Animoca Brands Aims for a U.S. IPO to Harness the ‘Trump-Era Opportunity’ – FT

TL;DRAnimoca Brands, one of the global giants in the Web3 ecosystem, plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange, leveraging the favorable shift in crypto regulation under the Trump administration. Executive chairman Yat Siu highlighted that this moment represents a “unique opportunity.”With over 540 investments in the crypto and metaverse sectors, the company aims to solidify its position as a global leader from U.S. territory.Animoca Brands, recognized for its key role in the NFT boom and its vast network of investments in companies like Axie Infinity, OpenSea, and Kraken, has decided to focus its IPO strategy in the United States. Originally, the company was considering options in Hong Kong and the Middle East, regions that have traditionally been more open to digital assets. However, the renewed vision of U.S. crypto policy under Donald Trump’s administration has completely changed the landscape. According to CEO Yat Siu, “It would be a waste not to seize this moment,” referring to an environment that is now more friendly to Web3 innovation. Under the administration of Joe Biden, the regulatory landscape was marked by harsh actions against companies like Coinbase and Kraken. But in 2025, with the less conservative push and a more technology-friendly approach, those actions have begun to be reversed. Animoca sees this as a clear signal of openness, which is why it has intensified preparations for its U.S. IPO. This decision underscores the message that Web3 companies can thrive in a favorable and stable regulatory environment with better long-term prospects.The Web3 Ecosystem Recovers Optimism Thanks to the U.S.This movement also represents a growing trend: crypto companies that previously avoided the US are making a strong comeback. Exchanges like Gemini and Deribit have also begun their IPO process, and Ark Invest even anticipated that a new “crypto IPO window” will intensify with Trump in office.Animoca, which was delisted from the Australian Stock Exchange in 2020 due to regulatory issues, has managed to reinvent itself radically. Today, it holds more than $2.9 billion in off-balance-sheet tokens and maintains a healthy cash position of $293 million in cash and stablecoins. In addition to its investments, the company has expanded its business by offering advisory services in tokenomics, listing strategies, and node operations.Therefore, if the regulatory environment in the US continues to evolve favorably, Animoca’s leap to Wall Street could not only represent its consecration, but also mark the beginning of a new golden age for the global crypto industry.