Animoca Manufacturers has secured a Digital Asset Service Supplier (VASP) license from Dubai’s Digital Property Regulatory Authority (VARA), clearing the way in which for the corporate to broaden its crypto operations throughout the Center East.
The license permits the Hong Kong-founded Web3 investor and platform developer to supply broker-dealer companies and funding administration associated to digital belongings in and from Dubai, excluding the Dubai Worldwide Monetary Centre, in accordance to a Monday announcement. The companies are aimed primarily at institutional and certified buyers.
“This licence enhances our capacity to interact with Web3 foundations in addition to international institutional and certified buyers inside a well-regulated framework,” stated Omar Elassar, managing director for the Center East and head of world strategic partnerships at Animoca Manufacturers.
VARA, established in March 2022, is chargeable for regulating and overseeing the supply, use and trade of digital belongings throughout Dubai’s mainland and free zones.
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Animoca to serve institutional buyers in Dubai
VARA’s public register reveals that the license was issued on Feb. 5. It permits the corporate to serve institutional and certified buyers below VARA’s oversight.
Animoca Manufacturers develops blockchain platforms and helps Web3 ecosystems, together with The Sandbox, Open Campus and Moca Community, whereas additionally backing early-stage tasks. The corporate says its funding portfolio spans greater than 600 corporations and digital-asset initiatives.
In January, Animoca Manufacturers acquired gaming and digital collectibles firm Somo, including Somo’s playable and tradable collectibles to its broader portfolio of blockchain-based tasks.
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Crypto corporations broaden operations in Dubai
The transfer provides to a rising checklist of crypto companies establishing regulated operations in Dubai. In October 2025, digital asset infrastructure firm BitGo additionally obtained a broker-dealer license from Dubai’s VARA, permitting its Center East and North Africa unit to supply regulated digital-asset buying and selling and intermediation companies to institutional purchasers within the emirate.
The approval got here after VARA stated it had issued monetary penalties in opposition to 19 corporations for “unlicensed” Digital Asset actions and “breaches of VARA’s Advertising Rules.”
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