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Animoca Brands has received final regulatory approval to manage collective investment funds in Abu Dhabi, strengthening its institutional digital asset business and expanding its regulated financial services presence in the United Arab Emirates.
The Hong Kong-based blockchain investment company announced on Monday, November 2, that its subsidiary, Animoca Asset Management (AD) Limited, had secured Financial Services Permission (FSP) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
According to ADGM’s official regulatory register, the authorisation became effective on October 13, 2026, allowing the subsidiary to manage collective investment funds within or from the international financial centre.
The approval permits the company to oversee investment funds serving professional investors but prohibits it from dealing with retail clients or holding and controlling client assets.
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The regulatory clearance follows an 11-month approval process that began in November 2025, when Animoca Brands received preliminary authorisation from the FSRA.
The initial approval was subject to operational and regulatory requirements, including governance and risk management conditions, before the company could begin regulated fund management activities.
Animoca Brands Expands Institutional Investment Services in the UAE
The Abu Dhabi approval represents another step in Animoca Brands’ efforts to establish a stronger presence in the Middle East’s regulated digital asset sector.
In February 2026, the company obtained a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licence from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), authorising it to provide virtual asset broker-dealer services and investment management services to institutional and qualified investors.
The two licences cover different financial activities and operate under separate regulatory frameworks.
While the Dubai authorisation allows Animoca Brands to provide approved virtual asset brokerage and investment services, its ADGM licence specifically permits the management of collective investment funds.
Together, the approvals expand the company’s ability to serve institutional investors seeking regulated exposure to blockchain-related financial products.
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Minh Do, Senior Executive Officer and Director of Animoca Asset Management, described the ADGM authorisation as an important development for the company’s Middle East operations.
He said the approval enables the business to manage collective investment funds within a regulated environment while connecting institutional investment with emerging digital asset technologies.
Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, welcomed the company’s expansion, highlighting the growing relationship between institutional finance and digital assets in Abu Dhabi.
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Focus on Tokenisation, Stablecoins and Institutional Blockchain Investment
Animoca Brands has been expanding its institutional financial services activities as part of a broader strategy to connect traditional investment markets with blockchain infrastructure.
The company’s business priorities include real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation, stablecoin-related services and digital asset treasury management.
These activities form part of its transition from a blockchain gaming and Web3 investment business toward a wider regulated financial services model.
Founded in 2014 with an initial focus on mobile gaming, Animoca Brands shifted its attention toward blockchain technology in 2018.
The company has since developed an investment portfolio covering more than 600 businesses and digital assets, including projects associated with The Sandbox and Moca Network.
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Abu Dhabi Strengthens Its Position as a Digital Asset Investment Hub
The latest authorisation comes as Abu Dhabi continues attracting blockchain businesses, asset managers and financial technology companies seeking access to regulated investment structures.
ADGM’s regulatory framework provides oversight for authorised financial institutions, including requirements covering governance, compliance and investor protection.
For Animoca Brands, the approval creates an additional route to develop institutional investment offerings while operating within the financial centre’s supervisory requirements.
However, the company has not yet disclosed the size of its proposed investment funds, their specific strategies or when its first fund will launch.
The approval establishes the subsidiary’s regulatory authority to manage eligible investment funds, rather than confirming the launch of a particular investment product.
Animoca Brands is expected to use the new authorisation to advance its institutional asset management operations in Abu Dhabi, supporting its broader expansion across regulated digital asset markets.
