Animoca Brands has received in-principle approval from Abu Dhabi’s FSRA to operate as a regulated fund manager, marking a strategic shift towards institutionalised digital asset investments in the Middle East.
Animoca Brands, a global leader in NFTs and Web3 investments, is accelerating its expansion in the Middle East with a significant regulatory milestone that could reshape its global investment strategy. The company recently announced that it has received in-principle approval (IPA) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to operate as a regulated Fund Manager out of Abu Dhabi, UAE’s capital. This development is a key step in Animoca’s broader ambitions to establish institutional, licensed investment channels for Web3 and digital assets on a regulated basis.
This in-principle approval, while not the final licence, signals that the regulator has reviewed Animoca’s application and is prepared to grant full approval once certain conditions are met. The IPA opens the door for Animoca to manage collective investment funds at ADGM, enabling the company to legally run regulated investment funds, raise capital from eligible investors, and make investment decisions subject to FSRA oversight. This will likely include venture funds dedicated to Web3 infrastructure, gaming, tokenization, the metaverse, and other digital asset sectors.
Animoca already has a physical office presence in Dubai, established earlier this year, facilitating its activities in the region. The new fund manager status will enhance its capacity to attract institutional capital, such as sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and other major investors who typically seek regulated channels to navigate digital asset investments. According to the company, this regulatory foothold in Abu Dhabi strengthens its institutional capabilities and supports its ongoing global strategy.
The transition from a primarily operating and strategic investment role to a fully regulated asset manager represents a strategic pivot for Animoca Brands. Co-founder Yat Siu has previously emphasized the firm’s vast investment footprint, which now spans over 600 portfolio companies across a broad spectrum of Web3 verticals, including not only gaming and NFTs but also infrastructure, decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenization of real-world assets, and enterprise blockchain solutions. This diverse investment approach comes amid market fluctuations, such as a recent dip in NFT sales volumes, underscoring Animoca’s shift towards more resilient and diversified digital asset sectors.
Industry observers note that Animoca’s move aligns with a growing trend among blockchain and Web3 firms seeking regulatory clarity and institutional legitimacy through licensed operations in financial hubs like ADGM. Abu Dhabi’s attractive regulatory framework and strategic location in the Middle East provide an ideal platform for attracting both regional and global institutional investors interested in digital assets.
In summary, Animoca Brands’ in-principle approval by the FSRA to operate as a regulated fund manager marks a pivotal moment in its corporate evolution. This regulatory endorsement not only underscores the company’s commitment to compliance and institutional standards but also enhances its ability to lead and shape the future of Web3 investment on a global scale from the UAE’s emerging financial centre. The final approval remains subject to meeting specified regulatory conditions, but the development signals strong momentum toward broadening institutional participation in digital asset ecosystems.
- https://coingape.com/block-of-fame/pulse/animoca-to-expand-in-dubai-with-fund-manager-license/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.animocabrands.com/animoca-brands-receives-in-principle-approval-from-adgms-fsra – Animoca Brands has announced that it has received in-principle approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to operate as a regulated Fund Manager. This approval allows Animoca Brands to manage collective investment funds within ADGM, subject to fulfilling certain conditions and obtaining final regulatory approval. The company views this as a significant step in its strategy to build institutional capabilities and a regulated presence globally, particularly in the Middle East, where it already has a presence in Dubai to support Web3 activities in the region.
- https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/11/24/animoca-brands-wins-initial-approval-to-operate-regulated-fund-in-abu-dhabis-adgm/ – Animoca Brands has received in-principle approval from Abu Dhabi’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) to operate as a regulated fund manager within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This approval supports the company’s Middle East expansion and efforts to build institutional, licensed investment channels for Web3. The company manages a portfolio of over 600 Web3 investments, positioning it as one of the industry’s largest and most active backers. The approval aligns with Animoca’s goal to build regulated, compliant pathways for global institutional participation in Web3.
