Animoca Brands Dubai license marks new phase in Middle East crypto expansion

Dubai’s latest regulatory move gives animoca brands dubai a formal foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing virtual asset hubs.

Animoca Brands secures VASP approval in Dubai

Animoca Brands has obtained a Virtual Asset Service Provider license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), approved on February 5, 2026. The authorization lets the Hong Kong-based firm expand its crypto operations across the Middle East, strengthening its presence in a region racing to attract global digital asset players.

The new license allows Animoca to offer broker-dealer services and investment management tied to virtual assets in Dubai. However, the permission specifically excludes the Dubai International Financial Centre and is aimed at institutional and qualified investors, signaling a focus on professional market participants rather than retail users.

Moreover, the VASP license positions the company to deepen its relationships with partners across the Gulf. By operating under VARA oversight, Animoca can provide regulated access to its Web3 products while responding to growing institutional demand in the region.

Omar Elassar, managing director for the Middle East and head of global strategic partnerships at Animoca Brands, said the license boosts the firm’s capacity to engage with Web3 foundations and global institutional investors within a clearly defined regulatory framework. That said, the move also underscores Dubai’s ambition to be a leading venue for large-scale digital asset activity.

VARA, created in March 2022, oversees the provision, use and exchange of digital assets across Dubai’s mainland and free zones. However, financial services in the DIFC remain under a separate regulator, which explains why Animoca’s permission carves out that jurisdiction.

Business profile and expanding investment portfolio

Animoca Brands develops blockchain platforms and supports broader Web3 ecosystems through infrastructure, content and capital. Its portfolio features well-known projects such as The Sandbox, Open Campus, Moca Network and Anichess, reflecting a strategy focused on gaming, education and decentralized communities.

The company maintains an investment portfolio that spans more than 600 companies and digital assets. This animoca investment portfolio gives the firm broad exposure to emerging crypto infrastructure, gaming studios, decentralized finance applications and other early-stage blockchain ventures worldwide.

In January 2026, Animoca acquired Somo, a gaming and digital collectibles company. The deal added Somo’s playable and tradable collectibles to Animoca’s ecosystem, expanding the range of digital items that can be integrated into its platforms and partner projects.

Moreover, the acquisition strengthens Animoca’s position in the intersection of interactive entertainment and tokenized assets. The company continues to provide digital asset services to crypto-native firms and to back new blockchain projects that align with its Web3 thesis.

Nasdaq listing plans via reverse merger

Animoca Brands announced in 2025 that it plans to go public on the Nasdaq through a reverse merger. The transaction will see the firm combine with Currenc Group Inc., a Singapore-based fintech company that focuses on artificial intelligence solutions.

The reverse merger is expected to close in 2026. After completion, existing Animoca shareholders are projected to collectively own approximately 95% of the combined entity. However, final ownership levels will ultimately depend on closing conditions and any transaction adjustments.

Keyvan Peymani, chief strategy officer at Animoca, detailed the firm’s 2026 roadmap in a recent CNBC interview. He highlighted that the company aims to prioritize its stablecoin work and broader initiatives in real-world asset tokenization as it readies for the public markets.

Moreover, these capital markets plans align closely with the animoca brands dubai regulatory push, since a clear compliance footprint in major jurisdictions often supports investor confidence ahead of a listing.

Stablecoin and real-world asset tokenization strategy

Animoca’s 2026 priorities place strong emphasis on stablecoin initiatives and tokenization of real-world assets. In August 2025, the company announced a Hong Kong joint venture with Standard Chartered and Hong Kong Telecommunications. The partnership aims to apply for a stablecoin issuer license in the city.

However, the firm’s work does not stop at stable-value tokens. Animoca has also partnered with Fosun Wealth and Hang Feng Technology on real-world asset tokenization projects, reflecting a push to bridge traditional finance and blockchain-based markets through tokenized securities and other asset-backed instruments.

These initiatives, scheduled to gain momentum through 2026, mirror a global trend where institutional investors seek on-chain versions of familiar assets. Moreover, they complement Animoca’s existing strengths in gaming and digital collectibles, potentially offering new collateral types and yield opportunities across its ecosystem.

Regulatory context and Dubai’s role in digital assets

Dubai’s regulator continues to refine its crypto framework as more international players enter the market. VARA has granted a series of licenses to infrastructure and service providers while also enforcing compliance to maintain market integrity in the emirate.

BitGo, a digital asset infrastructure company, secured a broker-dealer license from VARA in October 2025. That said, VARA also showed a strict enforcement stance in 2025, issuing financial penalties against 19 companies for unlicensed virtual asset activities and for breaches of the regulator’s marketing rules.

Moreover, those enforcement actions highlight that Dubai is seeking a balanced approach: attracting global crypto firms while demanding adherence to clear operational standards. For Animoca, aligning with these expectations through a full VASP authorization could prove key to winning institutional trust.

Animoca’s license allows it to operate across Dubai’s mainland and free zones under VARA supervision. However, the exclusion of the DIFC keeps certain financial services under a separate regulatory regime, which may shape how the company structures its offerings locally.

Outlook for Middle East expansion

The new authorization is expected to support Animoca’s continued growth in the Middle East. The emirate has positioned itself as a regional hub for digital asset innovation, and major crypto firms increasingly view Dubai as a gateway to broader Gulf and North African markets.

Moreover, as institutional demand for tokenized assets, stable-value tokens and Web3 infrastructure rises, Animoca’s combined focus on regulated services, public listing plans and real-world asset tokenization could reinforce its competitive position. The Dubai license therefore marks both a regulatory milestone and a foundation for long-term regional expansion.

In summary, VARA’s approval, ongoing stablecoin and tokenization projects, and the planned Nasdaq listing with Currenc Group Inc. place Animoca Brands at the center of converging trends in digital assets, regulation and capital markets heading into 2026.