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ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, was represented by its CEO and co-founder Ben Zhou at a fireside chat held on December 12 during Breakpoint 2025, Solana's annual global conference hosted in Abu Dhabi from December 11 to 13. Zhou joined Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation, for a discussion on where the crypto industry is heading next. The conversation took place shortly after Bybit marked its seventh anniversary, a milestone Zhou said reflects the platform's resilience and growing global user base during a period of rapid industry evolution.
Licensing and Compliance as Core Priorities
Zhou said the past two years have marked a shift in Bybit's operational priorities as the company concentrated on securing regulatory approvals in key markets. "This year for me is really focused on compliance and getting licensed," he said. He noted that Bybit was "one of the early exchanges to secure a license from the UAE's Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA)" and also obtained licensing under Europe's MiCA framework. He added that markets across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, are preparing for broader onboarding into crypto.
For Bybit, regulatory alignment goes hand in hand with building trusted access points. "The role of the exchange now is really how do we connect to the local banks and become the place for people that haven't been onboarded into crypto," Zhou said.
Expanding Payment Access in Emerging Markets
Zhou highlighted strong adoption in Latin America, the CIS region and Africa. He also noted that in underbanked markets crypto platforms are increasingly used as primary financial interfaces. "In several markets where Bybit holds local regulatory approvals, users often rely on crypto exchanges much like banks. We give them a crypto card they can use, and at the same time they have an earn program and can even buy structured products," he said.
Zhou added that expanding payment functionality is driving real-world utility and contributing to the platform's continued global user growth.
Byreal and the Move Toward Decentralized Liquidity
Zhou discussed Byreal, the decentralized exchange incubated by Bybit and built on Solana, highlighting liquidity as its core strength. "We want to make sure that the DEX has really good liquidity," he said, noting that trading activity is already "being routed to Byreal because the liquidity and the spread is quite good."
He also outlined how Bybit refined its broader product strategy, saying the company discontinued its wallet project after determining the category lacked user stickiness. "I don't see a competitive stickiness on wallets," he said, explaining that users often choose wallets based on airdrops or ecosystem access rather than loyalty.
He contrasted that with the durability of decentralized exchanges. "DEX is where trading happens," Zhou said, pointing to a broader market shift in which liquidity, including derivatives activity, is moving from centralized exchanges to platforms such as Hyperliquid. He said this trend reinforces Byreal's focus on execution quality and depth of markets.
Zhou closed by reaffirming Bybit's focus on building compliant, accessible infrastructure while driving innovation across decentralized markets. The exchange's seven-year track record reflects its commitment to reliability, strong user growth and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing global market conditions.
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #IMakeIt
About Bybit
Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media
Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube
ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, was represented by its CEO and co-founder Ben Zhou at a fireside chat held on December 12 during Breakpoint 2025, Solana's annual global conference hosted in Abu Dhabi from December 11 to 13. Zhou joined Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation, for a discussion on where the crypto industry is heading next. The conversation took place shortly after Bybit marked its seventh anniversary, a milestone Zhou said reflects the platform's resilience and growing global user base during a period of rapid industry evolution.
Licensing and Compliance as Core Priorities
Zhou said the past two years have marked a shift in Bybit's operational priorities as the company concentrated on securing regulatory approvals in key markets. "This year for me is really focused on compliance and getting licensed," he said. He noted that Bybit was "one of the early exchanges to secure a license from the UAE's Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA)" and also obtained licensing under Europe's MiCA framework. He added that markets across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, are preparing for broader onboarding into crypto.
For Bybit, regulatory alignment goes hand in hand with building trusted access points. "The role of the exchange now is really how do we connect to the local banks and become the place for people that haven't been onboarded into crypto," Zhou said.
Expanding Payment Access in Emerging Markets
Zhou highlighted strong adoption in Latin America, the CIS region and Africa. He also noted that in underbanked markets crypto platforms are increasingly used as primary financial interfaces. "In several markets where Bybit holds local regulatory approvals, users often rely on crypto exchanges much like banks. We give them a crypto card they can use, and at the same time they have an earn program and can even buy structured products," he said.
Zhou added that expanding payment functionality is driving real-world utility and contributing to the platform's continued global user growth.
Byreal and the Move Toward Decentralized Liquidity
Zhou discussed Byreal, the decentralized exchange incubated by Bybit and built on Solana, highlighting liquidity as its core strength. "We want to make sure that the DEX has really good liquidity," he said, noting that trading activity is already "being routed to Byreal because the liquidity and the spread is quite good."
He also outlined how Bybit refined its broader product strategy, saying the company discontinued its wallet project after determining the category lacked user stickiness. "I don't see a competitive stickiness on wallets," he said, explaining that users often choose wallets based on airdrops or ecosystem access rather than loyalty.
He contrasted that with the durability of decentralized exchanges. "DEX is where trading happens," Zhou said, pointing to a broader market shift in which liquidity, including derivatives activity, is moving from centralized exchanges to platforms such as Hyperliquid. He said this trend reinforces Byreal's focus on execution quality and depth of markets.
