Animoca buys Somo as NFT market rebounds early in 2026

Hong Kong — February 12, 2026 — Animoca Brands, the prominent investor and developer in the Web3 and gaming space, announced today the successful acquisition of Somo, a leading provider of decentralized authentication and cross-chain identity solutions. The acquisition comes as the non-fungible token (NFT) market shows robust signs of recovery, marking a significant return to bullish sentiment following a prolonged period of consolidation. The strategic integration of Somo is expected to significantly bolster Animoca’s infrastructure capabilities, particularly in managing digital asset ownership and verifiable identities across its vast ecosystem of metaverse projects.

Data from leading market trackers indicates that Q1 2026 saw NFT trading volumes surge past $10 billion globally, an unprecedented increase not seen since early 2022. This rebound is characterized by renewed institutional interest and the successful launch of highly anticipated Web3 gaming titles. Industry analysts suggest that major players like Animoca are now leveraging improved capital access and lower valuation entry points to consolidate key technologies necessary for scaled Web3 operation.

Yat Siu, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Animoca Brands, commented on the deal: “The acquisition of Somo is perfectly timed to capitalize on the market’s return to growth. Verifiable decentralized identity is the bedrock of the true open metaverse, and Somo’s technology gives us a crucial advantage in ensuring seamless, secure user experiences across our partnered platforms. We are accelerating our path to mainstream adoption.” Financial details of the transaction were not immediately disclosed, though the move signals a strong commitment from Animoca to dominate the foundational layer of the Web3 economy as the post-winter rebound solidifies.

Source: Animoca buys Somo as NFT market rebounds early in 2026