Web3 investment firm Animoca Brands has obtained a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licence from Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), opening the door for broader operations across the Middle East’s growing digital asset sector.
The approval allows the company to offer broker-dealer and investment management services related to virtual assets from Dubai, excluding activities within the Dubai International Financial Centre. According to the announcement, the services will mainly target institutional and qualified investors operating within VARA’s regulatory framework.
Animoca Brands received a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Licence from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority @varadubai: https://t.co/79MEdR2Z8e
The VASP Licence authorizes Animoca Brands to commence operations and to provide virtual asset (VA) Broker‑Dealer Services…
— Animoca Brands (@animocabrands) February 16, 2026
Dubai’s regulated crypto landscape attracts global players
Omar Elassar, Animoca Brands’ managing director for the Middle East and head of global strategic partnerships, said the licence strengthens the firm’s ability to collaborate with Web3 foundations and global institutional players while operating under clear regulatory oversight.
Established in 2022, VARA oversees digital asset activity across Dubai’s mainland and free zones, positioning the emirate as a hub for regulated crypto innovation.
Expansion aligns with Dubai’s growing crypto ecosystem
The newly granted licence, recorded in VARA’s public register on February 5, reflects Animoca Brands’ broader ambition to expand its influence in regulated markets. The company is known for backing blockchain-based projects such as The Sandbox and Open Campus, while supporting hundreds of early-stage ventures across the digital asset ecosystem.
Its recent acquisition of gaming and digital collectibles company Somo in January further expanded its portfolio of blockchain-powered entertainment products.
The move also highlights Dubai’s rising appeal for crypto businesses seeking regulatory clarity. Several digital asset firms have recently secured licences in the emirate, including custody and infrastructure provider BitGo, which received approval to offer regulated trading and intermediation services to institutional clients in late 2025.
At the same time, VARA has signalled stricter oversight, issuing penalties against firms operating without licences or violating marketing rules, a stance that underscores Dubai’s strategy of balancing innovation with compliance.
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