Animoca Brands wins Abu Dhabi approval to launch regulated fund

• Animoca must meet capital, compliance, and operational conditions before final approval.
• The firm already secured in-principle approval for a crypto brokerage licence in Dubai in October.
• Animoca’s portfolio spans more than 600 companies in web3 gaming, infrastructure, and digital rights.

Animoca Brands is taking a major step in its regulated expansion strategy as it secures initial approval to set up a fund management business in Abu Dhabi.

The move signals a deeper shift in how the company wants to operate across the Middle East, with a focus 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, giving the company a clear path toward full permission once it completes the required capital, compliance, and operational processes.

This early approval adds new direction to Animoca’s efforts to formalise its presence in a region that is fast becoming a centre for digital asset companies.

The firm sees the UAE as a growing market where regulated structures can attract both traditional investors and digital-native participants.

With operations already established in Dubai, the company is now tying its regional strategy to a framework that supports managed funds and institutional-grade products.

Investment expansion

The approval allows Animoca Brands to move closer to managing collective investment funds from within the UAE.

This is important for the business because it positions the firm to support institutional clients under a regulated environment.

Animoca already works across several areas of the web3 economy, including advisory services and investment activity, and it maintains a portfolio of more than 600 companies across gaming, infrastructure, digital property rights, and tokenised platforms.

A fund manager licence would give the company a structured base of operations for these investments, creating a unified location for regulated activities across its global network.

It also supports Animoca’s intention to build a wider footprint in markets where regulatory clarity is improving quickly.

By anchoring its investment work in Abu Dhabi, the firm is preparing for a future where compliant digital asset services will become more central to institutional adoption.

Regional licensing progress

Animoca Brands has been steadily expanding its regulatory presence in the Middle East.

In October, the firm secured in-principle approval for a crypto brokerage licence from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, allowing it to offer regulated trading services in the emirate.

The combination of approvals in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai shows how the company is shaping its regional strategy through recognised frameworks rather than informal or unregulated operations.

Alongside regulatory progress, Animoca is also working on tokenisation 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 new programmes across education finance, token distribution, and web3 gaming, expanding the network of projects connected to its broader ecosystem.

Growing UAE digital assets focus

The UAE has become a priority destination for companies operating in the digital economy, and Animoca Brands is using 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 businesses seeking compliant growth.

Animoca’s latest approval places the company at the centre of this shift as institutions look for regulated access to digital assets.

The firm’s 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 supports this engagement by giving Animoca a recognised path to expand its fund management and investment work as demand for regulated services continues to increase.