Animoca Brands Moves Toward Full Regulatory Approval in Abu Dhabi 

Animoca Brands is making a notable advance in its Middle Eastern expansion after receiving in-principle approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of the Abu Dhabi Global Market. 

The decision gives the company an early green light as it works toward becoming a fully regulated fund manager inside the international financial center. While this approval is not yet a full license, it marks a major point in Animoca’s effort to deepen its presence inside one of the fastest-growing hubs for digital-asset activity.

The approval allows the company to begin the final steps required to operate collective investment vehicles in or from the ADGM. Although more work remains, including meeting capital, operational, and compliance requirements, the in-principle approval shows that Animoca has already satisfied a core set of regulatory expectations. 

The process now moves into its final stage, where the company must complete all conditions before the FSRA grants full authorization.

For Animoca Brands, the approval fits into a long-term effort to build regulated access points for institutions entering the Web3 ecosystem. The United Arab Emirates, especially Abu Dhabi and Dubai, has gained global attention as jurisdictions with clear frameworks for digital assets, strong government backing, and an expanding infrastructure for blockchain activity. These conditions have attracted a wide range of companies searching for stability and transparent guidance in an industry still finding its regulatory footing.

Operating within the ADGM as a regulated fund manager will give Animoca Brands direct access to regional capital and allow it to offer institutions a compliant path into Web3 investments. This is essential for the company’s broader mission to connect traditional capital markets with blockchain-based platforms.

Receiving recognition from one of the world’s most respected digital-asset regulatory environments also enhances Animoca’s global credibility. The company is widely known for its footprint across gaming, NFTs, metaverse projects, and decentralized intellectual property. With this approval, Animoca strengthens its role as a bridge between traditional investors and rapidly evolving digital ecosystems.

If the company secures its full license, it will be authorized to manage regulated funds inside the ADGM and create investment products focused on blockchain development, digital ownership, and gaming infrastructure. 

Animoca already manages more than 600 Web3 investments, including major positions in well-known platforms such as Axie Infinity, The Sandbox, and OpenSea. Placing this broad portfolio inside a regulated structure in Abu Dhabi could give institutions access to Web3-focused funds that are largely absent from global markets.

The in-principle approval also reinforces the UAE’s ambitions in Web3 innovation. The country has positioned itself as a leader in digital-asset regulation, and the move highlights its commitment to hosting companies that rely on clarity and consistency as they scale.

Building a Regional Strategy Around Regulation & Institutional Access

Animoca Brands is also shaping a broader strategy for the Middle East. The approval from the FSRA, which was issued on November 24, signals how the company plans to operate in the region. Instead of relying on informal structures, the company is building a regulated foundation that can support managed funds and institutional-grade products.

With a presence already established in Dubai, Animoca is expanding its footprint to Abu Dhabi to reinforce its investment operations under a unified regulatory framework. The goal is to support a mix of institutional clients, founders, and digital-native participants within an environment that encourages compliant growth.

By gaining the ability to manage collective investment funds from within the UAE, the company is positioning itself to offer services that meet the expectations of large investors. The shift is important as demand rises for professionally managed digital-asset exposure. 

Animoca’s work spans several segments of the Web3 economy, from advisory services to direct investment, and its broad portfolio across gaming, digital rights, infrastructure, and tokenized platforms shows the scale of its influence.

A dedicated fund management license would allow the company to better organize these investments under a regulated structure. This would help centralize its activity, refine its oversight processes, and create a launchpad for new products designed for institutional clients.

The Middle East has become a strategic region for companies that want to expand under clear and predictable regulatory rules. For Animoca Brands, anchoring its investment operations in Abu Dhabi means preparing for a future where institutions will expect digital-asset services to meet traditional compliance standards. It also highlights how the UAE has become central to Web3 expansion, offering licensing pathways and a regulatory landscape suited for long-term business planning.

The company’s regulatory momentum is not limited to Abu Dhabi. In October, Animoca secured in-principle approval for a crypto brokerage license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, allowing it to offer regulated trading services in the emirate. Taken together, the approvals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai show how the company is formalizing its regional strategy through recognized, compliant channels.

Alongside its regulatory progress, Animoca is exploring tokenization initiatives involving real-world assets. One recent project includes a limited partnership fund developed with Hong Kong-listed DL Holdings, structured on the XRP Ledger. The company is also working on programs in education finance, token distribution, and Web3 gaming, expanding a growing network of investments and partnerships tied to its global ecosystem.

As demand for regulated digital-asset services grows, the Middle East stands out as a region where clarity, innovation, and investor interest are converging. Animoca Brands’ latest approval strengthens its institutional presence and positions the firm at the center of this shift. 

The company’s chairman, Yat Siu, is expected to speak at the Global Blockchain Show 2025 in Abu Dhabi, further underscoring the company’s active role in regional discussions around digital-asset development.

Regulatory Confidence & a Growing Presence Across the UAE

The next stage for the company depends on fulfilling all conditions required for the full Fund Manager License. According to the press release, once the final approval is granted, Animoca will be able to manage a Collective Investment Fund within the ADGM. 

This aligns with the firm’s structure, which is based on three integrated business pillars: Web3 services aimed at broadening blockchain adoption, digital-asset advisory work, and investment management supported by a large portfolio of companies across the digital economy.

The company’s expansion in the Middle East has been steady. It opened an office in Dubai in April 2025 to meet growing demand from Web3 organizations entering the region. During that time, it appointed Omar Elassar as Managing Director for the Middle East and Head of Global Strategic Partnerships. 

The office was designed to serve as a central point for collaboration with local and international partners, supporting innovation and strategic planning as the company deepens its regional involvement.

Animoca has also increased its investment activity in the region. In 2024, it led a $7 million strategic funding round for Param Labs, a UAE-based Web3 gaming and technology studio. This was one of several investments across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, showing how the company is investing in long-term regional growth.

As part of the latest announcement, Elassar emphasized the importance of regulated participation. “The UAE is a growing hub for activity in Web3 and digital assets,” he said. He explained that the approval supports the company’s regional strategy to “build regulated, institutional pathways for participation” while continuing to support founders and enterprises.

ADGM officials also welcomed the company’s progress. Arvind Ramaurthy, Chief Market Development Officer, described the approval as a significant step toward full authorization. He said it reflected Animoca’s commitment to operating within the ADGM’s ecosystem, adding, “ADGM is dedicated to enabling businesses like Animoca to advance the adoption of blockchain and digital assets within a trusted, transparent, and well-regulated environment.”

Looking ahead, the in-principle approval strengthens Animoca Brands’ institutional position as it works toward final regulatory clearance. While final authorization is still pending, the decision marks an important milestone for the company’s global strategy. 

The progress underscores the company’s expanding influence at the intersection of Web3 innovation, investment management, and evolving regulation across the Middle East.

The combination of regulatory momentum, strategic regional investments, and expanding partnerships shows how Animoca Brands is shaping its next phase of growth. If final approval is granted, the company will be able to offer institutional-grade products from a major international financial center, further solidifying its leadership position within the Web3 sector.