Animoca Brands Secures Virtual Asset Service Provider Licence to Expand Crypto Operations Across Dubai and the Middle East

There’s fresh momentum in Dubai’s crypto scene, and this time it’s Animoca Brands stepping into the spotlight.

The Hong Kong-founded Web3 heavyweight has officially secured a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licence from Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, better known as VARA.

That approval opens the door for Animoca to expand its crypto operations across the Middle East, using Dubai as a regulated base.

In practical terms, it means the company can now legally offer broker-dealer services and investment management tied to virtual assets in and from Dubai — though notably not within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which has its own separate regulatory regime.

Why This Licence Matters

Getting a VASP licence in Dubai isn’t just a rubber stamp.

VARA, established in March 2022, was created specifically to regulate and supervise digital asset activity across Dubai’s mainland and free zones.

Its mandate covers everything from licensing to enforcement, and it has been steadily building a reputation for combining crypto-friendliness with firm oversight.

For Animoca Brands, this approval means it can formally target institutional and qualified investors under a clear regulatory framework.

According to Omar Elassar, the company’s managing director for the Middle East and head of global strategic partnerships, the licence strengthens Animoca’s ability to work closely with Web3 foundations and global institutions within a compliant environment.

In short, this is about credibility as much as expansion.

A Strategic Middle East Play

Dubai has been positioning itself as a global hub for digital assets, and firms are taking notice.

By setting up regulated operations there, Animoca isn’t just planting a flag — it’s tapping into a region that’s aggressively courting blockchain innovation, venture capital and tokenized finance.

The licence, issued on Feb. 5 according to VARA’s public register, allows Animoca to serve institutional and qualified investors under regulatory supervision.

That’s significant because the company’s core strategy revolves around ecosystem-building and early-stage investments.

Animoca Brands isn’t a small player testing the waters.

It’s one of the most active Web3 investors globally, with a portfolio spanning more than 600 companies and digital-asset projects.

Its ecosystem includes blockchain platforms like The Sandbox, along with initiatives such as Open Campus and Moca Network.

Earlier this year, the company expanded further by acquiring Somo, adding playable and tradable digital collectibles to its growing blockchain-based portfolio.

Dubai’s Tough-Love Approach to Crypto

While Dubai is widely seen as crypto-friendly, it’s also been clear that compliance is non-negotiable.

In recent months, VARA issued financial penalties against 19 firms for conducting unlicensed virtual asset activities or breaching marketing regulations.

This dual approach — welcoming innovation while enforcing rules — is part of what makes a VASP licence so valuable.

Firms that clear the regulatory bar can operate with greater legitimacy, particularly when dealing with institutional capital.

Dubai and the broader UAE have also been working to align crypto frameworks through new partnerships aimed at harmonizing regulations across jurisdictions.

The goal is to reduce fragmentation and make it easier for companies to operate across emirates under consistent standards.

A Growing List of Licensed Players

Animoca isn’t alone in making a regulated push into Dubai.

In October 2025, digital asset infrastructure firm BitGo secured its own broker-dealer licence from VARA.

That approval allows BitGo’s Middle East and North Africa unit to provide regulated digital-asset trading and intermediation services to institutional clients in the emirate.

The pattern is clear: serious crypto firms looking to serve institutional markets are opting for regulated footholds in Dubai rather than operating in legal grey areas.

The Bigger Web3 Vision

Animoca’s long-term strategy has consistently revolved around digital property rights, blockchain gaming, decentralized identity and tokenized ecosystems.

The Middle East expansion fits neatly into that vision.

Institutional investors — from family offices to sovereign wealth funds — are increasingly exploring tokenized assets, blockchain infrastructure and Web3 platforms.

Having a regulated presence in Dubai gives Animoca a stronger bridge to that capital.

Beyond capital access, Dubai offers something else: geopolitical positioning.

Sitting between Asia, Europe and Africa, it provides a strategic base for a company that already operates globally.

What’s next?

With the licence secured, the next phase will likely involve scaling institutional partnerships and potentially launching tailored investment products or brokerage services under the VARA framework.

We could also see deeper collaboration with regional Web3 foundations, gaming studios and tokenization initiatives.

Given Animoca’s track record of backing early-stage projects, it wouldn’t be surprising if more Middle East-based startups enter its investment pipeline.

At the same time, regulatory scrutiny will remain high.

VARA has shown it is willing to penalize non-compliant firms, so maintaining strict operational and marketing standards will be essential.

Summary

Animoca Brands has officially obtained a VASP licence from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, enabling it to offer broker-dealer and virtual asset investment management services to institutional and qualified investors from Dubai (excluding the DIFC).

The move strengthens Animoca’s regulated footprint in the Middle East, aligns with Dubai’s ambition to be a global crypto hub, and places the company alongside other licensed firms like BitGo.

With over 600 portfolio projects and a strong presence in Web3 gaming and digital assets, Animoca is positioning itself to tap into institutional capital in a region that is rapidly shaping the future of regulated crypto finance.