3iQ Middle East Wins In-Principle Approval for Abu Dhabi License
3iQ's UAE arm secured in-principle approval for a Category 4 license from Abu Dhabi's IFC, expanding the Canadian firm's digital asset footprint in the Gulf.
Canadian digital asset investment firm 3iQ Corp. announced Monday that its UAE subsidiary, 3iQ Middle East Ltd., has received in-principle approval (IPA) for a Category 4 financial services license from Abu Dhabi's International Financial Centre, marking a significant step in the firm's regional expansion strategy.
3iQ, headquartered in Toronto, describes itself as a global pioneer in digital asset investment solutions. The in-principle approval signals regulatory confidence in the company's compliance framework and positions the firm to formally operate within one of the Middle East's most closely watched financial hubs.
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Abu Dhabi has moved aggressively in recent years to establish itself as a destination for regulated digital asset businesses, and approvals of this kind reflect broader Gulf efforts to attract institutional-grade crypto and blockchain firms. A Category 4 license under the Abu Dhabi Global Market framework typically authorizes firms to arrange or advise on financial products rather than hold client money directly, making it a common entry point for asset managers entering the jurisdiction.
The IPA does not constitute a final license grant; the firm must still satisfy remaining regulatory conditions before receiving full authorization. Nevertheless, the development signals that 3iQ is advancing through the formal vetting process and is on track to establish a regulated presence in the UAE.
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