Catenaa, Friday, February 20, 2026- Animoca Brands, the Hong Kong-based digital asset firm, announced it has received a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licence from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
The license allows the company to provide broker-dealer and virtual asset management and investment services to institutional and qualified investors in and from Dubai, excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre.
The regulatory approval supports Animoca Brands’ ongoing expansion in the Middle East and reinforces its capacity to deliver regulated digital asset services within a structured framework.
The licence enables engagement with Web3 foundations, global institutional investors, and qualified participants while ensuring compliance with Dubai’s regulatory standards.
Animoca Brands operates and invests in platforms including Moca Network, Open Campus, Anichess, and The Sandbox, with a portfolio spanning over 600 companies and digital assets.
The firm provides digital asset services to other crypto companies and has ongoing initiatives in stablecoin issuance and real-world asset tokenization.
The approval follows Animoca’s announcement of its planned Nasdaq listing through a reverse merger with Singapore-based fintech Currenc Group Inc., expected to close in 2026.
Animoca shareholders are projected to own roughly 95% of the combined entity.
The VASP licence complements previous regional partnerships, including a Hong Kong joint venture with Standard Chartered and Hong Kong Telecommunications for a stablecoin issuer licence, and collaborations with Fosun Wealth and Hang Feng Technology for real-world asset tokenization.
