Animoca Brands to Broaden Scope Beyond Gaming in 2026
Animoca Brands is preparing to expand its investment and operational focus beyond gaming in 2026, marking a strategic shift for a company long regarded as a leading force in blockchain entertainment. According to senior executives, the next phase of the firm’s growth will include targeted initiatives in stablecoins, decentralized finance, artificial intelligence, and decentralized physical infrastructure networks. The move reflects Animoca’s view that Web3 technologies are entering a new stage of development, where applications extend beyond entertainment into financial services, infrastructure, and on-chain data economies.
Gaming currently represents the largest segment of Animoca’s portfolio, with approximately 230 of its roughly 600 invested companies tied to the sector. However, leadership has emphasized that future investment decisions will be shaped by broader ecosystem opportunities rather than by any single vertical. Executives noted that Animoca aims to invest in dozens of companies each year across sectors ranging from gaming and AI to infrastructure and tokenized financial products.
Strategic rationale, risks and implications for the Web3 sector
The decision to broaden focus is influenced by emerging trends across the blockchain industry. Stablecoins and tokenized finance are viewing rapid institutional adoption, DeFi continues to evolve as on-chain liquidity deepens, AI models are increasingly integrating with blockchain-based applications, and decentralized infrastructure networks are gaining traction as alternatives to traditional cloud systems. By moving into these areas, Animoca viewks to position itself as a diversified Web3 investment powerhouse capable of participating in multiple layers of the digital-asset economy.
This shift coincides with Animoca’s plans to enter public markets via a reverse merger with the U.S.-listed fintech company Currenc Group, targeting a Nasdaq listing in 2026. The move could grant the company greater access to capital, enhance global visibility, and solidify its ambitions to become a full-stack Web3 conglomerate. A broader product and investment portfolio may also strengthen Animoca’s long-term revenue potential, reducing dependence on the highly cyclical gaming sector.
However, diversification into new verticals introduces fresh challenges. Stablecoins and tokenized assets operate within heavily regulated environments, demanding strict compliance with global financial standards. DeFi and infrastructure investments require rigorous risk assessment to navigate technical vulnerabilities, market volatility and protocol-level security risks. AI-linked Web3 applications remain experimental, adding uncertainty around adoption timelines and regulatory oversight.
For these reasons, the success of Animoca’s expansion strategy will depend heavily on disciplined capital allocation, robust due diligence processes, and careful execution across markets with differing regulatory landscapes. The company’s ability to form strategic partnerships and build interoperable frameworks may also play a key role in enabling growth outside gaming.
Outlook and What’s next
Market observers note that Animoca’s pivot could have broad implications for the Web3 industry. As one of the sector’s most active investors, its entry into finance-focused and infrastructure-driven verticals may assist attract institutional interest, accelerate innovation and support the development of scalable on-chain ecosystems.
In summary, Animoca Brands’ plan to expand its focus beyond gaming in 2026 marks a significant evolution in its corporate strategy. By targeting stablecoins, AI, DeFi and decentralized infrastructure, the company aims to shape the next phase of the Web3 economy while positioning itself for long-term growth across multiple high-potential verticals.
