Real-world asset tokenization company Republic plans to tokenize equity in Hong Kong-based Web3 investment firm Animoca Brands. The initiative will allow a broader range of investors to gain exposure to the private company’s shares, which are not listed on any public exchange. Animoca has invested in over 600 Web3 projects to date.
Andrew Durgee, co-CEO of Republic, described the move as “a precedent for how companies can structure their equity for the future.” Lily Liu, president of the Solana Foundation, added that the tokenization demonstrates “what internet capital markets make possible,” giving retail investors access to opportunities historically limited to private markets.
The tokenized equity will be minted on Solana and distributed to investors’ wallets, with trading enabled through Republic’s infrastructure.
Growing interest in tokenized real-world assets
Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) remain a niche but increasingly popular segment within crypto markets. Animoca Brands’ equity tokenization follows research suggesting that tokenized RWAs could eventually represent trillions of dollars of traditional financial assets.
Recent activity in the space includes tokenized funds from BlackRock and VanEck integrating the Ripple USD stablecoin as an off-ramp. Additionally, a Nasdaq-listed company with a large Solana corporate treasury recently announced plans to tokenize its own equity.
Animoca Brands continues capital-intensive expansion
The equity tokenization also serves as a mechanism for Animoca Brands to raise capital amid ongoing expansion efforts. Earlier this month, Animoca participated in a $6.9 million funding round for the decentralized science platform Bio Protocol.
The company’s metaverse-focused subsidiary, The Sandbox (SAND), reportedly restructured its operations in late August. Animoca Brands also partnered with Antler’s corporate innovation arm, Ibex Japan, to launch a dedicated Web3 entertainment investment fund.