Animoca Brands secures in-principle approval to operate as a fund manager in Abu Dhabi

Animoca Brands has taken a new step in its regulatory plans after receiving early approval to pursue a fund management license in Abu Dhabi.

Animoca Brands is advancing its regulated strategy after receiving initial approval to establish a fund management business in Abu Dhabi.

According to a Nov. 24 company press release, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market granted the firm in-principle approval to operate as a regulated Fund Manager.

Institutional expansion in the Middle East

The approval allows Animoca Brands to begin the final steps toward full authorization to manage collective investment funds from within the Abu Dhabi Global Market.

The company will need to satisfy capital, compliance, and operational requirements before receiving full permission, but the initial green light marks a material advance in its strategy to formalize regulated operations in the region.

Animoca said the UAE is becoming a major area of activity for web3 companies and noted that a regulated fund structure can help open the door for both traditional and digital-native investors. The company already operates in Dubai and is using its Middle East expansion to support its global network of web3 projects.

Animoca’s business includes web3 operations, advisory work, and investment management, supported by a portfolio of more than 600 companies across gaming, infrastructure, digital property rights, and tokenized platforms.

The new approval gives the company a path to operate under a recognized framework while it builds out its investment activity for institutional clients.

Regional momentum and ongoing initiatives

The Abu Dhabi approval follows a series of moves that have expanded the company’s reach across the Middle East. In October, Animoca received in-principle approval for a crypto brokerage license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, giving it regulated access to trading services in the emirate.

The firm is also progressing tokenization work tied to real-world assets, including a limited partnership fund in collaboration with Hong Kong–listed DL Holdings that uses the XRP (XRP) Ledger for structuring on-chain vehicles.

The company has also announced partnerships in education finance, token distribution, and web3 gaming, adding new programs to its wider network of projects. These steps show how Animoca is positioning itself for more activity in markets that are building clearer rules for digital assets.

Looking ahead, Animoca chairman Yat Siu is set to speak at the Global Blockchain Show 2025 in Abu Dhabi. With its latest approval, Animoca is continuing to build its regulated footprint as interest in compliant digital asset services grows in the UAE.