Question 1

What is Al-Fardan Q9 and what is its legal structure?

Accepted Answer

Al-Fardan Q9 is the institutional digital-asset division of the Al-Fardan Group. It operates through the group entities Alfardan Holdings Limited (DIFC Reg #5605) and Alfardan PTC Holding Limited (DIFC Reg #5598), with digital-asset infrastructure provided by our VARA-licensed partner Fuze (Morpheus Software Technology FZE, VL/23/10/002). The parent Al-Fardan Exchange has been CBUAE-regulated since 1971.

Question 2

Where is Al-Fardan Q9 based?

Accepted Answer

Al-Fardan Q9 is based in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) at The Onyx Tower 2, The Greens, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Question 3

Who regulates Al-Fardan Q9?

Accepted Answer

Our digital-asset infrastructure is VARA-licensed via our partner Fuze (VL/23/10/002). Al-Fardan Q9 is DIFC-registered, and the parent Al-Fardan Exchange has been CBUAE-regulated since 1971. Registration is not the same as a direct licence — we are transparent about this layered structure.

Question 4

How can I verify your licences and registrations?

Accepted Answer

You can verify everything at the source: the VARA public register for licence VL/23/10/002 (Morpheus Software Technology FZE / Fuze), and the DIFC public register for registration numbers #5605 and #5598. See our Licenses page for the full detail and links.

Question 5

Who leads Al-Fardan Q9, and who makes investment decisions?

Accepted Answer

Al-Fardan Q9 operates under the Al-Fardan Group governance framework with founding-family oversight and an experienced executive team. The platform is execution-only: investment decisions are made by clients themselves. See our Leadership page for profiles.

Question 6

Who holds client assets?

Accepted Answer

Client assets are held on a fully segregated, 1:1 basis in segregated MPC custody and are not commingled with corporate funds. Roughly 95% of assets are kept in cold storage.

Question 7

What technology is used to secure assets?

Accepted Answer

We use MPC-CMP wallet technology, which distributes private keys across multiple parties so there is no single point of failure, together with a policy engine and real-time transaction monitoring.

Question 8

What is the difference between custody and staking?

Accepted Answer

Custody means assets are held securely without participating in network activity. Staking means assets help validate a Proof-of-Stake network and earn rewards for securing it.

Question 9

Is my collateral re-used or lent out?

Accepted Answer

No. Collateral is held in a segregated, multi-signature MPC wallet. It is not re-hypothecated or lent to third parties.

Question 10

Are client assets insured?

Accepted Answer

Custodied assets are covered up to policy limits under a Lloyd's of London digital-asset crime and custody policy (SY-2025-49881) with a USD 250M aggregate limit. Coverage is subject to the policy terms and is not unlimited.

Question 11

What does the insurance not cover?

Accepted Answer

Typical exclusions apply, including loss from market volatility, regulatory fines or penalties, and (unless specifically endorsed) smart-contract vulnerabilities or staking activities. The certificate and exact terms can be provided to qualified counterparties on request.

Question 12

Is Al-Fardan Q9 Sharia-compliant?

Accepted Answer

Our products are reviewed by an independent Sharia Supervisory Board chaired by Sheikh Dr. Tariq Al-Mahrouqi, who serves on the AAOIFI Sharia Board. Per-asset rulings and methodology are documented in our Shariah Reports.

Question 13

Which assets are Sharia-compliant?

Accepted Answer

Assets are assessed individually. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and Polygon are treated as compliant; some others remain under review. Full per-asset assessments are on our Shariah Reports page.

Question 14

How is staking Sharia-compliant?

Accepted Answer

Staking rewards are compensation for participating in network security — a service — rather than interest (riba). This structure has been reviewed by our Sharia Supervisory Board.

Question 15

How is the lending Sharia-compliant?

Accepted Answer

Lending uses a Murabaha-based structure where charges are service fees for facilitating the financing, not interest. All lending structures are reviewed by the Sharia Supervisory Board.

Question 16

What staking yields can I expect?

Accepted Answer

Yields are indicative and variable. Ethereum offers up to around 5.2% APY net of our validator fee, with higher rates on some Proof-of-Stake assets. Rewards credit daily. We do not guarantee returns.

Question 17

Which networks are supported for staking?

Accepted Answer

Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Polygon (POL), Cardano (ADA), Polkadot (DOT), Avalanche (AVAX), and Cosmos (ATOM). Bitcoin does not support staking, as it is Proof-of-Work.

Question 18

Are there lock-ups on staking?

Accepted Answer

There are no lock-up periods on our staking products; your assets remain accessible (network unbonding times still apply where the protocol requires them).

Question 19

What is the Private Heritage Vault?

Accepted Answer

It is our institutional lending platform. Clients pledge Bitcoin or Ethereum as collateral and receive liquidity in USD, AED, or EUR. Collateral is held 1:1 in segregated MPC cold storage.

Question 20

Can I borrow against my Bitcoin or Ethereum?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Murabaha-structured credit lines against BTC and ETH collateral, up to 75% loan-to-value, with no prepayment penalty. Pricing is indicative (low single-digit APR for longer terms); final terms depend on collateral and mandate.

Question 21

What are the minimum pledge amounts?

Accepted Answer

Indicatively, from 0.5 BTC or 10 ETH. For smaller amounts, contact our team for a tailored solution.

Question 22

Is there a lock-up, and can I repay early?

Accepted Answer

There is no lock-up period, and early repayment is available without penalty.

Question 23

How does liquidation work?

Accepted Answer

If collateral value falls below the liquidation threshold, the system issues a margin call. You have a window (typically 24 hours) to add collateral or reduce the balance before any liquidation, executed transparently via our MPC custody.

