Animoca

Animoca Brands Corporation Ltd., headquartered in Cyberport, Hong Kong, is a dynamic company blending video game development, venture capital, and blockchain technology. Established in 2014 by Yat Siu and David Kim, it initially focused on mobile games before pivoting towards blockchain gaming and FTs in 2018. 

The company's diverse portfolio includes popular titles like The Sandbox, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, and Crazy Defense Heroes, alongside ventures into digital collectables and blockchain-based racing through REVV Motorsport. Animoca Brands has grown significantly, with a reported revenue of £923 million in 2022, underscoring its impact in the global entertainment sector.

Led by Yat Siu as Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Animoca Brands is known for its innovative approach in merging gaming with blockchain technology, creating new avenues for player engagement and digital ownership. The company has expanded its influence through strategic acquisitions of studios like nWay and Eden Games, and partnerships with major brands including WWE and Manchester City FC. 

With around 500 employees driving its vision, Animoca Brands continues to pioneer new developments in gaming and blockchain, aiming to reshape the future of digital entertainment globally.
 

Animoca Brands Corporation Ltd. was founded in 2014 by Yat Siu and David Kim. Headquartered in Cyberport, Hong Kong, the company began as a mobile game developer with a focus on creating popular titles for smartphones and tablets. Its early success was driven by games like Crazy Kings and Crazy Defense Heroes, which quickly gained traction in the market, generating substantial revenue. These games played a crucial role in establishing Animoca Brands in the mobile gaming industry.

In 2018, Animoca Brands made a significant shift in its business strategy by moving into blockchain gaming and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This move was sparked by the growing interest in blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionise digital ownership within gaming. To facilitate this shift, Animoca made several key acquisitions, including the purchase of Pixowl, the developer behind The Sandbox, a platform that allows users to create, own, and monetise virtual worlds. The integration of blockchain technology into their games provided players with the ability to truly own in-game assets, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s growth.

The Sandbox became a central part of Animoca's strategy. This user-generated content platform uses the SAND cryptocurrency and enables players to create and sell their own virtual experiences. It became a significant player in the blockchain gaming space, contributing greatly to Animoca's success in the years that followed.

Alongside the development of blockchain-based games, Animoca Brands pursued a strategy of expanding its portfolio through various acquisitions and partnerships. The company acquired nWay, the developer behind the Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid game, and secured licensing deals with major brands such as Formula E, Marvel, and WWE. These partnerships not only allowed Animoca to expand its game offerings but also gave the company a stronger presence in the competitive gaming sector.

The company’s ability to raise capital demonstrated strong investor confidence in its future. In 2018, Animoca Brands raised $1 million from Sun Hung Kai & Co. and $0.5 million from Lympo, a strategic partner. In 2019, the company raised $2.5 million to further develop The Sandbox as a blockchain-based version of the popular 2012 game. The following year, Animoca raised another $2.01 million from investors, including Square Enix, to continue funding The Sandbox's development. This demonstrated Animoca’s strong position in the blockchain gaming market.

In 2021, Animoca Brands continued to secure significant funding. The company raised $88.9 million in May and another $50 million in July, bringing its valuation to $1 billion. Later that year, a $65 million investment led by Ubisoft and Sequoia Capital raised the company's valuation to $2.2 billion. Further investments followed, including $93 million from SoftBank for The Sandbox. These rounds of funding reflected the growing interest in blockchain gaming and the broader digital economy.

However, Animoca Brands’ journey was not without challenges. In March 2022, the company announced the closure of F1 Delta Time, an NFT-based game. Despite being initially successful, the game had seen a decline in sales and was ultimately shut down. Animoca Brands decided to replace F1 Delta Time’s non-functional NFTs with tokens for REVV Racing, a different blockchain-based racing game. This reflected the company’s adaptability in responding to changing market conditions and player preferences.

In June 2022, Animoca Brands faced legal issues when it was convicted for failing to lodge annual and half-yearly financial reports with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Despite this setback, the company continued to grow. In July 2022, Animoca reached a valuation of $5.9 billion, and by August, it raised $110 million in a funding round led by Temasek and GGV Capital at a $6 billion valuation. This was part of the company’s strategy to become “pre-IPO ready”.

Animoca Brands continued to expand its presence in the blockchain and gaming industries. In May 2025, the company announced plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange. In November 2025, Animoca revealed that it would go public on the Nasdaq stock exchange through a reverse merger with Currenc Group Inc., with the transaction expected to close in 2026. After the deal, Animoca’s shareholders will hold around 95% of the new entity’s shares.

Animoca Brands stands as a key player in the blockchain gaming industry, with a workforce of approximately 500 employees worldwide. The company continues to push the boundaries of digital entertainment, exploring new ways to integrate blockchain technology into its games and expanding its global footprint. Under the leadership of Yat Siu, the company remains at the forefront of innovation in the intersection of gaming and blockchain technology, shaping the future of digital ownership and virtual experiences.

