The world of Web3 is a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape, and at the forefront of this innovation is Animoca Brands. Known for its pioneering work in blockchain gaming, the company is signaling a significant strategic expansion heading into 2026. Chief Strategy Officer Keyvan Peymani recently shared insights into their ambitious plans, revealing a deliberate move to broaden their investment scope beyond their core gaming focus. This strategic pivot is not just about diversification; it's about understanding and shaping the future of the entire Web3 ecosystem.
Peymani articulated this vision during a recent CNBC interview, stating, "We invest in dozens of companies a year. The aim for that, whether it is AI or DePIN or DeFi or games, or any of the kind of new sectors and stablecoins and opportunities that are coming in, is to always look at how the ecosystem we are a part of is expanding." This forward-thinking approach underscores Animoca Brands' commitment to identifying and nurturing nascent technologies and market trends that will define the next era of digital innovation.
A Portfolio Built on Vision
Since its founding in 2014, Animoca Brands has cultivated an impressive portfolio, currently encompassing around 600 companies. Gaming has historically been the cornerstone of their investments, with a substantial 230 of their total investments dedicated to the gaming sector. Early bets on groundbreaking projects like Axie Infinity, CryptoKitties, Colossal, and Yield Guild Games have solidified their reputation as a key player in the Web3 gaming revolution. These early successes have not only generated significant returns but have also provided invaluable insights into the mechanics of building and scaling decentralized gaming economies.
However, the company's strategic foresight extends far beyond gaming. Peymani highlighted a growing investment focus in critical infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), and decentralized finance (DeFi). This expansion reflects a sophisticated understanding of how these interconnected fields are crucial for the broader adoption and maturation of Web3 technologies. By investing in these foundational areas, Animoca Brands is positioning itself to capitalize on and contribute to the development of a more robust and interconnected Web3 future.
Embracing New Frontiers: Stablecoins and RWAs
Animoca Brands is not content to merely follow trends; they aim to lead them. "What we aim to do is whenever there is something interesting and exciting happening, as with stablecoins and RWAs (Real-World Assets), that we’re going to become one of the market leaders," Peymani declared. This ambition signals a clear intent to be at the forefront of emerging financial technologies that bridge the gap between traditional finance and the digital asset world. The company sees significant potential in stablecoins for facilitating transactions and in RWAs for bringing tangible value onto the blockchain, thereby expanding the utility and reach of the Web3 ecosystem to the broader retail sector.
The company's founder, Yat Siu, further elaborated on this vision, emphasizing the critical role of institutional participation in the next phase of crypto growth. He noted that this growth won't solely be driven by Bitcoin but will increasingly involve the adoption of blockchain technology for its utility, particularly in reshaping market structures. This perspective aligns with the ongoing developments in regulatory frameworks, such as the draft crypto market structure bill being considered by US lawmakers, which aims to provide clearer guidelines for the industry.
The Promise of Game-Changing Innovation
Animoca Brands' investment philosophy is centered on identifying and backing projects that have the potential to be truly "game-changing" for the industry. This means looking for innovations that can fundamentally alter how we interact with digital assets, economies, and even traditional financial systems. The focus on stablecoins as a near-term priority is a testament to their belief in their transformative power for payments, remittances, and broader financial inclusion.
The company's commitment to innovation is further underscored by its planned public listing on the Nasdaq next year, achieved through a reverse merger with Currenc Group, a fintech company specializing in AI. This move is expected to provide Animoca Brands with greater access to capital and a broader platform to showcase its vision and achievements to a global audience.
Gaming Remains a Core Pillar
Despite the strategic expansion into new verticals like AI, DePIN, and DeFi, Animoca Brands remains unequivocally bullish on the gaming sector. Peymani reiterated, "We’re still very bullish on what’s going to happen in games and how people can truly benefit from their time and energy and effort and money that they spend in those games to have an asset that lives beyond in the Web3 space." This enduring commitment to gaming reflects the company's foundational belief in the power of play and its potential to drive mainstream adoption of Web3 technologies. The vision is to create gaming experiences where players truly own their in-game assets, which have real-world value and can persist beyond the lifespan of a single game.
The broader market sentiment for crypto venture funding has also shown a strong resurgence. The third quarter of 2025 witnessed a remarkable 290% quarter-on-quarter increase in funding, reaching its strongest point since Q1, with $4.8 billion invested. Notably, established companies, particularly those founded around 2018, have attracted the majority of this capital, while newer ventures from 2024 are leading in deal volume. This indicates a maturing market that is increasingly backing proven innovators and promising new entrants alike.
Navigating the Future with Intelligence
For businesses and fanpage administrators navigating the complexities of the digital asset space, understanding the strategic direction of key players like Animoca Brands is crucial. Their expansion into AI, DePIN, and DeFi, alongside their continued dominance in gaming, highlights the interconnectedness of these emerging technologies. As the Web3 ecosystem matures, companies that can effectively integrate these diverse elements will be best positioned for success.
At RWA Times, we are dedicated to providing the structured intelligence needed to make sense of this rapidly evolving market. Our AI-powered platform analyzes and categorizes news across over 40 topics, including AI, DeFi, and RWAs, offering sentiment analysis, novelty scoring, and transparent reasoning. This allows you to cut through the noise and focus on the insights that matter most for your business strategy.
Whether you're exploring the potential of tokenized assets, the impact of AI on financial markets, or the growth of decentralized infrastructure, staying informed is paramount. Animoca Brands' strategic expansion serves as a powerful indicator of where the industry is heading. By embracing a holistic view of Web3, they are paving the way for a more integrated and innovative future.
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