Bybit Adds Zero-Fee Apple Pay Crypto Purchases

Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has launched a zero-fee promotion for crypto purchases made through Apple Pay, effective from August 25 until September 24, 2026 [4, 5]. The move is designed to lower the barrier to entry for retail users by removing the standard fee overhead typically associated with card-based digital asset acquisitions [4, 6].

Expanding payment accessibility

The zero-fee structure applies to transactions of 100 USDT or more, allowing users to utilize any bank card linked to their Apple Wallet via Bybit’s "One-Click Buy" interface [4, 5]. By integrating Apple’s payment ecosystem, the exchange aims to streamline the acquisition process, eliminating the need for traditional bank transfers or extended wait times [4, 5]. While the promotion removes transaction costs for a limited window, the company noted that an upper limit on fees and specific terms and conditions apply to the offer [5, 6].

This initiative follows a broader push by Bybit to reduce transactional friction across its platform. The exchange recently rolled out a zero-fee structure for its peer-to-peer (P2P) trading platform, which supports over 570 payment methods and 60 local currencies [2]. Additionally, the exchange has introduced "Block Trading," a feature targeting large-scale asset transactions that also operates with zero fees and supports a wide range of fiat currencies, including USD, HKD, and NGN [1].

Infrastructure and settlement shifts

Beyond retail payment integrations, Bybit is actively adjusting its settlement infrastructure to improve cost-efficiency. Starting December 1, the exchange will support USDC deposits and withdrawals on the XDC Network with zero withdrawal fees in place through January 1, 2026 [3]. This integration positions XDC as a settlement rail for stablecoin transfers, a move intended to bypass the high gas fees and network congestion often found on legacy Layer-1 blockchains [3]. The shift coincides with a surge in USDC liquidity on the XDC Network, which has recently surpassed $100 million [3].

What to watch

• Promotion Expiration: Monitor whether the zero-fee Apple Pay incentive is extended beyond the September 24, 2026, deadline or if standard card-processing fees are reinstated.
• Stablecoin Activity: Observe if the zero-fee USDC settlement on the XDC Network leads to sustained volume growth or if users revert to legacy networks once the promotional fee waiver ends in January 2026.
• Platform Adoption: Track whether these low-friction payment and settlement updates result in measurable increases in the exchange's reported 80 million user base [4, 5].

Bybit’s recent moves suggest a strategy focused on capturing market share by aggressively lowering costs for both retail card users and institutional-grade stablecoin traders. Whether these fee-free windows successfully transition casual users into long-term participants remains the primary question for the exchange's "New Financial Platform" vision [4, 5].