Animoca Brands' Strategic Expansion into Stablecoins, AI, and DePIN as a Catalyst for Web3 Growth

In 2025, Animoca Brands is redefining its role in the Web3 ecosystem by aggressively expanding into stablecoins, artificial intelligence (AI), and Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN). With a portfolio spanning 600 companies and a clear focus on innovation, the company is positioning itself as a leader in the next phase of blockchain adoption. By integrating these technologies into its infrastructure strategy, Animoca is not only capitalizing on emerging trends but also addressing the foundational needs of a maturing Web3 market.

Stablecoins: Bridging Traditional Finance and Web3

Stablecoins are emerging as a cornerstone of global financial infrastructure, with daily settlement volumes projected to reach $300 billion by 2025. Animoca Brands is leveraging this trend through strategic partnerships and institutional-grade initiatives. A prime example is Anchorpoint Financial Limited, a joint venture with Standard Chartered Bank and HKT, which aims to secure a stablecoin issuer license in Hong Kong according to the company's announcement. This move aligns with broader efforts to integrate Web3 with traditional finance, enabling seamless cross-border transactions and institutional adoption.

Moreover, Animoca's focus on stablecoins is underscored by its $10 million investment in Pencil Finance, a DeFi platform offering student loans through tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) as reported by Animoca. By blending stablecoin infrastructure with real-world use cases, Animoca is addressing liquidity gaps in education and financial services, a sector projected to grow as Web3 adoption accelerates.

AI-Driven Web3 Infrastructure: From Identity to Education

Animoca's foray into AI is reshaping its Web3 infrastructure, particularly in digital identity and education. The company's partnership with IoTeX is a case in point: by integrating AI with verifiable real-world data via decentralized infrastructure, they are targeting applications in autonomous mobility and energy systems. This collaboration leverages IoTeX's 40 million connected devices and Animoca's $2.9 billion in token reserves to enhance institutional credibility and scale AI-driven DePIN adoption.

The Moca Network further exemplifies this strategy. Its AIR Kit enables Web2 and Web3 projects to create universal embedded accounts for users to manage digital assets and identity data as described in Animoca's announcement. Meanwhile, Moca Chain offers a privacy-preserving identity verification system, addressing a critical pain point in decentralized ecosystems. These tools are not just incremental improvements-they are foundational to a future where AI agents interact autonomously with blockchain networks.

In education, Animoca's EDU Chain-a Layer 3 blockchain on Arbitrum Orbit-has already attracted $150 million in total value locked (TVL) according to company data. This platform supports on-chain education finance (EduFi) and consumer-facing apps, demonstrating how AI and blockchain can democratize access to learning resources. Such initiatives align with broader market trends, where onchain AI agents are expected to act as autonomous participants in markets and networks.

DePIN: Decentralizing Physical Infrastructure

DePIN is emerging as a disruptive force in infrastructure, and Animoca is at the forefront. The company's partnership with GEODNET to advance precise location technology and Satellite Miners is a testament to this as reported by Animoca. By integrating ultra-precise geospatial data with blockchain, Animoca is enabling applications that bridge the physical and digital worlds, from supply chain optimization to immersive gaming experiences.

Additionally, Animoca's investments in Pieverse and Depinsim highlight its commitment to decentralized infrastructure. Pieverse, a Web3 payments and compliance startup, is developing protocols for verifiable on-chain invoices and receipts according to financial reports. Depinsim, a decentralized communication and data infrastructure project, is building scalable solutions for decentralized networks as detailed in industry reports. These ventures underscore Animoca's vision of a future where DePIN competes with traditional infrastructure by offering decentralized, scalable alternatives.

Market Growth and Analyst Projections

The convergence of stablecoins, AI, and DePIN is not just a strategic pivot for Animoca-it's a response to explosive market growth. Stablecoins are already enabling $46 trillion in annual transactions, rivaling Visa and PayPal. Meanwhile, DePIN networks are expected to disrupt traditional infrastructure by leveraging blockchain for data storage, computation, and energy management as analysts predict. Analysts project that AI-powered DeFi applications will streamline financial operations, customizing lending and trading strategies for a new generation of users according to industry research.

Animoca's strategic moves are already paying dividends. Its Digital Asset Advisory (DAA) business saw a 116% increase in bookings to $165 million in 2024 according to company reports, reflecting strong demand for its AI and Web3 expertise. The company's planned Nasdaq listing via a reverse merger with Currenc Group further signals its institutional ambitions, potentially unlocking new capital to scale its infrastructure initiatives as reported by financial sources.

Investment Thesis: Ecosystem Leadership in Web3

Animoca's expansion into stablecoins, AI, and DePIN positions it as a leader in Web3 infrastructure. By addressing liquidity (stablecoins), identity (AI), and physical infrastructure (DePIN), the company is building a cohesive ecosystem that bridges traditional and decentralized economies. Its partnerships with financial institutions, tech firms, and educational platforms demonstrate a unique ability to integrate disparate sectors into a unified Web3 vision.

For investors, the opportunity lies in Animoca's ability to scale these initiatives. The company's $2.9 billion in token reserves, combined with its growing TVL in projects like EDU Chain, provides a strong foundation for growth. As stablecoin adoption accelerates and DePIN networks mature, Animoca's infrastructure-first approach could yield outsized returns, particularly as it prepares for a Nasdaq listing and expands into AI-driven financial services.

Conclusion

Animoca Brands is not just adapting to the Web3 revolution-it's accelerating it. By strategically investing in stablecoins, AI, and DePIN, the company is addressing the core challenges of scalability, trust, and interoperability in decentralized ecosystems. For investors, this represents a compelling opportunity to back a firm that is shaping the future of digital ownership and infrastructure. As the lines between Web2 and Web3 blur, Animoca's ecosystem leadership could prove to be a defining catalyst in the next phase of blockchain innovation.