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Animoca Brands has obtained regulatory approval in Dubai to provide digital asset services, strengthening its position in the Middle East as jurisdictions continue formalizing virtual asset oversight.
Good to Know
The licence authorizes Animoca Brands to begin operating virtual asset Broker Dealer Services along with Management and Investment Services in and from the Emirate of Dubai, excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, known as VARA, created in 2022 under Dubai Law No. 4, oversees regulation, supervision, and licensing of virtual asset activities across the emirate. Authority functions as an independent regulator focused entirely on digital assets, forming part of a broader strategy to build a structured legal environment for emerging financial technologies.
Animoca Brands expects approval to support continued regional expansion while enabling delivery of regulated services to institutional participants within a defined compliance framework.
Animoca Brands develops and supports several blockchain driven platforms including Moca Network, Open Campus, Anichess, and The Sandbox, alongside institutional grade infrastructure and advisory services for digital asset companies.
Group also invests across the sector, maintaining a portfolio of more than 600 companies and projects tied to blockchain, gaming, and tokenized ecosystems. Regulatory positioning in Dubai adds a licensed base for engagement with global partners seeking exposure to Web3 initiatives.
Omar Elassar, managing director for Middle East and head of Global Strategic Partnerships at Animoca Brands, said:
“Receiving the VASP licence from VARA is an important milestone for Animoca Brands’ operations, particularly in Dubai and the Middle East. This licence enhances our ability to engage with Web3 foundations as well as global institutional and qualified investors within a well-regulated framework, and reflects our commitment to building and operating responsibly as digital asset markets continue to mature.”