3iQ wins in-principle approval for Category 4 license in Abu Dhabi

3iQ Corp. is one step closer to running a regulated business in Abu Dhabi. On October 12, 2026, the crypto investment manager announced that its UAE-based subsidiary, 3iQ Middle East Ltd, received in-principle approval for a Category 4 license. The green light comes from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Full operational permissions will depend on 3iQ Middle East meeting additional regulatory conditions. What a Category 4 license actually covers A Category 4 license allows 3iQ Middle East to act in an advisory role. It also permits the firm to provide non-discretionary investment arrangements, meaning the advisor can recommend and arrange deals, but the client retains the final say on what gets bought or sold. 3iQ frames the approval as part of a broader strategy to establish regulated operations in key digital asset markets around the world, viewing its Abu Dhabi entry as a vital piece of serving accredited investors globally. The Further partnership and a $100 million head start The license news did not arrive in isolation. It follows a strategic partnership between 3iQ and Further, a local digital asset investment manager. The ...