How to Sign Up for Bybit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Opening a crypto exchange account for the first time can feel intimidating, but creating a Bybit account takes only a few minutes. You sign up with an email or a mobile number, agree to the terms, confirm a verification code, and you are in. To actually deposit fiat, withdraw funds, or unlock higher limits, you then complete identity verification (KYC). This guide covers the full registration flow on both desktop and mobile, explains the difference between KYC Level 1 and Level 2, and flags the common mistakes that lock new users out of their accounts.

What Bybit Is and Why the Sign-Up Step Matters

Bybit is a Dubai-headquartered cryptocurrency and derivatives exchange launched in 2018. It serves a large global user base across roughly 160 countries and lists hundreds of spot assets alongside a deep derivatives market with perpetual and futures contracts. Beyond plain trading, the platform bundles copy trading, trading bots, lending, and crypto earn products into one account.

That breadth is exactly why the registration step deserves care. The account you create here becomes the single key to your Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoin balances. A weak password or an unverified email at sign-up is the most common reason beginners later struggle to recover access. Get the foundation right and everything downstream — deposits, trades, withdrawals — runs smoothly.

📷 a screenshot of the Bybit homepage with the "Sign up" button highlighted in the top-right corner

Note: Bybit does not support users located in the United States or the United Kingdom. Always confirm that your country of residence is eligible before starting.

How to Create a Bybit Account on Desktop

There are two registration paths — email or mobile number. Pick whichever you check most reliably, because that channel receives your verification code and future security alerts.

1. Open the sign-up page. From the Bybit homepage, click the Sign up button in the top-right corner.
2. Choose your method. Select Email or Mobile, then enter your address or phone number and create a strong password. If you have a referral code you can add it; otherwise leave the field blank.
3. Accept the terms. Read Bybit's terms of service and privacy policy, then click Create Account.
4. Confirm your region. A pop-up lists restricted countries and regions. If you are not a resident of any listed jurisdiction, click No to continue.
5. Verify. Complete the reCAPTCHA check, then enter the verification code. Email sign-ups receive a code by email (check spam or junk if it does not arrive within a minute), while mobile sign-ups receive an SMS code.

Once the code is accepted, your account is live and you land on the Bybit dashboard.

📷 a screenshot of the Bybit registration form showing the email/mobile toggle and the password field

Choosing a Strong Password and Enabling 2FA

Before you fund the account, lock it down. Use a password of at least 12 characters that you do not reuse anywhere else, and turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) from the security settings immediately after sign-up. An authenticator app such as Google Authenticator is safer than SMS, because SIM-swap attacks can intercept text-message codes. This single step is the difference between a casual account and a hardened one.

How to Create a Bybit Account on Mobile

The mobile flow mirrors the desktop one, with a different entry point. Download the official Bybit app from the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android), then:

1. Open the app and tap Assets in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap Sign up.
3. Choose email or mobile, complete the reCAPTCHA, and enter the verification code.

From there the steps are identical to the browser version. Download the app only from the official store listings — fake "Bybit" apps are a recurring phishing vector.

📷 a screenshot of the Bybit mobile app Assets tab with the Sign up option visible

Understanding Bybit's KYC Requirements

Know Your Customer (KYC) verification — confirming your real-world identity — is a core requirement on every regulated centralized exchange. Completing it unlocks fiat services, higher limits, and full platform functionality. Bybit structures verification into two levels.

KYC Level 1 vs Level 2 at a Glance

For almost every beginner, Level 1 is enough. You only need Level 2 if you want the Bybit Card or expect very large daily withdrawals.

Why KYC Is Worth Completing

Identity verification is not just a regulatory hoop. It delivers concrete benefits to you as a user:

• Fiat and earn access. Only verified accounts can use fiat services and most earn products.
• Higher limits. Withdrawal ceilings rise significantly with each level.
• Account recovery. If you lose access to your login credentials, a verified account has a clearer, faster recovery path.
• Promotions. Verified users qualify for events such as Launchpads and exclusive campaigns.

How to Complete Bybit KYC Step by Step

The exact verification screens can differ slightly depending on your country of residence, but the core flow is consistent.

Desktop: Level 1 Verification

1. Click the profile icon in the upper-right corner, then Account & Security.
2. Under the Identity Verification tab, click Verify Now.
3. Click Verify Now under Lv. 1.
4. Select the issuing country or region and your document type, then upload your ID. Click Next.
5. Complete the facial-recognition scan using your device camera.
6. Click Next to submit.

Desktop: Level 2 Verification

Level 2 is a short add-on. Choose Lv. 2 at the identity-verification screen and upload a proof-of-address document. Bybit accepts utility bills, bank statements, and government-issued residential proof — but the document must be no more than three months old, or it will be rejected.

📷 a screenshot of the Bybit Identity Verification page showing Level 1 and Level 2 options side by side

Mobile KYC

1. Tap the profile icon in the upper-left corner, then Identity Verification.
2. Tap Verify Now, then select your nationality and country of residence.
3. Tap Next to submit your ID document and a selfie.

Level 2 on mobile works the same as on desktop.

A Worked Example: From Zero to First Trade

To make the limits concrete, here is how a typical beginner journey plays out:

• Day 1, 10:00 — Sign up by email, set a 14-character password, enable authenticator 2FA. Time elapsed: about 4 minutes.
• Day 1, 10:05 — Complete Level 1 KYC by uploading a passport and passing the face scan. Approval often arrives within minutes to a few hours.
• Day 1, 12:00 — Deposit 500 USDT and buy your first spot position.

With Level 1 active, that account can already withdraw up to roughly 1,000,000 USDT per day — far beyond what most beginners will ever need. Upgrading to Level 2 only becomes relevant if you later want the Bybit Card or institutional-scale withdrawals.

Risks and Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Most "locked account" complaints trace back to the same handful of mistakes at sign-up. Avoid these:

• Mismatched KYC details. The name and date of birth you enter must exactly match your ID. A nickname or a typo can stall verification for days.
• Expired proof of address. For Level 2, any document older than three months is automatically rejected — re-download a fresh statement before uploading.
• No 2FA. Skipping two-factor authentication leaves your account vulnerable to credential leaks. Enable it before depositing.
• Leverage misunderstanding. Bybit offers high margin and leverage on derivatives. Leverage magnifies both gains and losses, and a small adverse move can liquidate a position. Beginners should start with spot trading and understand the mechanics fully before touching futures.
• Phishing links. Only ever log in through the official domain or the app you downloaded from the official store. Bookmark the real URL and never click sign-in links from unsolicited emails or DMs.

COINOTAG Perspective

For a first-time trader, the sign-up screen is the easy part — the real work is the five minutes of security hygiene that follows. Our view is simple: complete Level 1 KYC the same day you register, enable authenticator-based 2FA before your first deposit, and keep withdrawals on spot assets until you genuinely understand leverage. The withdrawal-limit gap between Level 1 and Level 2 is irrelevant for nearly all retail users, so do not rush into Level 2 unless you specifically need the Bybit Card. Treat the account as the front door to your portfolio, and secure it like one.

Once you are verified and funded, the next logical step is learning the trading interface itself. Our companion walkthroughs cover that in depth, and pairing them with the registration steps above gives you a complete, end-to-end starting point. See our broader exchange guides such as the Bybit trading guide and the general crypto trading guide for beginners to keep building from here.