Animoca Brands Corporation Ltd is set to become one of the first major Web3 firms to see its equity tokenised, with global investment platform Republic announcing plans to mint Animoca shares on the Solana blockchain.
The move will create a new pathway for global investors to gain exposure to Animoca’s unlisted equity, which until now has mainly been accessible through private secondary markets. Republic says the initiative combines regulatory compliance with blockchain efficiency, aiming to democratise access to one of the world’s most active Web3 investors.
Broadening investor access
Republic’s solution will issue tokenised Animoca equity directly into participating investors’ wallets, with secondary trading facilitated through its global marketplace. The firm emphasised that tokenisation would deliver improved transparency and liquidity for existing shareholders, while opening the door to a much wider pool of retail and institutional investors.
Andrew Durgee, co-chief executive officer of Republic, said the initiative was a step forward in merging traditional finance with blockchain-native infrastructure.
“Our initiative to tokenise Animoca Brands’ equity represents a meaningful development in the convergence of traditional finance with blockchain-based solutions, setting a precedent for how companies can structure their equity for the future,” Durgee said.
Solana infrastructure
The equity tokens will be minted on the Solana blockchain, which Republic and Animoca described as a high-performance network designed to handle global-scale capital markets.
Lily Liu, president of the Solana Foundation, said: “Tokenising Animoca Brands’ equity on Solana showcases what Internet Capital Markets make possible — instant, global access to private company ownership. This is a glimpse of the future, where retail investors worldwide can participate in opportunities once reserved for a few, and companies can tap into liquidity and distribution on a global scale.”
Aligning with Animoca’s Web3 mission
Animoca Brands executive chairman and co-founder Yat Siu said the tokenisation plan aligned with the company’s long-standing goal of broadening access to digital property rights.
“We are excited about Republic’s initiative to tokenise the equity of Animoca Brands, a move that resonates with our core belief in democratising ownership and access,” Siu said.
The Hong Kong-based firm has built one of the largest portfolios in the Web3 sector, with more than 600 investments spanning gaming, metaverse, blockchain infrastructure and decentralised finance.
Republic’s track record
Founded in New York, Republic has become a leading global platform for private investments, with more than US$3 billion deployed across 2,500 companies. It has pioneered blockchain-powered access to private equity, film, sports and pre-IPO opportunities, backed by institutions including Valor Equity Partners and Galaxy Interactive.
The tokenisation of Animoca Brands’ equity follows Republic’s earlier innovations such as Mirror Tokens, designed to offer global retail investors exposure to late-stage private companies.
Further details of the Animoca equity tokenisation and trading schedule are expected to be released in the coming months.