Animoca Brands has received a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licence from Dubai’s regulator, marking a key step in the company’s expansion across the Middle East.
The Hong Kong–based digital asset firm announced Monday that it has been granted regulatory approval by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The licence allows Animoca to offer broker-dealer services, as well as virtual asset management and investment services, to institutional and qualified investors operating in and from Dubai. The approval excludes the Dubai International Financial Centre, which operates under a separate regulatory framework.
Animoca Brands
Strengthening a Middle East Presence
According to Animoca Brands, the VASP licence will support its regional growth strategy and enable it to provide digital asset services within a clearly defined regulatory environment.
Omar Elassar, managing director for the Middle East and head of Global Strategic Partnerships at Animoca Brands, described the approval as an important milestone for the company’s operations in Dubai and the broader region. He said the licence enhances Animoca’s ability to work with Web3 foundations and global institutional investors under a regulated structure, reflecting the firm’s stated commitment to responsible growth as digital asset markets evolve.
Dubai has positioned itself as a global hub for digital asset activity in recent years, introducing dedicated rules for virtual asset companies through VARA in an effort to balance innovation with oversight.
A Broad Digital Asset Portfolio
Animoca Brands is known for building and investing in Web3 platforms and blockchain-based projects. Its portfolio includes initiatives such as Moca Network, Open Campus, Anichess, and The Sandbox.
Beyond product development, the company provides digital asset services to crypto firms and manages an investment portfolio spanning more than 600 companies and tokens, underscoring its broad exposure across the sector.
Public Listing Plans and 2026 Strategy
The regulatory milestone comes as Animoca advances plans to go public on the Nasdaq through a reverse merger with Currenc Group Inc., a Singapore-based financial technology firm focused on artificial intelligence solutions. The transaction, first announced last year, is expected to close in 2026. Under the proposed structure, Animoca shareholders would own roughly 95 percent of the combined entity.
Looking ahead, Animoca’s leadership has outlined strategic priorities for the coming years. Chief Strategy Officer Keyvan Peymani recently told CNBC that the company plans to expand its work in stablecoins and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization in 2026.
In August, Animoca announced a Hong Kong joint venture with Standard Chartered and Hong Kong Telecommunications to apply for a stablecoin issuer licence. It has also partnered with Fosun Wealth and Hang Feng Technology on tokenization initiatives tied to real-world assets.
A Regulated Path Forward
With Dubai’s VASP licence in hand, Animoca Brands joins a growing list of crypto and Web3 firms seeking to operate under formal regulatory supervision in key financial centers.
For the company, the approval signals more than geographic expansion. It reflects a broader shift in the digital asset industry, where compliance and institutional-grade services are becoming central to long-term growth. As markets mature and regulatory frameworks tighten, firms that can combine innovation with oversight may be better positioned to navigate the next phase of global crypto adoption.