- https://www.coindesk.com/nl/policy/2025/11/24/animoca-brands-wins-initial-approval-to-operate-regulated-fund-in-abu-dhabis-adgm – Animoca Brands ontving in principe goedkeuring van de FSRA van Abu Dhabi om te opereren als gereguleerde fondsbeheerder binnen ADGM. De goedkeuring ondersteunt de uitbreiding van het bedrijf in het Midden-Oosten en de inspanningen om institutionele, gelicentieerde investeringskanalen voor Web3 op te bouwen. Het bedrijf beheert een portefeuille van meer dan 600 Web3-investeringen, waarmee het zich positioneert als een van de grootste en meest actieve investeerders in de sector. De goedkeuring is in lijn met Animoca’s doel om gereguleerde, conforme paden te creëren voor wereldwijde institutionele deelname aan Web3.
- https://www.coindesk.com/fil/policy/2025/11/24/animoca-brands-wins-initial-approval-to-operate-regulated-fund-in-abu-dhabis-adgm/ – Ang Animoca Brands ay nakatanggap ng in-principle na pag-apruba mula sa FSRA ng Abu Dhabi upang gumana bilang isang regulated fund manager sa loob ng ADGM. Ang pag-aprubang ito ay sumusuporta sa pagpapalawak ng kumpanya sa Gitnang Silangan at sa mga pagsisikap nitong bumuo ng mga institusyonal, lisensyadong mga channel sa pamumuhunan para sa Web3. Ang kumpanya ay namamahala ng isang portfolio ng higit sa 600 Web3 na pamumuhunan, na naglalagay dito bilang isa sa pinakamalaki at pinakaaktibong mga tagasuporta sa industriya. Ang pag-apruba ay tumutugma sa layunin ng Animoca na bumuo ng mga regulated, compliant na mga landas para sa pandaigdigang institusyonal na partisipasyon sa Web3.
- https://www.cryptopolitan.com/animoca-brands-license-uae-fund-management/ – Animoca Brands has secured its second in-principle approval in the UAE, this time from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) for a regulated Fund Manager license. This approval allows Animoca to establish and operate regulated investment funds from ADGM, likely including venture funds dedicated to Web3, gaming, tokenization, the metaverse, and other digital asset sectors. The company already has a physical office in Dubai, which it opened earlier this year, and this new authorization is expected to attract institutional investors who prefer regulated structures.
- https://www.gfmreview.com/crypto/animoca-brands-secures-in-principle-approval-to-operate-as-a-fund-manager-in-abu-dhabi – Animoca Brands has received in-principle approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to operate as a regulated Fund Manager. This approval is a significant step in the company’s Middle East expansion, allowing it to manage collective investment funds from within ADGM. The move aligns with Animoca’s strategy to build institutional capabilities and a regulated presence globally, particularly in the Middle East, where it already has a presence in Dubai to support Web3 activities in the region.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with no evidence of prior publication. The earliest known publication date is November 24, 2025. The report is based on a press release from Animoca Brands, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Animoca Brands’ Managing Director for Middle East, Omar Elassar, and ADGM’s Chief Market Development Officer, Arvind Ramaurthy, are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from CoinGape, a cryptocurrency-focused news outlet. While it provides timely coverage, its reputation and editorial standards are less established compared to major news organisations. Therefore, the source’s reliability is uncertain.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Animoca Brands receiving in-principle approval from the FSRA of ADGM are plausible and align with the company’s recent expansion efforts in the Middle East. The UAE is indeed a growing hub for Web3 and digital assets, supporting the narrative’s credibility. The language and tone are consistent with corporate communications, and the report lacks excessive or off-topic detail.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents fresh and plausible information, with direct quotes indicating potential originality. However, the source’s reliability is uncertain due to CoinGape’s less established reputation. Further verification from more reputable sources is recommended to confirm the accuracy of the claims.