Bybit has launched spot trading pairs denominated in United Arab Emirates dirhams (AED), enabling eligible users in the UAE to trade selected cryptocurrencies directly with local currency balances. The exchange said customers can fund their accounts through domestic bank transfers, and once the transfer is completed, the AED balance can be used immediately for spot transactions without first converting into U.S. dollars or stablecoins.
Four AED trading pairs available at launch
The initial rollout includes USDT/AED, BTC/AED, ETH/AED, and SOL/AED. With these pairs, users can buy or sell the supported digital assets directly against AED held on the platform. Bybit noted that eligibility requirements and regional restrictions apply, indicating that access may depend on account status and jurisdiction-specific conditions.
Local currency rails reduce trading friction
The move fits a broader industry shift toward integrating local currencies into crypto exchange infrastructure. In the past, many platforms required users to convert domestic currency into a more widely used trading unit such as the U.S. dollar or a stablecoin before entering the market. Direct AED pairs shorten that process, remove an intermediate conversion step, and may help reduce operational friction for users accessing spot crypto markets.
From an infrastructure perspective, the new setup creates a clearer connection between UAE banking rails and Bybit’s trading platform. Users transfer funds from local financial institutions, receive AED balances in their exchange accounts, and then deploy those balances directly into spot trades. That model strengthens the link between traditional banking services and digital asset trading systems.
Part of the UAE localization trend
The launch also reflects the UAE’s growing role as a regional hub for digital asset activity. The country has developed regulatory frameworks for digital asset service providers and trading platforms, encouraging exchanges to adapt services to local compliance and operational standards. As global crypto firms expand in the region, local-currency functionality is increasingly becoming a core part of market localization.
Derek Dai, Bybit’s Regional Head of MENA, said offering AED services to local users carries significance beyond user experience. He added that as demand for digital asset services grows across the region, local currency on-ramp, off-ramp, and trading capabilities are playing a more important role in supporting responsible market participation. According to the company, it plans to continue expanding products and services within the UAE’s compliance framework.
Overall, the addition of AED trading pairs represents more than a product update. It highlights how exchanges are building localized payment access, domestic banking connectivity, and fiat-denominated trading options to serve users in regulated regional markets.