After withstanding the largest crypto hacks, Bybit has announced a $1 million investment in EthicHub, a blockchain-based platform dedicated to empowering smallholder coffee farmers in emerging markets.
Unveiled on February 24, 2025, this impactful move underscores the cryptocurrency exchange’s resilience and its commitment to leveraging blockchain technology for social good.
As the world’s second-largest crypto exchange by trading volume, Bybit is channelling this investment through its Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA), a program it launched in April 2024 to tackle real-world challenges with innovative solutions.
Empowering coffee farmers with the ‘Bybit Pool’
The collaboration with EthicHub, a standout project within the BGA Incubation Programme and the Grand Social Impact Award winner at the BGA Web3 Oscar event, aims to transform agricultural finance by providing fair financial services to rural farming communities.
Notably, with this funding, Bybit is reinforcing its vision that blockchain can bridge economic gaps, offering both transformative social benefits and sustainable profitability.
At the heart of the investment lies the creation of the “Bybit Pool,” a dedicated fund designed to operate exclusively within EthicHub’s ecosystem.
This initiative targets small and medium-sized coffee farmers who have long struggled with exploitative lending practices and limited access to fair credit.
By providing ethical credit lines, the fund seeks to break these cycles of financial hardship, enabling farmers to secure loans without exorbitant interest rates.
The result promises to be a boost in productivity, access to premium prices for their coffee, and greater resilience against economic downturns.
In return, the exchange will earn an 8% annual return over a 15-month term, showcasing the viability of blending social impact with financial growth.
In a press release shared with media houses, Helen Liu, Bybit’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the broader implications of this move.
“Blockchain has the power to unlock new financial opportunities for those historically excluded from traditional banking systems,” she said.
Our investment in EthicHub reinforces Bybit’s dedication to using innovation for real-world impact, proving that blockchain can be both profitable and transformative.”
A game-changer for rural communities
EthicHub’s approach to agricultural finance integrates ethical lending, blended funding sources, and improved market relationships, making it a pioneer in its field.
The $1 million infusion from Bybit will amplify these efforts, allowing farmers to mechanize their operations, adopt sustainable practices, and tap into global markets, opportunities that were previously out of reach due to financial constraints.
For years, small coffee growers have faced challenges like unfair pricing and predatory loans, often rendering sustainable farming nearly impossible.
This partnership aims to rewrite that narrative.
Gabriela Chang, EthicHub’s Chief Services Officer and co-founder, hailed the investment as a turning point saying, “Bybit’s commitment is a game-changer for our mission. This will directly support smallholder coffee farmers, enabling them to increase productivity, access fair financing, and secure better market opportunities. It’s an example of how blockchain can create real-world solutions for pressing global challenges.”
Notably, LendingDev, the operator of EthicHub, will ensure transparency by delivering quarterly performance updates to stakeholders, keeping the fund’s progress in clear view.
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