Bitcoin Suisse has completed another step in its international expansion after getting full regulatory approval to provide digital asset financial services in Abu Dhabi, building on the Bermuda licences it received earlier this year.

The Switzerland-based crypto financial services provider said its subsidiary, BTCS (Middle East) Ltd, has received permission from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market, allowing it to offer its services to clients across the United Arab Emirates.

The approval follows Bermuda Monetary Authority authorisation granted in May to Bitcoin Suisse (International) Ltd, the group's Bermudian-based affiliate. The company received a Class F licence under the Digital Asset Business Act and a Class B registration under the Investment Business Act, subject to customary conditions before launching.

At the time, Bitcoin Suisse said its Bermuda entity would serve as an international platform for digital asset investment advisory and portfolio management for clients outside Switzerland. The company also noted that it had received in-principle approval in Abu Dhabi.

The latest approval completes that licensing process and allows the Abu Dhabi operation to start offering regulated digital asset trading, institutional-grade custody and services to help professional investors manage and hedge their digital asset exposure.

Bitcoin Suisse said it safeguards about $3.7 billion in crypto assets and is the world's fourth-largest staking operator. Founded in 2013, it provides trading, custody, staking and lending services for institutional investors, family offices, asset managers and high-net-worth clients across Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the UAE and Bermuda.

Ceyda Majcen, chief executive of BTCS Middle East, said: “Receiving the FSP from the FSRA is a major milestone in our international growth strategy.

“The authorisation reflects more than a decade of experience building resilient infrastructure, risk frameworks and trusted client relationships. We are excited to bring our unique combination of institutional-grade capabilities and highly personalised service to the UAE.”

The company said the Abu Dhabi operation is also expected to support access to tokenised real-world assets as that market develops.

In May, Andrej Majcen, group CEO, said institutional investors increasingly view digital assets as a permanent part of their portfolios and require providers that combine crypto expertise with the governance standards of traditional banks.