BTC with 6,954 wallets (Average 1.71 btc each) . This and…— Ben Zhou (@benbybit) March 4, 2025
The security breach, attributed to the North Korean hacking group Lazarus, saw approximately 500,000 Ether (ETH) pilfered from Bybit’s reserves. While the majority of the funds remains visible on the blockchain, Zhou’s announcement underscores the challenges facing investigators as they race against time to freeze the assets before the hackers fully cash out.
The attack exploited vulnerabilities in SafeWallet, a third-party wallet platform used by Bybit. Lazarus hackers compromised a developer’s device, injecting malicious code that allowed them to siphon off nearly $1.5 billion in ETH during a routine transfer.
Despite Bybit’s swift action to restore 1:1 backing of client assets within days, the hackers have been relentlessly moving the stolen funds across multiple platforms, complicating recovery efforts.
A significant portion of the stolen Ether—417,348 ETH valued at around $1 billion—has been converted into Bitcoin (BTC) and scattered across 6,954 wallets, each holding an average of 1.71 BTC.
Zhou noted that 72% of the haul, or 361,255 ETH worth $900 million, was funneled through THORChain, a decentralized exchange known for its privacy features.
THORChain alone processed a record $4.66 billion in swaps in the week ending March 2, raking in over $5.5 million in fees from these illicit transactions. This fragmentation and conversion strategy has made tracking the funds increasingly difficult for blockchain forensic teams.
Meanwhile, 20% of the stolen assets—approximately 79,655 ETH—have “gone dark,” meaning they’ve been laundered through platforms like ExCH and rendered untraceable.
Zhou highlighted that an additional 40,233 ETH, worth $100 million, passed through OKX’s Web3 Proxy. Of this, 23,553 ETH ($65 million) remains untraceable without further cooperation from the OKX Wallet team, while 16,680 ETH is still within reach of investigators.
The CEO stressed that the next one to two weeks are pivotal as the hackers prepare to offload their haul via exchanges, over-the-counter (OTC) trading desks, and peer-to-peer (P2P) networks.
In a bid to thwart the hackers, Bybit has enlisted the help of bounty hunters and security firms.
Zhou reported that 11 parties—including prominent players like Mantle, Paraswap, and blockchain sleuth ZachXBT—have assisted in freezing $42 million, or 3% of the stolen funds.
So far, Bybit has paid out $2.178 million in USDT to these contributors as part of its recovery efforts, with more details available at Lazarusbounty.com. The exchange also partnered with Web3 security firm ZeroShadow on February 25 to enhance its blockchain forensics and maximize asset recovery.
Despite these efforts, the hackers show no signs of slowing down. Blockchain analytics firm Elliptic has identified over 11,000 wallets linked to the Lazarus group, suggesting a sprawling network designed to obscure their tracks.
Free Real-time Bybit Exploit Data
Elliptic has launched a free data feed of illicit addresses linked to the Bybit exploit.
Why it matters:
Minimize exposure to sanctions
Access via CSV or API
… pic.twitter.com/U9Qa2tc8Zz
— Elliptic (@elliptic) February 25, 2025
Zhou indicated that an additional $65 million in ETH could be salvaged with OKX’s support, but time is running out as the attackers continue laundering operations through platforms like ExCH and OKX Web3 Proxy.