Bybit launches regulated Indonesia platform after majority acquisition of NOBI

Crypto exchange Bybit has launched a locally operated platform in Indonesia after acquiring a majority stake in PT Enkripsi Teknologi Handal, the digital asset firm previously known as NOBI. The acquired entity has been rebranded as Bybit Indonesia and will operate under the supervision of Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority, Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK), according to the company.

Bybit framed the move as part of a regulatory-first expansion strategy built around licensed local entities and close engagement with domestic regulators. The company described Indonesia as a long-term strategic market and said products will be introduced progressively in line with OJK requirements and local disclosure and consumer-protection standards.

At launch, Bybit Indonesia plans to roll out services in phases, starting with more than 500 cryptocurrency trading pairs. The platform will use Bybit’s global liquidity and market surveillance infrastructure, while aligning risk controls to Indonesian regulatory requirements and the firm’s internal compliance policies.

The Indonesian operation will be led by a local team drawn from NOBI’s former senior management. Lawrence Samantha has been appointed CEO of Bybit Indonesia, with Dionisius Evan as COO and Steven Gotama as CMO, tasked with overseeing day-to-day operations, compliance implementation and stakeholder engagement.

"This acquisition allows us to combine Bybit's global capabilities with an experienced local team that understands Indonesia's market and regulatory environment," Samantha said. He added that the team will focus on a careful transition for existing NOBI users and measure success by how responsibly it serves Indonesian users.

Ben Zhou, Bybit co-founder and CEO, said Indonesia is a significant opportunity for the digital asset industry, but argued that sustainable growth depends on regulatory alignment and responsible operations. The firm said user education will be central to its Indonesia strategy, including localized initiatives under the Bybit Learn brand.

Indonesia counted 21.07 million registered crypto asset users as of February 2026, with 2025 crypto transaction value reaching $26.85 billion, per the Indonesia Financial Services Authority. As of April, the country had licensed 31 crypto-related entities, including PT Enkripsi Teknologi Handal, underscoring a tightly regulated exchange and brokerage landscape.