Bitcoin Fund breaks new ground in Middle East with debut on Nasdaq Dubai

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A representation of virtual currency Bitcoin is seen in front of a stock graph in this illustration taken March 15, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration//File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
DUBAI, June 23 (Reuters) - The Bitcoin Fund (QBTCu.TO), opens new tab debuted on the Nasdaq Dubai on Wednesday, becoming the Middle East's first listed cryptocurrency fund.
The fund, which was listed by Canadian digital asset management firm 3iQ on the Toronto Stock Exchange last year, has roughly $1.5 billion in assets under management and plans to double that next year. read more
"With the listing of the Bitcoin Fund, it's going to give people access in the region to this fund on the Dubai exchange in the hours that the Dubai exchange trades at," Frederick Pye, the chief executive officer of 3iQ, told Reuters.
"If the volumes are significant, we'll be looking to raise capital to increase the size of the Bitcoin Fund here in Dubai and we will continue to issue shares based on the demand that comes from the region," Pye said in an interview.
The listing will help satisfy demand for investment diversification in the region, as well as environmental, social and governance (ESG) needs, such as for pension funds and family offices, Pye said.
Dalma Capital, a Dubai-based alternative investment firm, was lead arranger for the Nasdaq Dubai listing. Corporate finance advisor 01 Capital and investment firm Razlin Capital, both based in London, advised on the listing and Pinsent Masons was legal counsel for the listing process.
"Today's secondary listing of existing units from Canada was met with very strong demand, which has validated the need for an additional offering to satisfy the demand from regional investors," said Zachary Cefaratti, CEO of Dalma Capital, declining to say when that could be.
Pye acknowledged that China's recent crackdown on mining cryptocurrencies has hit digital currency prices, but he said the timing of that move would help those who bought into the Dubai listing.
"We're very excited because when we hit an all-time high, our investors and our clients and our friends will have doubled their money," Pye added.

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Reporting by Jacob Greaves and Abdel Hadi Ramahi; Writing by Yousef Saba; Editing by Alexander Smith

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Yousef covers Middle East energy out of Dubai, paying close attention to Gulf state oil giants, their roles in the ambitious region's transformational plans and the shift to green energy. He previously covered Gulf financial and economic news, with a focus on the fast-growing capital markets there. He joined Reuters in 2018 in Cairo, where he covered Egypt and Sudan, including its uprising. He previously had stints at a local paper in Cairo and in D.C. as an intern at Politico during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

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