Dubai, United Arab Emirates - October 28, 2026
Bybit has announced that its flagship trading competition, the World Series of Trading (WSOT), will return for 2026 with registration opening on October 29 at 10:00 AM UTC. The event will run through December 2, 2026 and carries a maximum prize pool of 10 million USDT, which will be allocated across multiple competition tracks as overall trading volume increases.
This edition carries the theme - The World Trades Here - and represents the most substantial format change in WSOT's six-year run: for the first time the contest moves beyond crypto-only trading and becomes a multi-asset event. Traders will be able to compete across crypto, stocks, gold, oil and indices from a single account, and a new AI Showdown track will recognize strategies that use Bybit AI or external AI subaccounts.
Record participation in 2025
WSOT 2025 was the largest iteration of the competition to date. By removing minimum equity requirements at registration, Bybit increased access and attracted a global audience. The 2025 edition recorded 520,451 participants representing 202 countries and regions, nearly seven times the number who took part in 2024. The event also saw 1,474 squads formed worldwide and earned a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS recognition for 71,765 participants registering within a 24-hour period.
Those figures continue a trajectory that began with WSOT's 2020 launch, when nearly 12,000 traders participated. By 2024 the event had reached 161 countries and generated USD 100 billion in trading volume, while incorporating tiered leagues, Copy Trading and DEX participation. Over six editions WSOT evolved from a crypto trading contest into Bybit's flagship global event.
What WSOT 2026 includes
WSOT 2026 is structured into five tracks that will share the prize pool. The payout structure is tied to cumulative trading volume across the event. The tracks are:
- Squad Showdown. Squads compete on percentage P&L, with rewards for top squad leaders and incentives for the earliest squads to form.
- Individual Showdown. Traders compete on percentage P&L within three weight classes: Lightweight, Middleweight and Heavyweight.
- Global Assets (new). Leaderboards for Spot and TradFi perpetuals spanning crypto, stocks, gold, oil and indices.
- AI Showdown (new). A leaderboard dedicated to traders using Bybit AI or general AI subaccounts.
- Preheat Quest. A series of trading tasks across all five arenas that award rewards throughout the campaign.
Bybit is calling for traders, creators and community leaders to apply as squad leaders. Applications open on October 29. Members and leaders can both earn rewards for recruiting traders into their squads.
Key dates and stages (2026, UTC)
| Stage | Dates & Times |
|---|---|
| Preheat Quest: Registration | Oct 29, 10:00 AM - Dec 2, 10:00 AM |
| Squad Showdown: Squad Creation | Oct 29, 10:00 AM - Nov 11, 10:00 AM |
| Squad Showdown: Main Competition | Nov 13, 10:00 AM - Dec 2, 10:00 AM |
| Individual Showdown | Nov 13, 10:00 AM - Dec 2, 10:00 AM |
| Global Assets: Spot Competition | Nov 5, 10:00 AM - Nov 26, 10:00 AM |
| Global Assets: TradFi Perps | Nov 19, 10:00 AM - Dec 2, 10:00 AM |
| AI Showdown | Nov 13, 10:00 AM - Dec 2, 10:00 AM |
Eligibility and rules
There is no minimum equity requirement to register for WSOT 2026. Participation remains subject to eligibility checks, KYC screening and assessments of product appropriateness. The event prohibits wash trading, self-trading, multiple accounts and collusion; those behaviors are monitored and will result in disqualification. Professional users, market makers and institutional accounts are not eligible to participate.
About Bybit
Bybit describes itself as The New Financial Platform. The company states its objective is to connect people worldwide to financial opportunities through a unified platform that combines investing, trading, payments and wealth management. Bybit says it is trusted by more than 80 million users and highlights AI-powered technology, deep global liquidity, security measures and transparent operations as central elements of its offering.
Disclaimer and other notes
Bybit warns that trading digital assets and derivatives involves significant risk, particularly with leverage, and traders may lose all committed funds. Rewards offered in the event do not offset trading losses. Product availability may differ by region and some services may not be available to all users. The content provided about WSOT 2026 is informational and does not constitute an offer, solicitation or recommendation to use any product or service. The event's full Terms and Conditions apply and take precedence in case of inconsistency. Bybit reserves the right to amend event terms without prior notice and retains final interpretation authority. Participants from restricted countries and regions are ineligible for the event, and the event is not intended for users residing in the European Economic Area. Participants are responsible for taxes on rewards they receive, and Bybit may withhold or deduct taxes where required by law.
Contact
Head of PR
Tony Au
Bybit
[email protected]