Key Takeaways
- Yat Siu, Co-founder of Animoca Brands, promotes digital property rights using blockchain to shape the open metaverse.
- Siu started his career at Atari Germany before leading projects at Lexicor and AT&T, gaining tech and business expertise.
- Siu led Animoca Brands into blockchain gaming, launching The Sandbox and digital collectibles tied to major brands.
Who Is Yat Siu?
Yat Siu, the Co-founder and Chairman of Animoca Brands, is a prominent figure in Web3, using blockchain technology to provide digital property rights to users around the globe and contribute to building the open metaverse. His mother, a native of Taiwan but born in Lisbon, Portugal, was a conductor. At the same time, his father, originally from Hong Kong, started as a musician before shifting to a business career.
Yat Siu studied at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna, where he trained in cello, flute, and piano. As reported by the South China Morning Post, he shared that his parents, both involved in music, encouraged him to follow a musical path.
Early Career in Gaming and Technology
Yat Siu’s career began at Atari Germany, where he gained valuable experience in gaming and technology. After that, he took on leadership positions at Lexicor, where he was in charge of operations on the East Coast, and at AT&T, where he managed the Solutions System Integration practice. These early roles helped build his knowledge in technology, business growth, and managing large digital projects.
Cybercity and the Growth of Freenation
In 1996, after relocating to Hong Kong, Siu started Cybercity, one of the early companies offering internet and email services. The company later changed its name to Freenation, which the South China Morning Post described as “Asia’s first free web page and email provider.” This project reflected Siu’s goal of making digital access available to more people and helping internet use grow across Asia.
Starting Outblaze
In 1998, Siu partnered with Antony Yip, a tech-focused entrepreneur, to create Outblaze. The platform let users build their own websites with custom email services, mailing lists, forums, and chat features. Outblaze became a major player in online communication, attracting millions of users worldwide and proving Siu’s talent for spotting new opportunities in the growing internet industry.
Support for Arts and Education
Alongside his business work, Siu has deeply supported arts and education. In 2003, he joined the board of the Asian Youth Orchestra, helping to promote music education in the region. Ten years later, in 2013, he became an advisory board member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), strengthening the connection between technology and entertainment. His commitment to education continued in 2020 when he joined the board of the Dalton Foundation, which supports the Dalton School Hong Kong (DSHK). This school encourages independent and creative learning.
Co-Founding Animoca Brands
In 2015, Siu co-founded Animoca Brands and took on the role of Director. The company began as a game developer and publisher, creating mobile games based on well-known characters like CryptoKitties, Garfield, Doraemon, and Ultraman. Animoca Brands was later listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: AB1), marking the start of its fast growth in the gaming industry.
Moving into Web3 and Blockchain Gaming
With Siu leading the way, Animoca Brands grew beyond regular mobile gaming and started using blockchain technology, adding artificial intelligence (AI) and game-like features. The company created blockchain-based games like The Sandbox, Crazy Kings, and Crazy Defense Heroes, along with digital collectibles linked to well-known franchises like Thomas & Friends™, Garfield, and Doraemon. By 2018, Siu became Chairman of Animoca Brands, guiding the company’s move into Web3 and digital ownership.
Major Investments and Funding
As Animoca Brands grew, it attracted big investments. In 2021, the company raised $138.88 million in two funding rounds, reaching a $1 billion valuation and becoming a crypto unicorn. In 2023, it secured $20 million in September and $11.89 million in December from investors like CMCC Global, Kingsway Capital Partners, Block1, Dapper Labs, and OKX Ventures. By November 2024, Animoca Brands raised another $10 million to improve Mocaverse’s connectivity, helping bring Web3 technology to more people.
Growth and New Projects
Animoca Brands became an important player in blockchain gaming and digital assets. In March 2023, the company launched Mocaverse, a Web3 community with 8,888 NFT avatars divided into five groups: Dreamers, Builders, Angels, Connectors, and Neo-Capitalists. This project grew Animoca Brands’ presence in digital ownership and community-focused experiences.
Hong Kong Web3 Task Force Role
In July 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government invited Siu to join its Task Force on Promoting Web3 Development because of his knowledge in blockchain and digital economies. Led by the Financial Secretary, the task force includes 15 independent members, along with government officials and financial regulators. Their goal is to create policies that help Hong Kong become a leading center for blockchain technology and Web3 growth.
Cybersecurity Issues and Industry Support
Even with his success, Siu encountered security problems. On December 26, 2024, his X (formerly Twitter) account was hacked and used to promote a fake token. Animoca Brands quickly warned the public, making it clear that Siu had not released any official token or NFT. This event showed the risks in the digital asset world and the need for stronger security in Web3 platforms. Siu remains a strong supporter of safe and decentralized digital ownership, helping shape the future of blockchain, gaming, and the metaverse.
Vision for Digital Ownership and the Open Metaverse
Yat Siu believes that blockchain can give people real ownership of their digital things, like game items and online identities. He wants to create an open metaverse where users have full control instead of big companies. Through Animoca Brands, he works to bring Web3 into gaming and digital experiences, making sure players and creators can benefit from what they build and own. He also pushes for digital worlds to connect so that assets can move freely between them, creating a fairer and more open internet for everyone.
Final Thoughts
Yat Siu’s journey from music to technology shows his ability to learn and create new things. Through Animoca Brands, he has helped shape Web3, digital ownership, and blockchain gaming.
His leadership, investments, and work in Hong Kong’s Web3 policies show his commitment to a more open and fair digital world. Despite challenges like security risks, he continues to push for a future where people truly own their digital assets. His work shapes the future of blockchain, gaming, and the metaverse.
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