Blockchain Gaming Firm Animoca Creates Private Trading Hub for Shareholders

Following its delisting from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) last month, blockchain gaming startup Animoca Brands has engaged an online marketplace to continue private trades of shares in the company.

Animoca Brands —  the parent company of TSB Gaming — has made its mark on the blockchain gaming space in recent years by collaborating with big-name firms such as Tetris creator Atari and signing a global licensing agreement with Formula 1.

On April 9, Animoca released details of its engagement with PrimaryMarkets, an Australia-based online marketplace for the trading of unlisted securities and investments.

By Q2 2020, existing shareholders and prospective professional and institutional buyers will be able to register with the newly-established online private trading hub and submit their offers for matching in a confidential manner.

ASX cites concerns over Animoca’s involvement in crypto-related activities

On March 9, ASX delisted Animoca after expressing concerns last December over what it believed to be breaches of its listing rules. These included Animoca’s “involvement in cryptocurrency related activities,” as well as governance items and the firm’s substantial use of SAFEs — Simple Agreements for Future Equities — issued by subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding Anomoca’s response to ASX in February, the exchange proceeded to delist the company last month.

With secondary trading facilities for Animoca on the new trading hub on track, Animoca says it is meanwhile making efforts to pursue other listing opportunities.

Notwithstanding its move to delist the blockchain gaming firm, ASX has been pursuing its own blockchain implementation since late 2017 by developing infrastructure that will replace its current system for processing equity transactions with a new system based on the technology.