Animoca Brands has announced a strategic investment in Cool Cats Group, securing a majority stake alongside Coin Operated Group.
The deal aims to accelerate innovation, boost community engagement, and open new market opportunities for the iconic NFT collection within the fast-growing digital collectibles space.
Strengthening a Global NFT Brand
Cool Cats, a 9,999-piece NFT collection on Ethereum, is based on “Blue Cat,” a character created in 2013 by artist Colin Egan (Clon). Since launch, it has become one of the most recognizable brands in the NFT world, generating over US$410 million in total trading volume and ranking 19th among all NFT collections by lifetime sales.
The NFT market has recently rebounded, with global capitalization reaching around US$7 billion and monthly sales volumes averaging US$600 million. This renewed momentum positions Cool Cats for further growth under its new majority owners.
Board and Leadership Moves
Following the investment, Animoca Brands will appoint Yat Siu, its co-founder and executive chairman, and Kenneth Shek, project lead of Mocaverse and Moca Network, to the Cool Cats board. Their focus will be on expanding brand opportunities, integrating Web3 features, and connecting the collection to broader digital ecosystems.
Connecting East and West Communities
A core strategy is to create synergy between Mocaverse, Animoca’s Eastern-origin NFT collection, and Cool Cats, which has strong roots in Western markets. By leveraging shared intellectual property, cross-community rewards, and utility features, the two brands aim to bridge global audiences.
Additionally, Moca Network, a decentralized identity project by Animoca Brands, will collaborate with Cool Cats to enhance interoperability and growth. This integration will allow for new digital identity tools and ecosystem benefits for NFT holders.
Yat Siu expressed excitement about bringing Cool Cats into Animoca’s portfolio, highlighting the brand’s strong community and universal appeal. Ken Cron, chairman and CEO of Coin Operated Group, emphasized the shared vision of using Web3 to empower creativity and connection. Clon, creator of Blue Cat, called the partnership a “dream come true” that will help bring the character’s story to audiences worldwide.