Question 24

How does the OTC desk work?

Accepted Answer

The desk provides private execution for block trades from USD 1M and above, with firm two-way quotes and minimal slippage. The flow is: contact the desk, receive a firm quote, confirm, execute, and settle.

Question 25

What is the OTC settlement time?

Accepted Answer

Crypto settles same-day (T+0) and fiat by wire on T+1, typically within 24 hours of confirmation.

Question 26

How do I contact the OTC desk?

Accepted Answer

Reach the institutional desk through the contact page or your relationship manager. All communication is encrypted and audited for compliance.

Question 27

What is AlfaBridge?

Accepted Answer

AlfaBridge is a new service on Al Fardan Q9 that lets you convert your crypto (BTC, ETH, SOL, USDT, USDC) into local currency and send it directly to any bank account. It's a crypto-to-cash bridge — cheaper and faster than Western Union.

Question 28

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

The fee is 1.5% all-in. This includes the crypto swap, the conversion to local currency, and the bank transfer. No hidden fees, no bad exchange rates.

Question 29

How long does it take?

Accepted Answer

Settlement takes 24-48 hours. The crypto swap is instant, but the final bank payout depends on the local payment network (e.g., InstaPay in Egypt, CliQ in Jordan).

Question 30

What cryptocurrencies can I send?

Accepted Answer

BTC, ETH, SOL, USDT, and USDC.

Question 31

What currencies can I withdraw?

Accepted Answer

USD, EUR, AED, GBP, EGP, JOD, LBP. More currencies coming soon.

Question 32

Is AlfaBridge Shariah-compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. No interest (Riba) is charged. All swaps are structured as spot trades, not loans. Certified by AAOIFI.

Question 33

Do I need to complete KYC?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but it depends on the amount. Under $1,000: Name, email, phone — instant. $1,000 – $2,500: Government ID + AML check — 15-30 min. Over $2,500: Proof of Address + Source of Funds — 24-48 hrs.

Question 34

How is AlfaBridge different from Western Union?

Accepted Answer

Western Union charges 5-7% (hidden) and takes 1-5 days, and you can only send cash. AlfaBridge charges 1.5% all-in, settles in 24-48 hours, and lets you send BTC, ETH, SOL, USDT, or USDC.

Question 35

What is the Gold Reserve Program?

Accepted Answer

The Gold Reserve Program allows investors to subscribe using BTC or ETH to acquire allocated physical gold held in Dubai. It offers quarterly distributions, a 5-7% target annual return, and a 36-month term.

Question 36

What has changed?

Accepted Answer

We have updated the program to make it more accessible and transparent. The minimum stays at $150,000 (unchanged), the 36-month term is unchanged, and Lloyd's insurance is unchanged. Subscriptions can now be funded in BTC, ETH, or a defined mix of both (previously BTC or ETH only), and quarterly distributions now come with clearer reporting.

Question 37

What is the minimum commitment?

Accepted Answer

The minimum commitment remains $150,000 equivalent, funded in BTC, ETH, or a defined mix of both.

Question 38

What is the target return?

Accepted Answer

The program targets 5-7% annual cash distributions, before any gold-price appreciation or depreciation.

Question 39

How are distributions paid?

Accepted Answer

Distributions are paid quarterly. Investors may elect distributions in USD equivalent, BTC equivalent, ETH equivalent, or reinvestment into the program.

Question 40

Is the gold physically stored in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The allocated physical bullion is held through a Dubai-based custody structure, with LBMA good-delivery bullion (999.9 fine).

Question 41

What are the exit options?

Accepted Answer

Investors may elect cash settlement, BTC or ETH settlement, rollover, or in-kind physical redemption (subject to bar size and delivery conditions).

Question 42

Is the Gold Reserve Program Shariah-compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The program is structured to be fully Shariah-compliant and is overseen by our AAOIFI-certified team.

Question 43

How do I subscribe?

Accepted Answer

You can subscribe using BTC only, ETH only, or a pre-agreed mix of both, provided the total subscription equals at least $150,000 equivalent at the execution window.

Question 44

How do I open an account?

Accepted Answer

Start via the contact page and our team will guide you through onboarding, document upload, and KYC verification.

Question 45

What KYC documents are required?

Accepted Answer

For institutional clients: entity certificates, ultimate-beneficial-owner identification, and source-of-funds declarations. For individuals: personal identification and proof of wealth.

Question 46

How long does onboarding take?

Accepted Answer

Standard KYC is typically 24–48 hours. Complex structures (multi-layered entities, trusts, foundations) may take 3–5 business days.

Question 47

What is the minimum to start?

Accepted Answer

The institutional tier starts at USD 100,000 equivalent and the individual tier at USD 10,000. Starter Access (USD 3,000–9,999) is available for smaller portfolios with tailored limits.

Question 48

What are the fees, and are there withdrawal fees?

Accepted Answer

Pricing is indicative and volume-based, disclosed before execution, with no hidden charges. There are no platform withdrawal fees; on-chain network (gas) fees are passed through at cost.

Question 49

How do I reach your team, and is support available 24/7?

Accepted Answer

Our client-service team is available 24/7 via the website and your relationship manager for onboarding, OTC trades, KYC, and any other inquiries. All conversations are encrypted and handled in line with DIFC data-protection law.

Frequently AskedQuestions.

Company & Regulation

Custody & Security

Insurance

Sharia Compliance

Staking

Lending — Private Heritage Vault

OTC Desk

AlfaBridge

Gold Reserve Program

Onboarding, Fees & Support

Still Have

Questions?