Animoca Brands opens first Middle East office in Dubai

Web3 investors Animoca Brands continues to grow with a new office expansion in Dubai. 

The company has also appointed Omar Elassar as managing director and head of global strategic partnerships for the new Middle East office.

Elassar brings eight years of experience in web3-native, tech, and financial business development. He will lead the company's growth and operations, driving regional expansion and partnerships. 

He's previously held senior roles at Polkadot (via Parity Technologies) and Ripple, leading strategic partnerships across gaming, music, social networks, RWA tokenisation, and payments. 

His earlier career includes stints at Oliver Wyman, Deloitte, and Morgan Stanley. He holds an MBA from INSEAD and a Computer Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo.

New opportunities 

Animoca Brands said the new Dubai hub will support innovation, strengthen collaborations, and shape the company’s strategic direction in the Middle East. 

“We are excited to establish our first office in the Middle East, one of the world’s most connected innovation hubs, to leverage the region’s vibrant landscape and support the evolving needs of the web3 industry locally and globally," said Omar Elassar. 

“Joining Animoca Brands at this phase in its journey presents a unique opportunity to work with visionary builders and contribute to the wider integration of blockchain technology in a market that is poised for significant growth.” 

Animoca Brands group president Evan Auyang commented: “Omar’s deep expertise in Web3 makes him an exceptional addition to Animoca Brands. His leadership will be a key driver in driving Animoca Brands’ strategic growth in the Middle East and beyond.”