Zhou closed by reaffirming Bybit's focus on building compliant, accessible infrastructure while driving innovation across decentralized markets. The exchange's seven-year track record reflects its commitment to reliability, strong user growth and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing global market conditions.
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #IMakeIt
About Bybit
Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media
Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Bybit CEO Highlights Compliance and Decentralized Innovation at Solana Breakpoint 2025
MIDDLETOWN, Del., Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Makera today announced a major crowdfunding milestone for Makera Z1 Desktop CNC Machine. By the time the campaign concluded on December 12, it had surpassed US$10,245,134 on Kickstarter, backed by 6,927 supporters worldwide. The achievement highlights growing global demand for accessible, professional-grade CNC manufacturing and reflects the collective support of Makera's backer community, partners, and collaborators who helped bring the project to market.
A New Standard for Desktop CNC
From its inception, the Makera Z1 was engineered to redefine expectations for desktop CNC machining. By combining industrial-grade performance with a compact, desk-ready form factor, it brings advanced digital fabrication within reach of creators previously constrained by cost, complexity, or space.
Key capabilities of the Makera Z1 include 0.02 mm machining accuracy, 4-axis machining for complex geometries, and a streamlined setup enabled by fast tool changes, smart auto-leveling, and one-click tool calibration. The system also supports laser processing and features a built-in camera for remote monitoring and time-lapse capture, making it easier for users to track and share their work.
An integrated dust collection system, with a high-pressure fan and internal airflow channels built into the spindle, simultaneously manages cooling and chip evacuation, routing debris through a bottom-mounted extraction port.
The hardware is paired with Makera Studio software and the Makerables online platform, which together simplify the entire workflow—from automatic toolpath generation and AI-powered image-to-3D modeling to a global community where makers can share, remix, and collaborate on projects.
Introducing the Makera Z1 Pro: Built from Real Maker Feedback
Building on extensive user insights, Makera introduces the Makera Z1 Pro, an upgraded model designed for creators who demand higher precision and long-term reliability. While the original Z1 delivers professional-grade capability at an entry-level price, the Z1 Pro pushes performance further—bringing greater industrial accuracy and enhanced motion stability to the desktop for those unwilling to compromise.
What's Upgraded?
The Makera Z1 Pro introduces core motion-system upgrades designed to enhance precision, durability, and reliability under demanding workloads.
All three axes (X, Y, and Z) now feature ball screw drives, replacing standard lead screws. This upgrade further reduces mechanical backlash beyond the Z1's existing anti-backlash system, while delivering smoother, faster motion and improved longevity during continuous or heavy-duty operation.
In addition, the Z1 Pro is equipped with closed-loop stepper motors across all axes, enabling automatic position correction to eliminate lost steps. The result is higher torque efficiency, quieter operation, and more consistent motion accuracy—bringing industrial-grade reliability to a desktop CNC platform.
Pricing and Availability
Makera continues to prioritize accessibility while expanding performance:
Makera Z1
- MSRP: $1,199
- Kickstarter Late Pledge Price: $979 (18% off)
Makera Z1 Pro
- MSRP: $1,598
- Kickstarter Late Pledge Price: $1,278 (20% off)
From Tanks to Rockets: What Makers Are Building
The Makera Z1 has already proven its capabilities through a wide range of precision-driven projects. Building on widely shared creations such as a fully machined tank model, makers and creators have gone on to tackle even more ambitious builds—including rocket models, intricate mechanical clocks, and complex functional assemblies. Projects like these once demanded access to full-scale workshops, but are now being realized on a desktop CNC.
These examples highlight Makera's belief that desktop CNC is not just for learning or hobby use, but for serious creation.
Shaping the Future of Digital Fabrication Education
Beyond individual makers, Makera's impact is also expanding within educational and research communities. The Carvera desktop CNC machine has been officially listed in the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA) tools directory, a notable milestone that underscores Makera's growing role in advancing hands-on digital fabrication for academic instruction, experimentation, and workforce development.
Commenting on the listing, Makera CEO Josh Zhang said: "This milestone reflects Makera's long-term commitment to bringing desktop CNC tools into classrooms, supporting STEAM education, and expanding the real-world impact of digital manufacturing."
With the Makera Z1, the newly introduced Z1 Pro, and a rapidly expanding global creator community, Makera is moving beyond product launches. It is redefining how manufacturing tools are accessed, how skills are learned, and who gets to shape the future of digital fabrication.
About Makera
Founded by a team of makers, Makera designs intelligent desktop CNC machines that combine automation, precision, and accessibility. From the high-performance Carvera series—trusted in classrooms, studios, small businesses, and medical labs—to the newly introduced Z1, Makera empowers creators worldwide to turn ideas into reality.
For more information about Makera, please check on: https://www.makera.com/
For regular updates on Makera, follow us on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Makera
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makera.official/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makeratt
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Makera Z1 Surpasses $10 Million on Kickstarter, Ushering in a New Era of Desktop CNC Manufacturing
Makera Z1 Surpasses $10 Million on Kickstarter, Ushering in a New Era of Desktop CNC Manufacturing
