Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has appointed Peter Loo as its new Chief Legal & Compliance Officer. Loo brings more than 25 years of cross-jurisdictional experience across investment banks, regulators, law firms, and digital asset institutions. In his new role, he will lead Bybit's global legal, regulatory, and compliance strategy as the exchange continues its transition into a fully integrated, regulated financial platform.

The hire comes as major crypto exchanges face intensifying regulatory scrutiny across multiple jurisdictions, from US enforcement actions to the implementation of the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, creating both pressure and opportunity for platforms that can demonstrate robust compliance frameworks.

Loo has operated across major financial centres including the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. His appointment signals Bybit's intent to strengthen its regulatory architecture and align with global standards as the company expands across multiple jurisdictions.

Prior to joining Bybit, Loo served as General Counsel & Head of Sector Development at Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), where he played a foundational role in shaping one of the world's most advanced virtual asset regulatory regimes. He led the development of licensing frameworks, market conduct policies, and enforcement protocols, working closely with international exchanges, custodians, and institutional participants to position Dubai as a global hub for digital assets. His move from helping build a regulator to joining a regulated entity underscores the growing interplay between public-sector rulemaking and private-sector compliance execution as the digital asset industry matures.

Loo has also held senior positions at leading financial institutions, including Barclays Capital and MF Global, advising on complex derivatives, structured products, and cross-border regulatory frameworks. He served as EMEA Head of Legal & Compliance at Amber Group, overseeing regulatory expansion and product structuring across Europe and the Middle East.

His experience spans the full lifecycle of financial innovation, from traditional derivatives and fund structuring to digital assets and tokenisation, positioning him to bridge legacy finance and emerging Web3 ecosystems.

At Bybit, Loo will oversee the development of a globally aligned compliance framework designed to support the company's ambition of providing a seamless single access point to financial services, encompassing trading, payments, custody, and asset management within a regulated and sustainable structure.

Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit, said: "Peter brings a depth of experience that is both rare and highly relevant to where Bybit is headed. Having worked across regulators, global financial institutions, and Web3 platforms, he understands not only how rules are written, but also how they are applied in practice across jurisdictions. As we continue to build Bybit into a new financial platform, one that connects crypto and traditional finance in a structured and compliant way, Peter's leadership will be critical in strengthening our regulatory foundations and ensuring we scale responsibly on a global level."

Loo's appointment represents a significant step in Bybit's transformation from a high-growth crypto exchange into a mature, globally recognised financial platform. His mandate includes enhancing internal governance, advancing licensing efforts in priority markets, and fostering constructive engagement with regulators worldwide. For Bybit, which has historically operated with a lighter regulatory footprint compared to publicly listed rivals like Coinbase, strengthening its compliance leadership is a notable signal of strategic direction as institutional participants increasingly demand regulatory clarity before committing capital.

"The opportunity at Bybit is to help shape what a truly global, regulated digital financial platform can look like. The industry is entering a phase where credibility, structure, and regulatory alignment are no longer optional," said Peter Loo, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Bybit. "Bybit has built strong momentum, and my focus is on reinforcing that with the right frameworks, processes, and engagement models so that we can operate in a way that meets the expectations of both regulators and institutional participants globally."