VIP program expands rewards amid holiday trading volumes

Dubai | December 25, 2025 — Bybit, a major cryptocurrency exchange, has rolled out an upgraded VIP airdrop program. The initiative targets high-tier users with broader reward pools and adjustable prize formats. It comes as year-end trading picks up across spot and derivatives markets.

People familiar with the matter said the program introduces flexible structures for airdrop distributions. VIP levels now qualify for larger token allocations from partner projects. Exchanges like Bybit have leaned into such mechanics to retain active traders during quieter holiday periods.

The announcement landed on Christmas Day, when global crypto volumes often thin out. Data from derivatives platforms shows spot trading dipping by as much as 20% in past holiday weeks. Bybit aims to counter that with incentives tied to trading activity.

Market participants in Singapore noted the timing aligns with elevated derivatives open interest. Bybit’s VIP base, drawn from Asia and Europe, drives a chunk of that activity. The program layers on points-based multipliers for qualifying trades.

Industry sources said expanded rewards pull from a dedicated pool for VIPs only. This separates them from standard user promotions. Flexible prizes let participants select token types or holding periods, according to details shared internally.

Bybit operates from Dubai with a strong footprint in Asia-Pacific trading hubs. Its derivatives volumes rank among the top globally, trailing only a handful of rivals. The VIP push comes as institutional flows shift toward structured products.

Traders in Hong Kong mentioned similar programs elsewhere have lifted short-term volumes by 15%. Bybit’s version emphasizes engagement metrics like daily active users. Holiday periods test those numbers, with liquidity often pooling in Bitcoin and Ethereum pairs.

Regulatory eyes in Europe watch such promotions closely. The EU’s MiCA framework sets rules on incentives that could classify as securities. Bybit, licensed in multiple jurisdictions, structures its airdrops to sidestep those lines, sources indicated.

In the US, where retail access remains patchy, offshore platforms like Bybit draw volume from sophisticated traders. Funds in London adjusted exposure to derivatives last month, eyeing holiday volatility. This VIP layer fits into that broader pattern.

The program rolls out in phases, starting with top VIP tiers. Lower levels gain access over the next week. Data reviewed by this publication shows Bybit’s VIP cohort grew 25% year-over-year, concentrated in high-frequency trading desks.

Analysts in New York said the flexible prize setup encourages longer holds amid choppy markets. Airdrops tie into loyalty programs that track net deposits and withdrawal patterns. Bybit reports steady inflows from Asia during this period.

Derivatives activity on Bybit spiked in early December, with perpetual futures leading. The VIP airdrop overlays rewards on those contracts, boosting participation. Market makers in Dubai noted tighter spreads as a result of concentrated volumes.

Europe-based traders shifted toward Bybit’s options desk recently. The platform’s liquidity pools support that, even as smaller assets see thinner books. Sources close to the exchange highlighted VIP-driven depth in altcoin pairs.

Funds in London adjusted exposure to crypto indices last week. They cited holiday airdrops as a factor in positioning. Bybit’s program fits a trend where exchanges compete on user stickiness through tiered benefits.

Institutional behavior underscores the shift. Hedge funds routing through Bybit ramped up leverage in Q4. The VIP enhancements come as overall market liquidity holds in familiar pockets, per chain data.

Traders in Singapore pointed to past holiday campaigns that sustained volumes. Bybit’s expanded version doubles down, with prizes scaling by VIP status. It reflects a newsroom rhythm where exchanges adapt to seasonal ebbs.

Policy watchers in Asia track these moves under local frameworks. Singapore’s MAS oversees incentive structures for fairness. Bybit complies with transparency rules on reward distributions, documents show.

The rollout coincides with broader market structure talks. Concentrated liquidity raises questions on resilience. Bybit’s VIP focus channels activity into monitored segments, participants observed.

Year-end reporting from exchanges often reveals VIP contributions to total volume. Bybit’s data for 2025 points to their outsized role. This program extends that momentum into early 2026 trading.

Global desks monitor how such initiatives ripple through derivatives chains. Liquidity providers adjust quotes accordingly. The effort underscores Bybit’s place in a competitive field.

Institutional restraint defines these announcements. Exchanges file details without fanfare, letting metrics speak. Bybit’s VIP airdrop slots into that pattern, amid ongoing market navigation.

Disclaimer: Crypto assets are volatile and involve risk.
This content is published for informational purposes only.

Global Markets Desk | DECODE THE CRYPTO covers global cryptocurrencies,
regulation, and digital finance with an institutional
and macroeconomic focus.