Web3 gaming and blockchain company Animoca Brands announced that it has completed a strategic investment in Cool Cats Group, securing majority control of one of the most recognizable NFT collections alongside partner Coin Operated Group.
The investment gives Animoca Brands access to Cool Cats, a collection of 9,999 NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain that has generated over $410 million in trading volume since launch, ranking it 19th among top NFT collections by all-time volume, according to CryptoSlam data.
The deal comes as the NFT market shows signs of recovery, with global market capitalization reaching around $7 billion and monthly sales volumes of approximately $600 million, according to CoinGecko and CryptoSlam data.
The sector has experienced significant growth since April 2025 following a prolonged downturn.
Cool Cats originated from the “Blue Cat” comic character created in 2013 by artist Colin Egan, known as Clon, and has maintained its position as one of the most historic NFT brands despite broader market volatility.
Following the investment, Animoca Brands co-founder and executive chairman Yat Siu and Mocaverse project lead Kenneth Shek will join Cool Cats’ board of directors to guide the collection’s strategic direction.
Animoca Brands plans to create synergies between Cool Cats and its own Mocaverse NFT collection, aiming to unite Eastern and Western communities through shared intellectual property, utility programs, and rewards systems.
The integration will also involve Moca Network, Animoca’s decentralized identity platform that connects over 570 portfolio companies and 700 million addressable users.
“NFTs thrive on the strength of their communities, and by integrating Cool Cats into Mocaverse and Moca Network, we’re deepening these global connections,” Siu said in a statement. “Cats have always been the darlings of the Internet, and Cool Cats is one of the most recognized digital brands out there.”
The move represents Animoca Brands’ continued expansion in the NFT space as it builds what it calls the “open metaverse.”
The company operates multiple Web3 businesses including gaming platform The Sandbox and maintains investments in over 540 companies, including major NFT players Pudgy Penguins, Yuga Labs, and OpenSea.
Ken Cron, chairman and CEO of Coin Operated Group, described the partnership as an expansion of existing collaboration between the companies. “We share a vision for a future where Web3 fuels creativity and community,” Cron said.
For Cool Cats creator Clon, the partnership fulfills long-held ambitions to expand the brand’s global reach, particularly in Asian markets. He said:
Blue Cat has always been a character with a global heart, and I’ve long believed his story was destined to connect with audiences in the East.
The investment reflects broader consolidation trends in the NFT space as major players seek to build integrated ecosystems around popular digital collectibles.
Animoca Brands’ strategy of combining Eastern and Western NFT communities could serve as a template for future cross-cultural Web3 initiatives.