Monex Bets Big on Crypto's Institutional Future with Near-Total 3iQ Takeover

Monex Group Inc., a leading Japanese online broker, has significantly increased its stake in 3iQ Digital Holdings Inc., a Canadian cryptocurrency asset management firm, bringing its ownership to 97.8% through a series of strategic investments. The latest move, involving approximately 5 billion yen (45.84 million Canadian dollars), follows an initial investment in April 2024 of about $46.28 million, which secured a 77.2% voting stake in the company. Monex's continued investment aims to strengthen its position in the rapidly expanding institutional crypto asset management market and drive further revenue growth.

The Japanese firm’s acquisition of 3iQ aligns with its broader strategy to expand its footprint in the digital assets sector and capitalize on growing demand from institutional investors for crypto-related financial services. 3iQ, a key player in the Canadian crypto space, has established itself as a leader in regulated crypto asset management and product innovation. Monex plans to leverage 3iQ’s expertise to deepen its offerings in the digital asset market and potentially achieve full ownership of the subsidiary in the future.

The move by Monex reflects broader trends in the institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies, as global financial institutions increasingly seek to integrate digital assets into their investment and treasury strategies. This trend is supported by evolving regulatory frameworks, including recent stablecoin-related legislation in several jurisdictions, which have provided a clearer path for institutional participation in the crypto market. According to analysts, regulatory clarity is a critical enabler of institutional investment, reducing uncertainty and allowing for greater capital allocation to digital assets.

Monex’s strategy is not an isolated example of institutional interest in crypto assets. Several other companies have made significant moves to build exposure to digital assets through treasury purchases and strategic investments. These include CEA Industries, K Wave Media, Cipher Mining, and AsiaStrategy, all of which are integrating cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum into their corporate treasuries and operational models. These firms are tapping into the growing institutional crypto buying spree, with many planning to expand their digital asset holdings significantly in the coming years.

The institutionalization of crypto markets is also evident in the performance of crypto ETFs, which have attracted substantial net inflows. By August 2025, crypto ETFs had drawn over $28 billion in net inflows, signaling a shift from speculative retail participation to long-term institutional allocation. This trend is further supported by the development of stablecoin infrastructure, which now exceeds $277.8 billion in total supply. Stablecoins are playing an increasingly critical role in cross-border payments and treasury management, creating new use cases for institutional investors.

The institutional push into crypto markets is not without challenges, including the need for robust compliance frameworks and risk management strategies. However, the growing number of institutional participants indicates that the market is maturing and moving toward greater standardization and transparency. Monex’s acquisition of 3iQ is a strategic step in this direction, positioning the company to benefit from the ongoing evolution of the crypto asset management industry.

Source: [1] Monex Acquires Additional Stake in Canadian Crypto (https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2025090400532/)