- Animoca must meet capital, compliance, and operational requirements before receiving final approval.
- The company already secured in-principle approval for a cryptocurrency broker license in Dubai in October.
- Animoca’s portfolio spans more than 600 companies across web3 gaming, infrastructure, and digital rights.
Animoca Brands has taken a significant step in its regulated expansion strategy by securing initial approval to establish a fund management business in Abu Dhabi.
The move signals a deeper shift in how the company intends to operate in the Middle East, focusing on building a structured, compliant base for its growing investment activities.
Abu Dhabi’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority granted the in-principle approval on November 24, providing a clear path toward full authorization once the required capital, compliance, and operational processes are completed.
This early approval gives fresh direction to Animoca’s efforts to formalize its presence in a region rapidly becoming a hub for digital asset businesses.
The company views the UAE as a growing market where regulated frameworks can attract both traditional institutional investors and digitally native participants.
With existing operations in Dubai, Animoca is now aligning its regional strategy to a framework that supports managed funds and institutional products.
Expanding investment capabilities
The approval brings Animoca Brands closer to managing collective investment funds from the UAE.
This is important because it positions the company to support institutional clients within a regulated environment.
Animoca already operates across many segments of the web3 economy, including advisory and investment activities, and maintains a portfolio of more than 600 companies in gaming, infrastructure, digital property rights, and tokenized platforms.
A fund manager license will provide a structured base for these investments and create a centralized hub for regulated activities across its global network.
It also supports Animoca’s intention to expand its footprint in markets where regulatory clarity is improving rapidly.
By anchoring its investment operations in Abu Dhabi, the company is preparing for a future where compliant digital asset services play a central role in institutional adoption.
Regional licensing developments
Animoca Brands has steadily increased its regulatory presence across the Middle East.
In October, the company received in-principle approval for a cryptocurrency broker license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, enabling it to offer regulated trading services in the emirate.
The combination of approvals in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai demonstrates how the company is shaping its regional strategy through recognized frameworks rather than informal or unregulated activities.
Alongside regulatory progress, Animoca is advancing tokenization initiatives involving real-world assets.
A recent project involves a limited partnership fund developed with Hong Kong-listed DL Holdings, using the XRP Ledger to structure on-chain vehicles.
The company continues to add programs in education finance, token distribution, and web3 gaming, expanding the network of projects connected to its broader ecosystem.
Growing focus on digital assets in the UAE
The UAE has become a priority destination for companies operating in the digital economy, and Animoca Brands is leveraging this momentum to anchor its regulated activities in the region.
With clearer rules, new licensing pathways, and rising interest from global investors, the Middle East offers a strategic opportunity for firms seeking regulated growth.
Animoca’s recent approval places the company at the center of this shift as institutions pursue regulated access to digital assets.
Chairman Yat Siu is scheduled to speak at the Global Blockchain Show 2025 in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the company’s role in regional discussions on digital asset development.
The new approval underpins that engagement by giving Animoca a recognized route to expand its fund management and investment activities as demand for regulated services continues to grow.