Animoca Brands Secures Dubai Virtual Asset License
Animoca Brands has obtained a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), enabling the company to operate as a broker-dealer and investment manager for virtual assets in the emirate. The license, announced Monday, covers services for institutional and qualified investors in Dubai, excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre.
The authorization solidifies Animoca Brands' expansion into Dubai's regulated virtual asset market. The company, known for platforms like The Sandbox and Moca Network, manages a portfolio of over 600 digital assets and companies. Omar Elassar, Animoca's Middle East managing director, emphasized the license's role in enhancing engagement with Web3 foundations and institutional investors under a regulated framework.
VARA, established in 2022 as the world's first independent virtual asset regulator, continues to position Dubai as a global hub for compliant crypto business operations.