Animoca Brands' mission is to pioneer the future of digital entertainment through innovative gaming experiences and blockchain technology. By empowering players with ownership of virtual assets and fostering creativity through platforms like The Sandbox, Animoca Brands aims to revolutionise how games are played and shared globally. The company's commitment to cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships with industry giants, and dedication to user-centric design underpin its mission to create immersive, engaging, and inclusive gaming ecosystems. Animoca Brands strives to lead the charge in merging gaming with blockchain to redefine digital ownership and transform the way people interact with virtual worlds.

Animoca Brands envisions a future where digital experiences transcend boundaries, empowering individuals to explore, create, and connect through immersive gaming and blockchain technology. By introducing innovations that enhance user interaction and ownership within virtual worlds, the company aims to foster a global community of passionate gamers and creators. highlighting inclusivity and accessibility, Animoca Brands strives to set new standards in gaming entertainment, ensuring that everyone can participate and benefit from the evolving digital landscape. Through strategic growth and continuous innovation, Animoca Brands aims to shape the future of digital entertainment, making gaming more interactive, rewarding, and socially impactful.

Animoca Brands has received numerous industry accolades over the years, recognising its significant contributions to the blockchain, gaming, and Web3 sectors. These awards highlight the company's rapid growth, innovative approach, and leadership in the digital space.

In 2023, Animoca Brands was recognised in several prestigious lists. It ranked 16th on the Financial Times High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2023, reflecting its strong business performance in the region. The company was also named to the Fortune Crypto 40, a list of top companies in the crypto industry. Additionally, Animoca won the Deloitte Tech Fast award, recognising its impressive growth in the technology sector. The company’s contributions to blockchain gaming were further acknowledged when it was named Crypto Fund of the Year at the Blockchain Life Awards 2023. At the PANews PARTY AWARD 2023, Animoca Brands received the title of Top Web3 Investment Institution of the Year, while its subsidiary, The Sandbox, was recognised as the Top NFT Project of the Year.

The company’s continued success in blockchain gaming was acknowledged at the AIBC Eurasia Awards 2023, where Animoca was awarded Blockchain Game Provider of the Year. PocketGamer Mobile Games Awards also recognised Animoca as a finalist for Most Impactful Web3 Company, alongside The Sandbox. At the GAM3 Awards 2023, Animoca's game My Pet Hooligan won Best Action Game. Animoca also earned a spot on the nft now NFT100 list, which honours the top 100 entities in the NFT space. Most recently, Animoca was included in the Top 50 Blockchain Game Companies 2025 recognition, affirming its leadership in the blockchain gaming sector.

Earlier in its history, Animoca Brands had also been recognised for its mobile games and business achievements. In 2017, the company won two awards at Google Play Best of 2017. Its game Turbine Fighter earned the Best Digital Entertainment Grand Award at the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2017. In 2020, Animoca was recognised at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) for its effective talent mobilisation and consistent business results.

In addition to these recognitions, co-founder and Executive Chairman Yat Siu has received personal accolades. He was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and was included in Cointelegraph's list of the Top 100 Notable People in Blockchain.

Animoca Brands offers a diverse range of products and services that span gaming, blockchain technology, and digital collectibles. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Hong Kong, the company has established itself as a key player in the intersection of entertainment and technology, pioneering innovative approaches to gaming and digital assets.

Gaming Products:

Animoca Brands is renowned for its portfolio of mobile and blockchain-based games, catering to a global audience of gamers. One of their flagship games is "The Sandbox," a voxel-based gaming platform where players can create, own, and monetize virtual worlds using Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and its native cryptocurrency, SAND. This platform has gained popularity for its user-generated content model, empowering players to build their own games and virtual experiences.

Another notable title is "Rev Motorsport," a blockchain-powered racing game that integrates NFTs for in-game assets like cars and tracks, enabling players to own and trade these assets securely. Additionally, "Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid" brings the iconic Power Rangers franchise to gaming, featuring competitive multiplayer battles across various platforms.

Mobile Games:

In the realm of mobile gaming, Animoca Brands has developed "Crazy Defense Heroes" and its predecessor "Crazy Kings," both tower defence games that have garnered millions of downloads worldwide. These games combine strategic gameplay with engaging storylines and have been well-received for their interactive and challenging gameplay mechanics.

Digital Collectibles:

Animoca Brands has made significant strides in the digital collectibles market with platforms like Quidd, a marketplace for digital stickers and trading cards featuring popular IPs like Marvel, Disney, and more. They also acquired Pixowl, known for "The Sandbox Evolution," a mobile version of their flagship voxel-based platform, expanding their reach in the digital collectibles space.

Blockchain Initiatives:

As a pioneer in blockchain gaming, Animoca Brands continues to innovate with projects like "Crypto Kitties," a game where players can breed and trade virtual cats using blockchain technology. They have also partnered with industry giants like Ubisoft and Formula E to explore blockchain applications in gaming and digital assets, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the gaming industry.

Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions:

The company’s growth is further bolstered by strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Notable acquisitions include nWay, the developer behind "Power Rangers: Legacy Wars," and Blowfish Studios, expanding their capabilities in game development and publishing. These partnerships and acquisitions enhance Animoca Brands’ ability to create compelling gaming experiences and expand its market presence globally.