The World Trades Here: Bybit's WSOT Returns for 2026 With a Prize Pool of Up to 10 Million USDT
Key Takeaways
- •WSOT 2026 opens registration on October 29, 2026, and runs until December 2, 2026, with a maximum prize pool of 10 million USDT that unlocks as collective trading volume grows.
- •The competition expands from crypto into a multi-asset format, letting traders compete on crypto, stocks, gold, oil, and indices from a single account.
- •Two new tracks debut this year: Global Assets, featuring spot and TradFi Perps leaderboards, and the AI Showdown, a dedicated leaderboard for traders using AI subaccounts.
- •The 2025 edition set records with 520,451 participants from 202 countries and regions and earned a Guinness World Records title after 71,765 traders joined within 24 hours.
- •Registration carries no minimum equity requirement, but participation is subject to eligibility and KYC checks, with wash trading and multiple accounts prohibited and pro users, market makers, and institutional users excluded.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 28, 2026, Chainwire — Bybit, the New Financial Platform trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, announced that the World Series of Trading (WSOT), its flagship global trading competition, returns for 2026. Registration opens on October 29, 2026, at 10 AM UTC, and the competition runs until December 2, 2026, with a maximum prize pool of 10 million USDT.
Fresh from a record 2025 edition that drew 520,451 traders and earned a Guinness World Records title, WSOT 2026 will bring stocks, gold, and AI-assisted trading into the arena for the first time.
This year's theme, "The World Trades Here," marks the biggest change in WSOT's six-year history. The competition expands from crypto into a multi-asset arena where traders can compete on crypto, stocks, gold, oil, and indices from a single account, and can put AI to work in a dedicated new track. Ahead of opening day, Bybit is inviting traders, creators, and community leaders worldwide to step up as squad leaders.
A Record-Breaking 2025
WSOT 2025 was the largest edition in the competition's history. By removing equity requirements at registration, WSOT opened its doors wider than ever, and the world showed up:
- 520,451 participants from 202 countries and regions — nearly seven times the 2024 total
- 1,474 squads formed worldwide
- A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title, with 71,765 participants joining within 24 hours
Those numbers cap six years of growth. WSOT launched in 2020 with nearly 12,000 participants, meaning last year's field was more than forty times the size of the inaugural one. By 2024, it had reached 161 countries and generated USD 100 billion in trading volume, adding tiered leagues, Copy Trading, and DEX participation along the way. Since its launch, WSOT has grown from a crypto trading competition into Bybit's flagship global trading event.
What to Expect in 2026
WSOT 2026 reflects Bybit's shift into a global multi-asset platform. Five tracks share the maximum prize pool, which unlocks as total trading volume grows — making the headline 10 million USDT a ceiling tied to collective activity rather than a fixed payout:
- Squad Showdown — Squads compete on P&L%, with rewards for top squad leaders and the first squads to form.
- Individual Showdown — Traders compete on P&L within weight classes: Lightweight, Middleweight, and Heavyweight.
- Global Assets (new) — Spot and TradFi Perps leaderboards spanning crypto, stocks, gold, oil, and indices.
- AI Showdown (new) — A dedicated leaderboard for traders putting Bybit AI or general AI subaccounts to work.
- Preheat Quest — Trading tasks across five arenas, with rewards throughout the campaign.
Bybit is also inviting traders, creators, and community leaders to lead squads. Applications open on October 29, and members as well as leaders earn rewards for inviting traders to their squad.
Key Dates by Stage
| Stage | Dates & Times (2026, UTC) |
|---|---|
| Preheat Quest: Registration | Oct 29, 10 AM – Dec 2, 10 AM |
| Squad Showdown: Squad Creation | Oct 29, 10 AM – Nov 11, 10 AM |
| Squad Showdown: Main Competition | Nov 13, 10 AM – Dec 2, 10 AM |
| Individual Showdown | Nov 13, 10 AM – Dec 2, 10 AM |
| Global Assets: Spot Competition | Nov 5, 10 AM – Nov 26, 10 AM |
| Global Assets: TradFi Perps | Nov 19, 10 AM – Dec 2, 10 AM |
| AI Showdown | Nov 13, 10 AM – Dec 2, 10 AM |
The calendar unfolds in stages rather than all at once: the spot competition opens the multi-asset window on November 5, the squad, individual, and AI showdowns follow on November 13, and TradFi Perps runs through the final stretch from November 19 to December 2.
There is no minimum equity to register. Participation is subject to eligibility, KYC, and product appropriateness checks. Wash trading, self-trading, multiple accounts, and collusion are prohibited and monitored, and participants who breach the rules will be disqualified. Pro users, market makers, and institutional users are not eligible.
About Bybit
Bybit is The New Financial Platform. The company believes every person should have access to every financial opportunity on earth, and it is building the first intelligent platform that connects anyone, anywhere, to the world's finance. Trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, Bybit brings together investing, trading, payments, and wealth-building in a single secure and intelligent ecosystem. Through the combination of AI-powered technology, deep global liquidity, robust security, and transparent operations, Bybit makes global finance more accessible, efficient, and empowering for everyone.
Risk Disclosure
Trading digital assets and derivatives involves significant risk, particularly when using leverage, and traders may lose all of the funds they commit. Rewards do not compensate for trading losses. Product availability may vary by region, and some products and services may not be available to all users. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to access or use any product or service. The full Terms and Conditions on the event page apply and prevail in case of any inconsistency. Bybit reserves the right to modify the terms of this event without prior notice and holds the right of final interpretation of the event. Participants from restricted countries and regions are not eligible, and the event is not intended for users residing in the European Economic Area (EEA). Participants are solely responsible for any taxes arising from rewards received, and Bybit may withhold or deduct taxes where required by applicable law.
Media Contact
Tony Au, Head of PR, Bybit — tony.au@bybit.com
This article first appeared on Metaverse Post.
