Bybit vs OKX on Telegram Ads#

Bybit and OKX are two of the highest-volume crypto exchange advertisers in the Telegram Ads Spy channel pool, and represent contrasting approaches to market positioning in 2026: Bybit leads with derivatives and performance trading, while OKX leads with Web3 ecosystem and wallet integration. Their Telegram campaigns reflect this strategic divergence clearly.

At a Glance#

Bybit — The Derivatives Specialist#

Bybit launched in 2018 with a focus on crypto derivatives and has maintained that identity even as it expanded to spot trading, copy trading, and Web3 products. Its Telegram advertising reflects a performance-first approach: the archive shows the highest creative refresh rate of any exchange except 1xBet.

Core messaging pillars:

• Derivatives volume leadership — "The world's second-largest crypto exchange by derivatives volume" appears in multiple Bybit creatives in 2025-2026. This is a specific, verifiable claim that targets traders who care about liquidity depth and execution quality.
• Leverage hooks — "Trade BTC with up to 100x leverage" is the highest-frequency CTA across Bybit's archive. Leverage claims appear across geographies, though specific multiples vary by jurisdiction: UAE/SEA creatives use higher numbers than EU creatives.
• Copy trading promotion — Bybit's Bybit Copy Trading product (follow top traders, automatic execution) appears prominently in mid-tier trader segments. The angle: "Top traders make money. Now you can automatically copy their moves."
• Launchpad and new listings — Bybit Launchpad new token launches appear frequently during bull market phases. Creatives for specific token launch windows drive short-burst, high-volume campaign pushes.
• Fee competitive claims — Maker fee comparisons against Binance (0.1% → 0.02%) appear in creatives targeting cost-conscious high-frequency traders.
• Bybit Card — The Bybit Visa card appears in 2025-2026 creatives for SEA and MENA markets, broadening appeal beyond pure traders.

Geographic pattern: Bybit's Telegram spend is dominated by RU-language channels (historically their strongest market pre-2022, now maintained via independent entities), TR (Turkey, where crypto derivatives demand is high), and EN-language SEA channels. The IN market (India) has grown significantly in 2025 as Bybit pursues regulatory standing there.

OKX — The Web3 Ecosystem Play#

OKX began rebranding from OKEx in 2022, and the brand shift is fully visible in Telegram creative strategy by 2024-2026: OKX is not just an exchange but a Web3 platform encompassing exchange, wallet, DEX, NFT marketplace, and DeFi access.

Core messaging pillars:

• OKX Wallet as the centerpiece — OKX's Telegram campaigns frequently feature the OKX Wallet (non-custodial, multi-chain, 80+ networks) separately from the exchange. This dual-product positioning captures both CeFi traders and DeFi users.
• Web3 gateway messaging — "Trade, earn, explore Web3 — all in one place" captures OKX's attempt to position as infrastructure for the entire crypto lifecycle, not just a trading venue.
• ZK and technology leadership — OKX's investment in ZK-proof technology and its X Layer (OKB-powered EVM L2) appear in developer and infrastructure-adjacent creatives.
• Sports sponsorship amplification — OKX's partnerships with Manchester City FC, McLaren F1, and other premium sports properties generate creative content that runs in sports and mainstream-adjacent channels, not just crypto channels. This is unique among crypto exchange Telegram advertisers.
• Regulatory compliance positioning — OKX highlights EU MiCA registration, Malta VASP license, and Dubai VARA approval in compliance-sensitive market creatives.
• OKB token utility — OKB staking for fee discounts and OKX Jumpstart (IEO platform) access appear in token-economy creatives targeting yield-seeking holders.

Geographic pattern: OKX's deepest Telegram presence is in ZH-diaspora channels (historical OKEx user base), KR (significant K-crypto community), and EN global. The sports partnership angle generates unusually strong creative presence in football-focused channels across Europe and Latin America — a segment Bybit does not pursue on Telegram.

Head-to-Head Creative Analysis#

Product focus:

• Bybit: derivatives, leverage, high-frequency performance
• OKX: ecosystem breadth, Web3 integration, non-custodial options

Audience positioning:

• Bybit: active traders who measure performance in P&L
• OKX: crypto participants at multiple lifecycle stages (newcomer → power user → DeFi participant)

New user acquisition:

• Bybit leads with bonus campaigns ("deposit $100, get $XX in trading rewards")
• OKX leads with feature discovery ("try OKX Wallet — 80+ chains, no KYC")

Geographic divergence:

• Bybit stronger: RU/CIS, TR, IN, SEA derivatives-first markets
• OKX stronger: ZH diaspora, KR, EU-regulated markets, sports-fandom channels

Creative volume:

• Bybit runs more creatives overall (~120 vs ~100) with higher weekly refresh rate
• OKX runs fewer but more diverse creative types (exchange, wallet, sports, Web3)

Compliance and Regulatory Context#

Both exchanges operate in regulatory grey zones in several major markets:

Bybit: Withdrew from the UK and other EU markets under regulatory pressure in 2023, though EN-language creatives targeting global audiences continue. In 2025, Bybit pursued UAE VARA licensing and several SEA registrations.

OKX: Secured MiCA-ready registration in Malta and EU markets. The McLaren/Man City partnerships were partly driven by brand rehabilitation in regulated markets where pure product advertising faces restrictions.

In the Telegram Ads Spy archive, OKX creatives in EU-targeted channels more frequently include regulatory mentions; Bybit EU creatives tend to focus on product features without explicit regulatory framing.

Archive Data#

Browse all crypto exchange creatives in the Telegram Ads Spy archive:

View exchange ads

Telegram Ads Spy Research — April 2026 — CC-BY-4.0 Data sourced from Telegram Ads Spy monitored channel pool. Creative counts are estimates. No affiliation with Bybit or OKX.

Continue your research#

• Live creatives — compare indexed sponsored messages side by side: Crypto Exchanges vs Bybit in the Telegram Ads Spy archive.
• Related profiles — Bybit.
• Directories — advertisers · niches · channels.