Animoca Brands' Strategic Expansion and Acquisition of Somo Signal a Rebound in the NFT Market

The NFT market, long plagued by speculative volatility and regulatory uncertainty, is showing early signs of a structural rebound. At the heart of this shift is Animoca Brands, a Web3 pioneer whose aggressive M&A strategy and institutional-grade partnerships are reshaping the digital ownership landscape. The acquisition of Somo in January 2026 according to TechFlowPost, coupled with its Nasdaq listing ambitions and RWA (real-world asset) initiatives, underscores a broader trend: the institutionalization of Web3 infrastructure. This analysis evaluates how Animoca's moves signal a maturing NFT ecosystem and a shift toward utility-driven, regulated digital assets.

Strategic Acquisition of Somo: A Catalyst for NFT Utility

Animoca's acquisition of Somo-a digital collectibles and gaming company known for products like Somo Battleground-is more than a portfolio expansion. It represents a calculated effort to integrate playable, streamable, and tradable digital assets into a cohesive Web3 ecosystem as reported by TechFlowPost. By leveraging Somo's IP and user base, Animoca aims to drive cross-platform engagement and community growth, two critical metrics for institutional investors seeking scalable, data-driven models.

This acquisition aligns with a broader industry shift toward utility tokens-a theme Animoca co-founder Yat Siu has publicly championed as the "Year of Utility Tokens" for 2026. Unlike speculative NFTs, Somo's assets are designed for active use in gaming and social contexts, a departure from the "buy-and-hold" mentality that dominated earlier cycles. As Bloomberg notes, this focus on utility reflects a market maturation where tokens are valued for their functional roles rather than speculative hype.

Nasdaq Listing and RWA Partnerships: Bridging Traditional and Digital Finance

Animoca's planned Nasdaq listing via a reverse merger with Currenc Group-a $1 billion deal valuing the new entity at institutional-grade standards-signals a pivotal moment in Web3's institutional adoption according to Animoca Brands. By securing 95% ownership for Animoca shareholders in the merged entity as Raison reports, the company is positioning itself as a hybrid digital-asset conglomerate, blending crypto-native innovation with traditional finance's regulatory rigor.

This strategy is further reinforced by Animoca's RWA initiatives. For instance, its partnership with Standard Chartered and Hong Kong Telecommunications to apply for a stablecoin issuer license as The Block reports and its collaboration with Fosun Wealth to tokenize real-world assets according to The Block highlight a deliberate pivot toward regulated, asset-backed digital ownership. These moves cater to institutional investors wary of unregulated crypto markets, offering a bridge between tangible assets (real estate, commodities) and blockchain-based liquidity.

Animoca's influence extends beyond gaming. Its partnership with GROW Digital Wealth-a Hong Kong-based platform licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission-exemplifies its role in democratizing access to digital assets for family offices and ultra-high-net-worth individuals according to Animoca Brands. By integrating crypto and RWA products into GROW's regulated framework, Animoca is addressing a key barrier to institutional adoption: compliance. This approach mirrors broader trends in 2025, where blockchain infrastructure attracted $4.9 billion in funding, driven by demand for secure, scalable solutions as MEXC reports.

Moreover, Animoca's in-principle approval from Abu Dhabi's ADGM to operate as a regulated fund manager as CoinDesk reports underscores its global ambitions. This regulatory stamp of approval is critical for attracting institutional capital, particularly in markets where crypto remains a gray area. As CoinDesk notes, such milestones are "not just regulatory checkboxes but strategic enablers for Web3's mainstream adoption."

The Bigger Picture: NFTs as a Foundation for Digital Ownership

The NFT market's rebound isn't just about trading pixels or virtual land. It's about redefining ownership itself. Animoca's ecosystem-spanning gaming, RWA, and stablecoins-demonstrates how NFTs can serve as programmable, interoperable assets across industries. For example, tokenized real-world assets (like property or art) can now be fractionalized and traded on-chain, while Somo's playable NFTs introduce a new layer of user engagement as TechFlowPost reports.

This evolution aligns with the 2025-2026 industry focus on utility and compliance. As Animoca's co-founder Yat Siu argues, the future of Web3 lies in "tokens with clear use cases," a vision reflected in the company's partnerships with Open Campus and ANPA to build EduFi infrastructure as Proactive Investors reports. These projects link blockchain to education and financial inclusion, expanding the scope of digital ownership beyond speculative trading.

Conclusion: A New Era for Web3

Animoca Brands' strategic acquisitions and institutional partnerships are not isolated events-they are part of a larger narrative: the institutionalization of Web3 infrastructure. By prioritizing utility, compliance, and cross-industry collaboration, the company is laying the groundwork for a future where digital ownership is as legitimate as traditional asset classes.

For investors, the implications are clear: the NFT market's rebound is no longer a speculative bet but a structural shift driven by real-world applications and institutional-grade infrastructure. As Animoca's Nasdaq listing and RWA initiatives gain momentum, the line between crypto-native innovation and traditional finance will blur-creating opportunities for those who recognize the value of a well-tokenized world.