Approval followed VARA enforcement against unlicensed firms.
Animoca Brands secured a Virtual Asset Service Provider license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority on Feb. 5, expanding its regulated footprint in the Middle East. The Hong Kong-founded Web3 investor said the approval allows broker-dealer and investment management services in and from Dubai, excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre. The services targeted institutional and qualified investors under VARA supervision.
This Crypto News development came amid Dubai’s tightening of regulatory oversight across its digital asset sector. Authorities continued refining licensing rules while penalizing firms operating without authorization. Against that environment, established crypto companies increasingly pursued formal approval to access regional capital.
VARA’s public register confirmed the license issuance and outlined the scope of permitted activities. The authorization allowed Animoca Brands to act as an intermediary for virtual asset transactions and to manage investments for eligible clients across Dubai’s mainland and free zones. Activity inside the Dubai International Financial Centre remained outside this approval.
Omar Elassar, managing director for the Middle East and head of global strategic partnerships, said the license enhanced engagement with Web3 foundations and institutional capital. His statement positioned the move as a structural compliance step rather than a retail expansion. That framing aligned with VARA’s emphasis on regulated institutional participation.
The regulatory approval followed enforcement measures against 19 companies for unlicensed virtual asset activity and marketing violations. Those penalties signaled stricter compliance standards for firms operating in the emirate. As oversight increased, licensed entities gained clearer operational boundaries.
Dubai established VARA in March 2022 to regulate digital asset issuance, trading, and custody across the emirate’s mainland and free zones. The authority aimed to centralize supervision of virtual asset service providers while formalizing industry growth. Over time, global firms sought authorization to align with Dubai’s structured regime.
In October 2025, digital asset infrastructure company BitGo obtained a broker-dealer license from VARA for its Middle East and North Africa operations. That approval permitted regulated trading and intermediation services for institutional clients in the emirate. The move reflected a broader pattern of crypto businesses transitioning into licensed frameworks.
Crypto News coverage increasingly focused on Dubai as a regional compliance hub. This shift occurred because global regulators intensified scrutiny of digital asset firms following high-profile failures elsewhere. Dubai positioned itself as a jurisdiction combining enforcement with defined operational pathways.
Animoca Brands built its model around blockchain platforms and Web3 ecosystem investments. The company supported projects such as The Sandbox, Open Campus, and Moca Network, while backing early-stage digital asset initiatives. Its portfolio included more than 600 companies and token-based ventures.
In January, Animoca Brands acquired gaming and digital collectibles company Somo. The acquisition integrated playable and tradable digital collectibles into its broader blockchain exposure. That transaction complemented its strategy of supporting tokenized ecosystems under regulated structures.
The VASP license created a compliant channel for deploying capital and delivering structured services to institutional investors. Instead of focusing on retail markets, the company emphasized regulated engagement with qualified participants. That approach reduced regulatory uncertainty and aligned operations with VARA’s framework.
Dubai’s enforcement activity and continued license approvals suggest further consolidation around authorized operators. The next Crypto News catalyst may emerge from additional license grants or VARA enforcement updates in the coming months.
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