Bybit, the crypto exchange, partnered with Esports heavyweight Virtus.pro

By Joy Dumasia

Bybit, a crypto exchange growing in popularity and recognition, is rapidly expanding its esports portfolio. It brings on board a new partner, Virtus.pro (VP), one of the CIS region’s most influential and time-tested professional gaming clubs, with a global reach.

Founded in 2003, VP is the most prestigious pro league in its native Russia, dominating its most popular game DOTA 2, with 25.6 million viewing hours in 2020. VP teams’ achievements in nearly two decades have been rewarded an awe-inspiring $16m in prize money globally. With the latest addition of VP, the sponsorships will get the Bybit name across to a combined global fanbase of over 28.7 million.

Bybit is having its own “Grand Slam” moment in building esports clout. The crypto exchange branched out to the competitive gaming community in 2021 and has struck four high-profile esports partnership deals to date.

The outfits captivate global audiences with the most coveted divisions and athletes in this genre, winning international tournaments and championships in virtually every popular video game on the planet. As of Aug. 25, Bybit’s esports portfolio cover three out of the top five teams in the CS:GO World Ranking, according to HLTV.org.

Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit, said: “The coming of age of esports is testament to technology’s ability to touch our lives, redefine entertainment and inspire our imagination in only a few decades. Crypto and its underlying technologies tell a similar tale – the potential of digital assets has transformed our thinking of value and wealth. We are witnessing only the beginning of profound changes for generations to come. Esports is now as much a spectator sport as it’s a participation sport, and WSOT will also be such an occasion for crypto lovers everywhere. We want to build an arena where anyone who believes in crypto and enjoys trading can achieve their personal best.”