Animoca's Abu Dhabi Approval Paves Regulated Path for Institutional Web3 Investments

Abu Dhabi's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) has granted Animoca Brands in-principle approval to operate as a regulated fund manager within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), a key step in the company's expansion into institutional-grade Web3 investment services. The approval allows Animoca to prepare for full authorization to manage collective investment funds, subject to meeting capital, compliance, and operational requirements. This move follows the firm's earlier regulatory progress in Dubai, where it secured a crypto brokerage license from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in October.

Animoca Brands, a global leader in Web3 and digital property rights, has positioned itself as a major player in blockchain innovation, managing over 600 Web3 projects and investments. The firm's Abu Dhabi initiative aligns with its broader strategy to establish regulated pathways for institutional participation in digital assets, a critical step as the UAE emerges as a hub for Web3 activity. Omar Elassar, Animoca's managing director for the Middle East, emphasized that the approval supports the company's goal of "building regulated, institutional pathways for participation" while fostering collaboration with founders and enterprises in the ecosystem.

The in-principle approval requires Animoca to fulfill specific conditions, including securing adequate capital, finalizing operational infrastructure, and obtaining residence visas for key personnel. Once these are met, the firm can apply for full Financial Services Permission, which would enable it to incorporate within ADGM and launch regulated fund management services. ADGM's Chief Market Development Officer, Arvind Ramaurthy, highlighted the milestone as a testament to Animoca's commitment to operating within a "trusted, transparent, and well-regulated environment".

Animoca's expansion in the Middle East includes a Dubai office established in April 2025, alongside partnerships like its collaboration with Hong Kong-listed DL Holdings to create tokenized investment funds on the XRP Ledger as part of a strategic partnership. The firm also plans to leverage its regulated footprint to tokenize real-world assets, as seen in its recent memorandum of understanding with Hang Feng Technology Innovation announced in a press release. Meanwhile, chairman Yat Siu is set to speak at the Global Blockchain Show 2025 in Abu Dhabi, underscoring the company's engagement with regional stakeholders according to company announcements.

The approval comes as Animoca pursues a return to public markets via a reverse merger with Currenc Group, targeting a $1 billion valuation. The firm's dual focus on regulatory compliance and innovation reflects growing institutional interest in Web3, with ADGM's supportive framework positioning Abu Dhabi as a competitive destination for digital asset firms.