Animoca Steps Into UAE Web3 Leadership After ADGM Approval
- Animoca gains ADGM approval, opening structured routes for Web3 fund activity.
- New UAE licenses advance its regional strategy and expand regulated digital access.
- Rising global demand for clear pathways drives its pursuit of broader market entry.
Animoca Brands received in-principle approval from Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), giving the firm a regulated path to manage collective investment funds from within the international financial center. The approval strengthens its expansion strategy in the Middle East and follows earlier regional licensing milestones.
The company plans to meet capital and compliance requirements before securing its full license as it builds regulated channels for institutional access to Web3 assets.
Regional Licensing Momentum
Animoca Brands expanded its presence across the Middle East as regulators advanced new rules for digital assets. The company already operates in Dubai, giving it proximity to markets that support Web3 adoption. It also received in-principle approval for a crypto brokerage license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority in October. This created regulated access to trading services in another major hub.
Leaders at ADGM described the new approval as a core step toward full permission for Animoca. Arvind Ramaurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, said the decision reflected their intent to support companies that operate within a trusted regulatory environment. His statement aligned with the region’s broader goal to foster compliant digital asset activity.
Executives at Animoca pointed to the UAE’s rapid growth in Web3 activity. Omar Elassar, the firm’s Managing Director for the Middle East, said the approval matched the company’s strategy to build regulated pathways for institutional participation. He also noted that the region’s rising interest in digital assets supported more structured investment opportunities.
Building Institutional Pathways
Animoca Brands has over 600 Web3 investments under its care. This brings the company to the forefront of the industry as one of the most active investors. Its portfolio consists of video games, infrastructure, tokenized platforms, and digital property rights.
ADGM’s endorsement gives Animoca a structure within which to enhance its investment activities. It also encourages the transformation of real assets into tokens; one such project is a limited partnership fund that works with the XRP Ledger. This fund was developed with DL Holdings, a Hong Kong–listed company, and represents another step in Animoca’s broader shift toward regulated digital asset products.
The company also plans to pursue a Nasdaq listing through a reverse acquisition with Currenc Group. It targets a valuation of $1 billion as part of its return to public markets.
Related: Animoca to Launch First HKD Stablecoin with SCB and HKT
UAE’s Expanding Web3 Ecosystem
The UAE continued to attract global Web3 companies. Clear rules and licensing pathways created significant momentum for firms seeking compliant growth. Animoca Brands anchored its strategy in Abu Dhabi and Dubai as more investors looked for regulated access.
Yat Siu, the chairperson of the firm, is to deliver a talk at the Global Blockchain Show 2025 to be held in Abu Dhabi. This participation brings the company to the forefront of the regional dialogues on the growth of digital assets. It further aligns with the UAE’s initiative to promote the use of blockchain in regulated markets.
The new approval provides Animoca with a recognized route to expand its fund management work. As the region’s institutional demand rises, regulated investment channels remain critical for long-term growth.
