Animoca Brands Expands Into Dubai With New Crypto License Approval

TLDR

• Animoca Brands received a VASP license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority on February 5, 2026
• The license allows Animoca to offer broker-dealer services and investment management to institutional and qualified investors in Dubai
• Animoca Brands has an investment portfolio spanning more than 600 companies and digital assets
• The company announced plans in 2025 for a Nasdaq reverse merger with Currenc Group Inc., expected to close in 2026
• Animoca is focusing on stablecoin and real-world asset tokenization initiatives for 2026

Animoca Brands secured a Virtual Asset Service Provider license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority on February 5, 2026. The approval allows the Hong Kong-based company to expand its crypto operations across the Middle East.

The VASP license permits Animoca Brands to provide broker-dealer services and investment management related to virtual assets in Dubai. The services exclude the Dubai International Financial Centre and target institutional and qualified investors.

Omar Elassar, managing director for the Middle East and head of global strategic partnerships at Animoca Brands, commented on the license approval. He said the license enhances the company’s ability to engage with Web3 foundations and global institutional investors within a regulated framework.

Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority was established in March 2022. The regulator oversees the provision, use and exchange of digital assets across Dubai’s mainland and free zones.

Animoca’s Business and Portfolio

Animoca Brands develops blockchain platforms and supports Web3 ecosystems. The company’s portfolio includes The Sandbox, Open Campus, Moca Network and Anichess.

The firm maintains an investment portfolio spanning more than 600 companies and digital assets. In January 2026, Animoca acquired gaming and digital collectibles company Somo.

The acquisition added Somo’s playable and tradable collectibles to Animoca’s portfolio. The company provides digital asset services to crypto firms and backs early-stage blockchain projects.

Plans for Public Listing

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

The transaction is expected to close in 2026. Animoca shareholders will collectively own approximately 95% of the combined entity after the merger.

Keyvan Peymani, chief strategy officer at Animoca, outlined the company’s 2026 priorities in a recent CNBC interview. The company plans to focus on expanding its stablecoin and real-world asset tokenization initiatives.

In August 2025, Animoca announced a Hong Kong joint venture with Standard Chartered and Hong Kong Telecommunications. The joint venture aims to apply for a stablecoin issuer license.

Animoca has partnered with Fosun Wealth and Hang Feng Technology on real-world asset tokenization projects. These initiatives align with the company’s strategic focus for 2026.

The Dubai license adds to the company’s regulatory approvals in key markets. Digital asset infrastructure company BitGo obtained a broker-dealer license from VARA in October 2025.

VARA issued financial penalties against 19 companies for unlicensed virtual asset activities in 2025. The regulator also penalized firms for breaches of VARA’s marketing regulations.

Animoca’s VASP license allows operations across Dubai’s mainland and free zones under VARA oversight. The company expects the license to support its continued expansion in the Middle East region.

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