Bybit Launches Zero-Fee Gold Trading on TradFi Platform for UAE Retail Investors

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Bybit launches zero-fee gold trading for TradFi accounts. A new retail investment option for safe-haven assets in the UAE.

Bybit TradFi has introduced two account modes - Zero-Fee and Tight-Spread - for retail traders accessing gold and other traditional financial assets.
Zero-Fee mode is the default for all new TradFi accounts, with transaction costs embedded in the bid-ask spread rather than charged as a separate commission.
Users with a minimum 3,000 USDT TradFi deposit and no open positions can switch to Tight-Spread mode, which offers narrower spreads with explicit per-trade commissions.
The platform supports more than 200 tradable assets including gold, silver, FX pairs, stock CFDs, and indices, all accessible through MetaTrader 5 infrastructure.
Bybit holds a full SCA licence for the UAE mainland and provisional VARA approval in Dubai, providing dual regulatory coverage across UAE jurisdictions.
A new-user deposit promotion offers rewards of up to 5,030 USDT for eligible TradFi participants, running alongside a precious metals campaign through April 2026.

SCA, VARA and the Regulated UAE Context for TradFi Gold Trading

The launch of zero-fee gold trading on Bybit TradFi arrives as UAE retail investors increasingly look beyond conventional bank accounts and bullion funds for safe-haven exposure. Bybit holds a full Virtual Asset Platform Operator licence from the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the mainland regulator for virtual and traditional asset services. This licence authorises Bybit to serve retail and institutional clients across the UAE, and the platform also carries provisional approval from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), giving it dual regulatory coverage across UAE jurisdictions.

The TradFi service is powered by Infra Capital, a provider licensed by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Mauritius, which acts as the regulated entity behind the traditional financial instrument offering. This multi-layered regulatory structure means UAE-based users accessing gold through Bybit TradFi are operating within a framework that spans several licenced entities. However, TradFi is not available in all jurisdictions, and users should review Bybit's eligibility disclosures carefully before opening an account.

Two Account Modes for Different Traders

Bybit TradFi has introduced two distinct account modes: Zero-Fee mode and Tight-Spread mode. Both operate on standard FX and CFD (contract for difference - an agreement to exchange the price difference in an asset between opening and closing a trade) brokerage mechanics, but differ in how costs are presented and applied. The dual structure is designed to serve both first-time investors and more experienced active traders from the same platform.

Zero-Fee mode, the default for all new TradFi accounts, charges no separate commission on trades. Instead, costs are embedded in the bid-ask spread - the gap between the buying and selling price of an instrument - making all-in pricing visible at the point of trade. Bybit describes this as a long-term product feature rather than a promotional offer, applying across more than 200 tradable assets including gold, silver, stock CFDs, indices, and FX pairs.

How Tight-Spread Mode Works

Tight-Spread mode is aimed at more active traders who prioritise precise execution over simplified pricing. Under this structure, spreads on instruments such as XAUUSD (gold priced in US dollars) are narrower - closer to institutional levels - but a separate per-trade commission is charged explicitly. This approach aligns with standard FX brokerage practice and suits traders who manage multiple positions and want lower spread costs relative to their trading volume.

Switching from Zero-Fee to Tight-Spread mode requires a minimum TradFi deposit of 3,000 USDT (or equivalent) and no open positions or pending orders at the time of the switch. The change can be made directly within the Bybit mobile app or web platform. Both modes run on MetaTrader 5 (MT5), an industry-standard execution platform widely used in FX and CFD brokerage worldwide.

Gold Products Available Through TradFi

The zero-fee pricing structure applies across a broad range of gold-related instruments. Users can access traditional FX-style gold pairs including XAUUSD, XAUEUR, and XAUJPY, alongside silver equivalents such as XAGUSD. In parallel, Bybit's precious metals campaign - running through April 30, 2026 - adds spot trading of tokenised gold instruments such as XAUT/USDT, futures contracts including XAUTUSDT and PAXGUSDT, and a structured product called XAUT0 Alpha.

All gold and silver instruments are accessible from a single USDT account, simplifying capital management across different types of gold exposure. Bybit positions this range as a bridge between digital asset markets and established commodities markets - a combination that is particularly relevant in the UAE, where gold carries strong cultural significance and retail investment demand remains consistently high.

Safe-Haven Demand and the Retail Opportunity

The launch timing aligns with heightened retail interest in gold as a safe-haven asset - one perceived to preserve value during periods of economic uncertainty or inflation. Industry commentary cited alongside Bybit's precious metals campaign notes that tokenised gold has become an appealing complement to crypto portfolios as macro uncertainty drives investors toward more stable, inflation-resistant assets.

For UAE-based retail investors, the zero-fee model competes with bullion ETFs (exchange-traded funds that track gold prices and trade on stock exchanges), local gold brokers, and bank-based gold savings accounts. The all-in spread pricing under Zero-Fee mode removes a common barrier for first-time traders in this asset class. The broader product range - spanning tokenised, derivatives-based, and FX-style gold instruments - adds flexibility that traditional retail channels do not always offer.

New-User Promotion and Onboarding Incentives

Alongside the structural fee changes, Bybit is running a promotional deposit trading event for new TradFi users. Eligible participants who deposit and trade may qualify for rewards with a maximum individual payout of 5,030 USDT, subject to campaign terms and conditions. The event is designed to accelerate onboarding into the new account modes and encourage first-time participation in gold, silver, FX, and stock index markets.

Users should review the full terms carefully, as reward eligibility is subject to specific deposit and trading thresholds. The promotional event runs concurrently with the broader precious metals campaign, which is timed to coincide with what Bybit describes as renewed investor strength in precious metals markets globally.

What Clients are Asking their Advisors

What is Bybit TradFi and how does it differ from Bybit's crypto exchange?

Bybit TradFi is a section of the Bybit platform that provides access to traditional financial instruments - including gold, forex, and stock CFDs - rather than cryptocurrencies. It runs on MetaTrader 5 infrastructure and is powered by Infra Capital, a firm licensed by the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius. Unlike the crypto exchange, TradFi is not available in all regions, so UAE users should confirm eligibility before opening an account.

How do I switch from Zero-Fee mode to Tight-Spread mode on Bybit TradFi?

You can switch account modes within the TradFi section of the Bybit app or web platform, provided you have deposited at least 3,000 USDT in your TradFi account and hold no open positions or pending orders at the time of the change. Zero-Fee mode is the default for all new accounts, and switching to Tight-Spread mode is optional depending on your trading style and volume.

Is zero-fee gold trading on Bybit TradFi genuinely free, or are costs built in elsewhere?

Zero-Fee mode does not charge a separate commission, but costs are not eliminated - they are embedded in the bid-ask spread on each instrument. Bybit's help centre describes this as a spread-embedded pricing model, meaning the all-in cost is visible at the point of trade but is not zero. This simplifies fee management for beginners without removing trading costs entirely.

Is Bybit TradFi regulated for UAE residents who want to trade gold?

Bybit holds a full Virtual Asset Platform Operator licence from the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and provisional approval from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), giving it dual regulatory coverage across UAE jurisdictions. However, the TradFi product itself is powered by Infra Capital, which is separately licensed in Mauritius. UAE residents should review Bybit's eligibility disclosures and terms carefully before trading traditional financial instruments through the platform.