3iQ bets on regulated crypto access as institutional demand heats up originally appeared on TheStreet.
Toronto-based 3iQ Digital Asset Management is betting big on making crypto assets secure, liquid, and accessible—especially for traditional investors still cautious about diving into the space. Founded in 2012 and led by CEO Pascal St-Jean, the firm has evolved from a traditional asset manager into a crypto-native player with a global footprint.
St-Jean, whose background spans open-source software and AI, saw Bitcoin early on as more than a tech novelty. “As a technologist, it clicked for me,” he said in an interview with TheStreet Roundtable. “Bitcoin made sense not just as a protocol but as an investment.” That vision aligned with 3iQ’s early interest in alternatives—years before crypto went mainstream.
In 2020, 3iQ launched the world’s first regulated Bitcoin fund listed on a major exchange after a three-year regulatory battle. Since then, the firm has expanded into exchange-traded funds and made headlines for being the first globally to integrate staking into a crypto ETF—something still unavailable in the U.S.
“ETFs are our Trojan horse,” St-Jean said. “They make crypto accessible to everyday investors while maintaining the trust institutions require.”
Today, 3iQ operates on three fronts: building ETFs for retail investors, securing proof-of-stake networks like Ethereum and Solana via validator operations, and onboarding institutions. That includes partnerships with major banks in Canada, sub-advisory work in Japan, and education initiatives for financial advisors.
“This is the first time in history where the asset is also the technology,” St-Jean explained. “TradFi investors don’t need to understand validators—they just need access they can trust.”
While 3iQ targets institutional access via ETFs and validators, firms like Ledn offer Bitcoin-backed loans in fiat and USDC—giving investors liquidity without selling their crypto.
With institutional players like BlackRock entering the fray, 3iQ is positioning itself as the go-to bridge between the decentralized future and the regulatory realities of today.
3iQ bets on regulated crypto access as institutional demand heats up first appeared on TheStreet on Jul 21, 2025
This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
