Animoca Buys Somo as NFT Market Rebounds Early in 2026
- Animoca Brands acquires gaming and digital collectibles company Somo
- Deal aligns with Animoca’s broader blockchain gaming and NFT strategy
- NFT market cap rises 20% in the first two weeks of 2026
- Recent surge may reflect short-term speculation rather than sustained demand
Animoca Brands has acquired gaming and digital collectibles company Somo, expanding its portfolio as the non-fungible token (NFT) market shows early signs of recovery in 2026.
The acquisition adds Somo’s playable and tradable collectibles to Animoca’s growing ecosystem of blockchain-based gaming and digital ownership projects. While financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, Animoca said it plans to integrate Somo using shared infrastructure and its global network of partners.
Animoca Brands co-founder and executive chairman Yat Siu described the acquisition as a strategic fit.
“SOMO is building the cultural operating system for collectibles, which complements our existing portfolio,” Siu said, adding that the integration aims to connect Somo with Animoca’s global network of games, communities and partners.
The move reinforces Animoca’s long-term commitment to digital collectibles and blockchain gaming, even as the NFT sector continues to recover from a prolonged downturn.
NFT Market Shows Early Signs of Recovery
The acquisition comes as NFT market data points to a short-term rebound early in 2026. According to CoinGecko, the total NFT market capitalization rose approximately 20% in the first two weeks of the year.
Market cap increased from around $2.5 billion on Jan. 1 to over $3 billion by mid-January, marking a sharp bounce after a difficult 2025 that saw declining prices and reduced trading activity across the sector.
A significant portion of the gains occurred within a single 24-hour period, when the NFT market added roughly $300 million in value. This surge was accompanied by an 18.7% increase in daily trading volume, suggesting renewed — though possibly speculative — interest.
Community members attributed the jump to increased activity in blue-chip NFT collections, higher-value sales and token airdrops. However, it remains unclear whether the rebound reflects sustainable demand or short-term positioning.
NFTs Still Far Below Cycle Highs
Despite the recent recovery, the NFT market remains well below its previous cycle highs. On Jan. 14, 2025, total NFT market capitalization stood at approximately $7.3 billion.
Even after the early-2026 bounce, the sector is still down around 59% year-on-year, highlighting how compressed valuations remain following last year’s extended slump.
Animoca’s acquisition of Somo suggests confidence in the long-term fundamentals of digital collectibles, even as near-term market dynamics continue to be shaped by volatility and speculative flows.
