Animoca Brands Eyes Crypto Expansion into DeFi and AI, Beyond Bitcoin-Led Institutional Growth

• Gaming remains the core focus with 230 investments, but the firm is diversifying into infrastructure and new sectors.

• Chief Strategy Officer Keyvan Peymani highlights interest in AI, DePIN, and DeFi as key growth areas.

• Crypto venture funding surged 290% in Q3 2025 to $4.8 billion, per Galaxy Digital, boosting established players like Animoca.

Discover how Animoca Brands is diversifying crypto investments in 2025 beyond gaming into DeFi, AI, and more. Explore opportunities and strategies for Web3 growth—stay ahead in the evolving blockchain landscape.

What Are Animoca Brands’ Expansion Plans in the Crypto Industry for 2025?

Animoca Brands’ expansion plans involve broadening its investment scope across various crypto sectors in 2025, including DePIN, DeFi, AI, stablecoins, and real-world assets (RWAs). With a current portfolio of approximately 600 companies, the Web3 gaming leader, founded in 2014, aims to lead in emerging opportunities while maintaining a strong emphasis on gaming. Chief Strategy Officer Keyvan Peymani emphasized during a recent CNBC interview that the company invests in dozens of ventures annually to align with the evolving Web3 ecosystem.

Animoca Brand’s chief strategy officer Keyvan Peymani speaking to CNBC’s Crypto World. Source: CNBC

Animoca Brands has historically focused on Web3 gaming, with early investments in projects like Axie Infinity, CryptoKitties, and Yield Guild Games. However, the firm is now allocating more resources to infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and decentralized finance. This strategic shift positions Animoca to support retail users in benefiting from Web3 advancements, such as tokenized assets and decentralized applications.

The company’s approach is proactive: whenever promising developments arise, like stablecoins and RWAs, Animoca seeks to become a market leader. Peymani noted that this diversification ensures the firm captures value across the blockchain space, fostering innovation and adoption.

How Is Animoca Brands Targeting Game-Changing Projects in Crypto?

Animoca Brands is actively seeking “game-changing” projects in the crypto sector, with a particular emphasis on stablecoins as a near-term priority. Peymani explained that the company evaluates opportunities in new sectors to drive industry transformation. For instance, stablecoins provide stability for transactions and DeFi applications, while RWAs bridge traditional finance with blockchain by tokenizing real estate or commodities.

Supporting this strategy, Animoca founder Yat Siu recently stated that institutional participation is crucial for the crypto industry’s growth phase. According to Siu, adoption will extend beyond Bitcoin to include utility-driven tokens, influenced by upcoming regulatory frameworks like the U.S. crypto market structure bill, which was drafted on November 11 and awaits a Senate vote in December. This bill aims to clarify agency oversight of digital assets, potentially accelerating institutional involvement.

Data from Galaxy Digital underscores the timeliness of Animoca’s moves: crypto venture funding reached $4.8 billion in the third quarter of 2025, a 290% increase from the previous quarter—the strongest since early 2025. Established firms, particularly those founded around 2018, attracted the majority of capital, while newer 2024 startups led in deal volume. Animoca, with its 2014 origins, exemplifies this trend, leveraging its experience to fund innovative ventures.

Expert analysis from sources like Galaxy Digital highlights how such funding waves benefit diversified portfolios. Peymani reiterated the firm’s commitment: “You should expect us to continue doing that and continue to find those projects that we think are going to be game-changing for the industry.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What Sectors Is Animoca Brands Investing In Beyond Gaming?

Animoca Brands is investing in DePIN for decentralized physical infrastructure, DeFi for financial protocols, AI for blockchain-integrated intelligence, stablecoins for payment stability, and RWAs for asset tokenization. These sectors complement its gaming focus, with the company investing in dozens of projects annually to expand its 600-company portfolio and lead Web3 innovation.

Why Is Gaming Still a Priority for Animoca Brands in 2025?

Gaming remains a top priority for Animoca Brands because it enables users to own and monetize in-game assets through Web3, creating lasting value from player efforts. Chief Strategy Officer Keyvan Peymani stated the firm is bullish on gaming’s potential, with 230 investments in this area driving ecosystem growth and real economic benefits for participants.

Key Takeaways

• Portfolio Diversification: Animoca Brands is growing beyond its 230 gaming investments into DePIN, DeFi, AI, and stablecoins to capture Web3 opportunities.
• Market Leadership Ambitions: The firm aims to lead in emerging areas like RWAs, supported by a surge in crypto funding to $4.8 billion in Q3 2025 per Galaxy Digital.
• Institutional Growth Focus: As founder Yat Siu notes, utility-driven adoption via regulations will propel the industry, positioning Animoca for Nasdaq listing via merger.

Conclusion

Animoca Brands’ expansion plans in the crypto industry for 2025 reflect a strategic pivot from gaming dominance to a broader Web3 footprint, encompassing DeFi, AI, DePIN, and stablecoins. With investments in over 600 companies and a track record of backing pioneers like Axie Infinity, the firm is poised to influence blockchain’s next evolution. As regulatory clarity emerges through bills like the U.S. market structure proposal, stakeholders should monitor Animoca’s moves for insights into sustainable growth—consider aligning portfolios with these trends for long-term value.