QCP Expands Global Institutional Crypto Trading with 50% Staff Growth and New Licenses
Introduction: A Strategic Global Push for Regulated Crypto Markets
In a significant move underscoring the maturation of the digital asset sector, Singapore-based trading firm QCP has announced a sweeping global expansion. The firm is positioning itself as a cornerstone for institutional crypto trading by achieving a 50% year-over-year increase in its global workforce, now standing at 157 employees. This aggressive growth strategy is complemented by a physical footprint that now spans new offices in New York, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, and Ho Chi Minh City, alongside an expanded presence in London and its Singapore headquarters. Crucially, this expansion is not merely geographical; it is built upon a foundation of regulatory compliance, with QCP securing pivotal licenses from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). These developments signal a concerted effort to meet the growing institutional demand for deep liquidity, sophisticated risk management, and, most importantly, regulated market access across all time zones.
The Expansion Blueprint: 50% Headcount Growth and Global Office Network
The most immediate indicator of QCP's ambitious strategy is its substantial investment in human capital. Growing from an unspecified number to 157 employees globally represents a 50% year-over-year increase. This scale of hiring is indicative of both strong internal confidence and responding to significant client demand. The distribution of this workforce is equally telling. With 119 personnel based in its Singapore headquarters, which has been expanded to larger premises at Prudential Tower, the firm reinforces its commitment to its home base as a central hub. The remaining staff are strategically dispersed across its new international offices.
This physical expansion into New York, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, and Ho Chi Minh City is a calculated move to embed the firm within key financial and emerging technology ecosystems. New York provides direct access to the heart of traditional finance, London offers a bridge to European markets, while Abu Dhabi positions QCP at the center of a rapidly growing Middle Eastern digital asset hub. The moves into Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City demonstrate a focus on capturing growth in Southeast Asia's vibrant crypto markets. This "on-the-ground" coverage, as described by founder Darius Sit, is essential for building trust and providing tailored service to institutional clients who operate in these specific regions.
Securing Regulatory Gateways: The MAS and ADGM Licenses
While headcount and office openings highlight operational scale, the acquisition of specific licenses forms the bedrock of QCP's institutional value proposition. The firm has secured two critical regulatory approvals:
- A Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
- A Financial Services Permission (FSP) from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
These are not mere operational permits; they are gold-standard endorsements in their respective jurisdictions. The MPI license from MAS allows QCP to conduct regulated payment services, which underpins its ability to offer secure and compliant spot trading of digital assets. This places QCP among a select group of firms operating under Singapore's rigorous regulatory framework, which has become a benchmark for clarity and security in the crypto industry.
Similarly, the FSP from ADGM grants QCP the authority to provide regulated financial services within the Abu Dhabi international financial centre. This license explicitly permits the firm to offer regulated spot trading, derivatives, and structured products. For institutions wary of unregulated offshore exchanges, these licenses provide a crucial layer of legal and operational security, ensuring that their trading activities are monitored and governed by established financial authorities.
Meeting Institutional Demand: A Full-Spectrum Trading Partner
The core driver behind this expansion is the evolving needs of institutional players entering the crypto space. As CEO Melvin Deng outlined, the strategy combines "regulated market access with trading infrastructure." This addresses a fundamental requirement for institutions: they cannot and will not engage with platforms that lack regulatory oversight or robust operational integrity.
QCP’s service suite is designed specifically for this clientele. The firm provides:
- Liquidity Access: Facilitating large-volume trades without significant market impact.
- Risk Management: Utilizing derivatives and structured products to hedge positions.
- Yield Strategies: Offering avenues for capital efficiency and return on digital asset holdings.
The company's stated client roster, which includes Nasdaq and firms backed by BlackRock like Securitize, validates its approach. Serving such established traditional finance giants requires more than just trading capability; it demands institutional-grade compliance, reporting, and security—all of which are bolstered by the newly acquired licenses.
The Competitive Landscape: QCP's Position in Institutional Crypto
The institutional crypto trading space is increasingly competitive, with players like Galaxy Digital, Genesis (prior to its restructuring), and various traditional finance entrants vying for market share. QCP’s recent moves carve out a distinct position.
Unlike many competitors that may be heavily focused on a single region (e.g., North America), QCP is executing a truly global strategy from its Singapore base. Its expansion into Abu Dhabi gives it a first-mover advantage in a region that is aggressively positioning itself as a crypto hub. Furthermore, while many firms offer OTC (over-the-counter) trading, QCP’s explicit focus on being a "full-spectrum" provider—spanning spot, options, and structured products under regulation—creates a comprehensive value proposition.
The emphasis on 24/7 coverage across global offices ensures that institutional clients have continuous access to support and execution, a critical feature in a market that never sleeps. This global, round-the-clock model directly addresses a key pain point for institutions accustomed to traditional market hours.
Conclusion: Building the Infrastructure for Crypto's Next Wave
QCP's announcement of 50% staff growth, a five-city office expansion, and dual regulatory licenses is more than just corporate news; it is a bellwether for the digital asset industry's trajectory. It signals a decisive shift from speculative retail trading towards the construction of durable, regulated infrastructure capable of supporting the world's largest financial institutions.
The strategic takeaway is clear: the future of institutional crypto adoption hinges on regulated access and global reach. By securing licenses in reputable jurisdictions like Singapore and Abu Dhabi and establishing physical presence in major financial capitals, QCP is not just expanding its own business—it is building the pipes through which institutional capital will flow into the digital asset ecosystem.
For market observers and participants, the developments at QCP highlight what to watch next: the continued convergence of traditional finance (TradFi) and crypto finance (CeFi). The involvement of clients like Nasdaq and BlackRock-backed entities is a trend that is likely to accelerate. As more institutions seek exposure, the demand for regulated, sophisticated trading partners will only grow. QCP’s latest moves position it as a leading contender to meet that demand, setting a new standard for what it means to be a global institutional crypto trading firm.