The post Animoca Brands Acquires Somo as NFT Market Rebounds in 2026 appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Animoca Brands has acquired gaming and digital collectiblesThe post Animoca Brands Acquires Somo as NFT Market Rebounds in 2026 appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Animoca Brands has acquired gaming and digital collectibles

Animoca Brands Acquires Somo as NFT Market Rebounds in 2026

Animoca Brands has acquired gaming and digital collectibles company Somo, adding Somo’s playable and tradable collectibles to its broader portfolio of blockchain-based projects.

The company said on Wednesday it plans to integrate Somo into its existing ecosystem, using shared infrastructure and partner relationships. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Animoca framed the acquisition as a strategic fit with its existing collectibles and gaming investments.

“SOMO is building the cultural operating system for collectibles, which complements our existing portfolio,” said Animoca Brands co-founder and executive chairman Yat Siu.

“By bringing SOMO into the Animoca Brands ecosystem, we aim to connect it to our global network of games, communities, and partners,” he added.

NFT market cap climbs 20% in the first two weeks of 2026

The deal comes as the non-fungible token (NFT) market recorded a short-term uptick early in 2026, with market capitalization rising about 20% in the first two weeks of the year.

Total NFT market cap in the last 14 days. Source: CoinGecko

The global NFT market cap rose about 20% in the first two weeks of 2026, climbing from $2.5 billion on Jan. 1 to over $3 billion by Wednesday, according to data from CoinGecko. 

The move marks a sharp short-term recovery after a prolonged slump that weighed on NFT prices and activity throughout 2025.

24-hour NFT heatmap. Source: CoinGecko

CoinGecko shows that a sharp jump between Tuesday and Wednesday accounted for a significant portion of the gains. 

On Tuesday, the NFT market cap hovered a little below $2.7 billion before surging to $3 billion in just 24 hours, recording a $300 million gain. This was accompanied by an 18.7% increase in 24-hour trading volume, according to CoinGecko. 

A community member attributed the jump to activity in blue-chip NFTs, higher-value sales and token airdrops, though it remains unclear whether the move reflects sustained demand or short-term speculation.

Related: What the NFT Paris cancellation says about the current state of the NFT market

NFTs are still down 59% year-on-year

Despite its recent gains, the NFT sector remains far below its previous cycle highs, underscoring how compressed valuations have become. 

On Jan. 14, 2025, the NFT market cap stood at $7.3 billion, which means that despite the recent bounce, the sector is still down by 59% year-on-year. 

Magazine: Digital art will ‘age like fine wine’: Inside Flamingo DAO’s 9-figure NFT collection

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy

Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/animoca-brands-acquires-somo-nft-market-rebound-2026?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

Market Opportunity
AINFT Logo
AINFT Price(NFT)
$0.0000003621
$0.0000003621$0.0000003621
-0.33%
USD
AINFT (NFT) Live Price Chart
Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Shocking OpenVPP Partnership Claim Draws Urgent Scrutiny

Shocking OpenVPP Partnership Claim Draws Urgent Scrutiny

The post Shocking OpenVPP Partnership Claim Draws Urgent Scrutiny appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. The cryptocurrency world is buzzing with a recent controversy surrounding a bold OpenVPP partnership claim. This week, OpenVPP (OVPP) announced what it presented as a significant collaboration with the U.S. government in the innovative field of energy tokenization. However, this claim quickly drew the sharp eye of on-chain analyst ZachXBT, who highlighted a swift and official rebuttal that has sent ripples through the digital asset community. What Sparked the OpenVPP Partnership Claim Controversy? The core of the issue revolves around OpenVPP’s assertion of a U.S. government partnership. This kind of collaboration would typically be a monumental endorsement for any private cryptocurrency project, especially given the current regulatory climate. Such a partnership could signify a new era of mainstream adoption and legitimacy for energy tokenization initiatives. OpenVPP initially claimed cooperation with the U.S. government. This alleged partnership was said to be in the domain of energy tokenization. The announcement generated considerable interest and discussion online. ZachXBT, known for his diligent on-chain investigations, was quick to flag the development. He brought attention to the fact that U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Hester Peirce had directly addressed the OpenVPP partnership claim. Her response, delivered within hours, was unequivocal and starkly contradicted OpenVPP’s narrative. How Did Regulatory Authorities Respond to the OpenVPP Partnership Claim? Commissioner Hester Peirce’s statement was a crucial turning point in this unfolding story. She clearly stated that the SEC, as an agency, does not engage in partnerships with private cryptocurrency projects. This response effectively dismantled the credibility of OpenVPP’s initial announcement regarding their supposed government collaboration. Peirce’s swift clarification underscores a fundamental principle of regulatory bodies: maintaining impartiality and avoiding endorsements of private entities. Her statement serves as a vital reminder to the crypto community about the official stance of government agencies concerning private ventures. Moreover, ZachXBT’s analysis…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 02:13
Will Bitcoin Make a New All-Time High Soon? Here’s What Users Think

Will Bitcoin Make a New All-Time High Soon? Here’s What Users Think

The post Will Bitcoin Make a New All-Time High Soon? Here’s What Users Think appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Bitcoin has broken out of a major horizontal channel
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2026/01/16 05:27
New Viral Presale on XRPL: DeXRP Surpassed $6.4 Million

New Viral Presale on XRPL: DeXRP Surpassed $6.4 Million

The post New Viral Presale on XRPL: DeXRP Surpassed $6.4 Million  appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. One of the most talked-about ecosystems in the cryptocurrency space is the XRP Ledger (XRPL), and DeXRP, the first Presale on XRPL, recently made headlines for its growth story. Attracting over 9,300 investors globally, the project has now raised over $6.4 million and is rapidly emerging as one of the most viral cryptocurrency launches of 2025. By integrating AMM and Order Book trading with a cutting-edge LP system and an open voting process for holders, DeXRP hopes to establish itself as the preferred trading destination for the XRPL community. What is DeXRP?  As the first decentralized exchange (DEX) based on XRPL, DeXRP is taking center stage as XRP continues to solidify its place in the global market. Massive expectation has been generated by the combination of DeXRP’s ambition for an advanced trading platform and XRPL’s established infrastructure, which is renowned for its quick transactions, cheap fees, and institutional-ready capabilities. In contrast to a lot of speculative presales, DeXRP’s development shows both institutional interest and community-driven momentum. Its early achievement of the $6.4 million milestone demonstrates how rapidly investors are realizing its potential. DeXRP Presale Success More than 9,300 distinct wallets have already joined the DeXRP presale, indicating a high level of interest from around the world. A crucial aspect is highlighted by the volume and variety of participation: DeXRP is not merely a niche project; rather, it is emerging as a major force in the XRPL ecosystem. DeXRP’s recent collaborations with WOW Earn and Micro3, as well as its sponsorship of the WOW Summit in Hong Kong, are also contributing factors to this uptick in investor confidence. These actions are blatant attempts to increase the company’s awareness among institutional players and crypto-native groups. The Forbes article summed it up: DeXRP is embedding credibility where others chase hype, marking it as…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 20:14