Web3 investment giant Animoca Brands has secured a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This approval marks a significant step in the company's global expansion, allowing it to offer regulated services to institutional clients in the Middle East. The development comes as Dubai continues to strengthen its regulatory framework, positioning itself as a key hub for compliant digital asset innovation.
Strategic Expansion into the Middle East
The newly acquired license allows Animoca Brands to offer broker-dealer and asset management services to institutional and qualified investors across Dubai, excluding the DIFC, addressing rising regional demand for regulated digital asset solutions. Co-founder and executive chairman Yat Siu said Dubai’s forward-looking regulatory framework provides the clarity needed to expand institutional offerings, particularly in emerging areas such as real-world assets (RWAs).
The approval strengthens Animoca Brands’ Middle East presence, complementing its partnerships in Saudi Arabia. With a portfolio of over 600 Web3 companies, including The Sandbox and Moca Network, the firm is better positioned to connect its ecosystem with regional institutional capital while reinforcing its commitment to regulated growth in key global markets.
Navigating Dubai's Evolving Regulatory Framework
Animoca's approval comes as Dubai tightens oversight of digital assets, with VARA refining its rules and increasing enforcement against unlicensed firms. This clearer divide between regulated and unregulated activity gives licensed companies greater operational certainty and access to the region’s financial ecosystem.
Stricter compliance efforts are also visible at the DIFC, where the DFSA has restricted privacy-focused tokens and tightened stablecoin requirements to address anti-money laundering risks. These measures aim to align Dubai with global standards such as those set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), strengthening institutional confidence and supporting a more sustainable digital asset market.
Dubai's Growing Prominence as a Global Crypto Hub
Animoca Brands joins a growing list of prominent digital asset firms that have secured regulatory approval in Dubai. Major industry players, including Binance, Bybit, and BitGo, have also obtained licenses from VARA, solidifying the emirate's reputation as a premier destination for Web3 companies. This trend highlights the success of Dubai's structured and transparent regulatory regime.
By combining clear operational pathways with robust enforcement, Dubai is positioning itself as a leading global hub for compliant crypto innovation. This balanced approach is particularly attractive to companies navigating intensified scrutiny from regulators worldwide. The emirate provides a stable and predictable environment for businesses to grow while adhering to international compliance standards.
The acquisition of a VASP license by Animoca Brands is a pivotal development, reinforcing its strategic focus on institutional investors and cementing its presence in the Middle East. This move not only benefits the company but also underscores Dubai's successful transformation into a top-tier, regulated jurisdiction for the global digital asset industry. As more major players follow suit, the emirate's role as a center for compliant Web3 growth is set to expand further.