Coincheck Group N.V., the Nasdaq-listed digital asset firm behind one of Japan’s largest crypto exchanges, has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Canadian digital asset manager 3iQ Corp. The transaction values 3iQ at approximately $111.8 million and marks another step in Coincheck’s push to expand its institutional crypto offerings.
Under the stock purchase agreement announced Thursday, Coincheck will acquire about 97 percent of 3iQ through the issuance of 27,149,684 new Coincheck Group ordinary shares. The deal positions Coincheck to significantly broaden its reach in regulated digital asset investment products, particularly in North America.
Coincheck Group is headquartered in the Netherlands and listed on Nasdaq under the ticker CNCK. Its core business is the Coincheck exchange, a well-known crypto trading platform in Japan. By bringing 3iQ into its group, Coincheck aims to strengthen its infrastructure and product depth for institutional and professional investors.
Gary Simanson, CEO and Executive Director of Coincheck Group, said the acquisition is expected to add institutional-grade capabilities and expertise to the company’s ecosystem. He noted that traditional financial institutions are increasingly looking to include digital assets in client portfolios, creating demand for regulated and sophisticated investment solutions. Simanson also said the transaction is expected to be accretive to Coincheck’s earnings.
The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and final due diligence, with closing anticipated in the second quarter of 2026. Coincheck also plans to extend equivalent terms to 3iQ’s remaining minority shareholders. If fully exercised, this could result in the issuance of up to an additional 810,435 ordinary shares, allowing Coincheck to acquire full ownership of the asset manager.
Founded more than a decade ago, 3iQ has played a notable role in Canada’s digital asset market. It became the country’s first regulated digital asset investment fund manager in 2017 and went on to launch North America’s first major exchange-listed Bitcoin and Ether funds on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2020. More recently, the firm expanded its product lineup with Solana staking products and spot-based XRP exchange-traded funds.
The acquisition of 3iQ is Coincheck’s third strategic purchase in the past year. In October 2025, the group acquired Paris-based institutional prime brokerage Aplo SAS, followed by the purchase of staking services provider Next Finance Tech Co., Ltd. in March 2025. Together, these deals reflect a broader strategy to build an integrated digital asset platform serving both retail and institutional clients.
Coincheck said it plans to pursue revenue synergies across its growing portfolio of businesses. The strategy includes cross-selling services between 3iQ and Aplo for institutional clients, while Next Finance is expected to provide staking services across the group, including to 3iQ, Aplo, and the Coincheck exchange itself.
As regulatory clarity around digital assets continues to evolve globally, the Coincheck–3iQ deal highlights how established crypto firms are positioning themselves to meet rising institutional demand through scale, compliance, and diversified product offerings.
