3iQ Wins Approval From Abu Dhabi Financial Centre for UAE Unit

Canadian digital asset investment firm 3iQ Corp. announced that its UAE-based affiliate, 3iQ Middle East Ltd, has received in-principal approval for a Category 4 license from Abu Dhabi's International Financial Centre, marking a significant regulatory milestone for the Toronto-headquartered company's expansion into the Middle East.

The in-principal approval signals that regulators have broadly accepted the firm's application and business model, with full licensing expected to follow upon satisfaction of remaining conditions. Category 4 licenses in Abu Dhabi's financial regulatory framework typically permit firms to arrange and advise on financial products and services, positioning 3iQ Middle East to serve institutional and sophisticated investors in the Gulf region.

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3iQ has positioned itself as an early mover in bringing regulated cryptocurrency and digital asset products to mainstream investors, having previously launched some of Canada's first publicly traded bitcoin and ether funds. The Abu Dhabi foothold represents a strategic push to capture growing institutional demand for digital assets across the Gulf Cooperation Council states, where sovereign wealth funds and family offices have shown increasing interest in blockchain-based investments.

The Middle East has become a competitive arena for global digital asset managers seeking regulatory legitimacy in jurisdictions that have moved aggressively to attract crypto and blockchain businesses. Abu Dhabi, alongside Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, has worked to position the UAE as a global hub for the sector. 3iQ's regulatory win adds to a growing list of international firms securing footholds in the emirate.

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