3iQ Secures Abu Dhabi IFC Approval for UAE Digital Asset Arm
3iQ Middle East Ltd has received in-principal approval for a Category 4 license from Abu Dhabi's International Financial Centre.
Canadian digital asset investment firm 3iQ Corp. announced Tuesday 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 Gulf region.
The in-principal approval signals that the regulator has conditionally agreed to grant the license, a standard procedural step before full authorization is issued. A Category 4 license in Abu Dhabi's financial regulatory framework typically permits firms to engage in activities related to dealing and managing financial instruments, positioning 3iQ Middle East to offer structured digital asset services to institutional and professional investors in the region.
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3iQ has positioned itself as an early mover in regulated digital asset products, having launched some of North America's first publicly traded cryptocurrency funds. Extending that regulatory footprint into the UAE reflects broader industry momentum as major financial centers across the Middle East accelerate efforts to attract cryptocurrency and blockchain-related businesses through clearer licensing pathways.
Abu Dhabi has emerged as a competitive hub for digital asset firms alongside Dubai, with both emirates developing distinct regulatory regimes designed to draw global crypto enterprises seeking compliant operating environments. 3iQ's approval adds to a growing roster of internationally recognized asset managers establishing a regulated presence in the region.
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