Singapore-based digital asset trading firm QCP Group has recently secured a full license from Abu Dhabi’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority, marking a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion into one of the world’s most ambitious crypto hubs. The license, granted under the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), allows QCP to offer a range of services including spot and derivatives trading, market making, and structured solutions for institutional and professional clients. This achievement comes on the heels of the firm already holding a Major Payment Institution license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Founder of QCP Group, Darius Sit, emphasized the strategic importance of the Abu Dhabi approval in the company’s global strategy. He highlighted the Middle East as a crucial region for digital assets and noted that the ADGM framework provides institutional clients with confidence in both security and regulatory oversight.
Abu Dhabi has positioned itself as a leading destination for crypto firms, with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) introducing one of the world’s first comprehensive frameworks for virtual assets in 2018. The emirate has since attracted exchanges, custodians, and token issuers through strict compliance standards and favorable tax policies. Major investments, such as Abu Dhabi’s MGX fund committing $2 billion to Binance, have further solidified the region’s push into digital assets.
While the licensing process in Abu Dhabi is demanding, with high fees, detailed compliance checks, and stringent governance and cybersecurity requirements, QCP’s dual licensing in Singapore and Abu Dhabi provides the company with coverage across two established financial hubs. This positioning allows QCP to bridge liquidity between Asia and the Middle East, offering clients 24-hour regulated trading.
ADGM’s chief market development Officer, Arvind Ramamurthy, welcomed QCP’s addition to the region, citing the group’s focus on regulatory compliance and digital asset innovation as aligning with the center’s goal of attracting top-tier financial institutions. QCP now joins a growing list of firms using Abu Dhabi as a base for crypto expansion, positioning itself as a leader in the sector with its commitment to meeting high regulatory standards.
As global oversight of digital assets continues to intensify, Abu Dhabi is banking on its combination of progressive regulation and institutional credibility to attract more players like QCP to its shores. This move solidifies Abu Dhabi’s position as a key player in the global crypto market, offering a gateway to the Middle East, Africa, and Asia for firms seeking strong oversight and regulatory compliance.