Animoca Brands: Pioneering the Convergence of Web3 Gaming and Institutional RWA Tokenization

Animoca Brands, a trailblazer in blockchain-based gaming and digital assets, is leveraging this paradigm shift to position itself at the forefront of institutional-grade real-world asset (RWA) tokenization while maintaining its core Web3 gaming innovations. By forging partnerships with global financial institutions, launching infrastructure for tokenized assets, and preparing for a Nasdaq listing, Animoca is not only adapting to regulatory clarity but actively shaping the future of decentralized finance (DeFi).

Strategic Diversification: Bridging Web3 and Traditional Finance

Animoca's 2026 strategic initiatives, as outlined by Chief Strategy Officer Keyvan Peymani, prioritize stablecoins and RWA tokenization as core growth areas. The company has formed a joint venture with Standard Chartered and Hong Kong Telecommunications, named Anchorpoint Financial, to apply for a stablecoin issuer license in Hong Kong as reported. This move aligns with broader institutional trends, such as the U.S. GENIUS Act (2025), which mandates stablecoins to be fully backed by high-quality assets, enhancing their credibility. Simultaneously, Animoca has partnered with Fosun Wealth and FinChain to tokenize institutional-grade assets, creating liquidity for traditionally illiquid markets as per the announcement.

The company's NUVA platform, a chain-agnostic on-chain vault, serves as a critical infrastructure layer for RWA tokenization. For instance, Animoca's collaboration with Hang Feng Technology Innovation aims to tokenize assets managed by the latter and distribute them via NUVA, leveraging Hang Feng's institutional client network. This partnership exemplifies how Animoca is bridging traditional finance with blockchain, enabling fractional ownership and global accessibility for assets like real estate and corporate bonds.

Financial Performance and Market Position

While specific Q3 2025 financial metrics remain undisclosed, Animoca's FY2024 results highlight its resilience and growth trajectory. The company reported $314 million in bookings for the fiscal year, with its Digital Asset Advisory (DAA) business growing 116% year-over-year to $165 million. Q4 2024 bookings surged 170% YoY to $108 million, driven by in-app transactions and digital asset gains. These figures underscore Animoca's ability to monetize its Web3 gaming ecosystem (e.g., The Sandbox, Anichess) while expanding into RWA tokenization.

The RWA market itself has seen explosive growth, with on-chain value reaching $35.67 billion by mid-2025. Animoca's strategic focus on institutional-grade assets-such as its partnership with Nasdaq-listed Hang Feng-positions it to capture a significant share of this expanding market. Analysts estimate the RWA tokenization addressable market at $400 trillion, driven by demand for yield generation and liquidity in traditional assets.

Institutional Adoption and Regulatory Tailwinds

Institutional adoption of RWA tokenization is accelerating, supported by regulatory frameworks like the EU's MiCA regulation and the U.S. GENIUS Act. Animoca's partnerships with entities like Fosun Wealth and FinChain reflect this trend, as they tokenize assets and integrate them into blockchain-based distribution systems. For example, Fosun Wealth's RWA platform will originate institutional-grade assets, while NUVA will serve as the on-chain vault for global trading as detailed in the announcement.

The company's planned reverse merger with Currenc Group to list on the Nasdaq further underscores its institutional ambitions. This move would make Animoca the world's first publicly-listed digital assets conglomerate, providing U.S. investors direct exposure to its Web3 gaming and RWA portfolios. Such a listing aligns with broader trends of institutional players-like JPMorgan and BlackRock-launching blockchain-related products, including tokenized U.S. Treasury funds.

Risks and Challenges

Despite its strategic momentum, Animoca faces challenges. Regulatory scrutiny of stablecoins and tokenized assets remains a wildcard, particularly in the U.S. and EU. Additionally, the RWA market's scalability depends on interoperability between blockchain platforms and traditional financial systems, a hurdle that requires continued infrastructure development. However, Animoca's partnerships with entities like ProvLabs and Open Campus-which focus on EduFi tokenization-demonstrate its commitment to addressing these challenges through innovation.

Conclusion: A Strategic Play in a Maturing Ecosystem

Animoca Brands' strategic diversification into stablecoins and RWA tokenization positions it as a key player in the maturing crypto ecosystem. By leveraging institutional partnerships, regulatory tailwinds, and its Web3 gaming heritage, the company is not only mitigating risks but capitalizing on the $400 trillion RWA opportunity. As the line between traditional finance and blockchain blurs, Animoca's ability to execute its 2026 roadmap-through its Nasdaq listing, NUVA platform, and institutional-grade tokenization initiatives-will determine its long-term success. For investors, this represents a compelling case study in how strategic diversification can transform a Web3 pioneer into a global financial infrastructure leader.