Animoca Brands secures Dubai VASP license for crypto services

Animoca Brands secured a VASP license from Dubai’s VARA, enabling regulated virtual asset services for institutional investors and supporting its Middle East expansion.

Animoca Brands has received a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This license enables the company to offer broker-dealer, trading, management, and investment services for virtual assets to institutional and qualified investors in Dubai, excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre. This regulatory achievement marks Animoca Brands’ official entry into Dubai’s regulated virtual asset market and supports its broader expansion across the Middle East. Operating under VARA’s framework allows the company to strengthen its engagement with Web3 foundations and global investors. Known for its extensive digital asset and blockchain gaming portfolio, Animoca Brands is also advancing stablecoin and real-world asset tokenization initiatives. The approval builds on previous in-principle licenses in the UAE and aligns with Dubai’s ambition to be a hub for regulated crypto businesses. VARA, established in 2022, oversees all virtual asset activities in Dubai, ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering, cybersecurity, and consumer protection standards.