Animoca Brands granted VARA VASP licence to operate crypto brokerage and asset management in Dubai
Animoca Brands has been granted a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licence by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to operate virtual-asset broker‑dealer, management and investment services in and from Dubai (excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre). The licence, which follows an in‑principle clearance in October 2025 and completes VARA’s two‑stage approval process, covers services to global institutional and qualified investors. Animoca opened a Dubai office in 2025 to expand regional partnerships and Web3 investments and manages a portfolio of more than 600 companies and digital assets across projects including Moca Network and Open Campus. The approval lets Animoca offer institutional crypto brokerage, digital-asset management and investment services onshore in Dubai, strengthening the company’s regulatory footing in the Middle East. For traders, the licence signals deeper institutional adoption and clearer regulatory pathways in Dubai, which may increase onshore flows and liquidity for tokens tied to Animoca’s ecosystem and partners. Primary keywords: Animoca Brands, VARA, VASP licence, Dubai crypto, institutional crypto services.
Bullish
The VARA VASP licence for Animoca Brands is likely bullish for tokens and projects directly tied to Animoca’s ecosystem. Regulatory approval enables onshore institutional services and crypto brokerage in Dubai, which can unlock new liquidity sources from regional and global institutional clients. In the short term, expect improved sentiment for Animoca-linked assets and potentially higher trading volumes as market participants price in increased institutional access and regulatory clarity. In the medium to long term, the licence strengthens Animoca’s ability to scale asset management and investment services in a regulated hub, supporting sustained demand and deeper market-making for affiliated tokens. Downside risks include broader market volatility and that approval alone does not guarantee immediate large capital inflows — actual impact depends on how quickly Animoca activates services and secures institutional mandates.