Animoca's Abu Dhabi Move Bridges Traditional and Web3 Finance

Animoca Brands, a global leader in Web3 and digital property rights, has received in-principle approval from Abu Dhabi's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) to operate as a fund manager in the emirate, marking a significant step in its regulatory expansion in the Middle East. The approval, granted on November 24, allows the Hong Kong-based firm to proceed toward full licensing once it meets capital, compliance, and operational requirements. This move builds on Animoca's earlier October 2025 in-principle approval for a crypto brokerage license from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), solidifying its presence in the UAE's evolving digital asset ecosystem.

The FSRA approval will enable Animoca to manage collective investment funds under a regulated framework in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The company, which oversees a portfolio of over 600 projects, spanning Web3 gaming, infrastructure, and tokenized platforms, aims to offer institutional-grade services to both traditional and digital-native investors. Animoca's chairman, Yat Siu, emphasized the strategic importance of the UAE, noting the region's growing role as a hub for regulated digital asset innovation. "By establishing a regulated fund structure in Abu Dhabi, we are positioning ourselves to support the next generation of investment opportunities in Web3," Siu stated in a recent interview.

The approval aligns with Animoca's broader strategy to tokenize real-world assets (RWAs) and expand its institutional footprint.

The firm is currently developing a limited partnership fund in collaboration with Hong Kong-listed DL Holdings, structured on the XRP Ledger blockchain. This initiative, part of a larger focus on digital property rights and infrastructure, underscores Animoca's commitment to bridging traditional finance and Web3. Additionally, the company has partnered with Hang Feng Technology Innovation to tokenize real-world assets through its on-chain vault marketplace, NUVA, and is collaborating with Nasdaq-listed ANPA on a $50 million EDU token strategy to advance education finance (EduFi).

Abu Dhabi's regulatory progress complements Dubai's efforts to attract digital asset firms. The UAE has emerged as a key destination for blockchain and crypto companies, with both cities introducing licensing pathways for compliant operations. Animoca's expansion in the region follows similar moves by global exchanges and asset managers seeking to leverage the UAE's favorable regulatory environment.

The firm's chairman will further highlight its Web3 vision at the Global Blockchain Show 2025 in Abu Dhabi, where he is scheduled to speak. This engagement reflects Animoca's active participation in shaping the region's digital asset landscape. With its regulated footprint in the UAE, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on growing institutional interest in tokenized assets and blockchain-driven financial services.