Yolo Investments is strengthening its presence in the Middle East after receiving regulatory approval in Abu Dhabi to launch a new $250 million investment fund focused on fintech, crypto and gaming ventures.
The company confirmed that its new Fund III will operate from the Abu Dhabi Global Market after securing authorization from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority. The fund will target Series A, B and C investments as Yolo continues to expand deeper into regulated international markets.
Yolo CEO Tim Heath said the company sees strong overlap between gaming, fintech and digital assets, with many gaming businesses becoming early adopters of financial technology products developed within the group’s portfolio.
The launch comes as Yolo adjusts its broader business strategy following restructuring efforts tied to less-regulated markets. The company has spent the past year reducing costs and reassessing parts of its crypto-related operations while shifting attention toward jurisdictions with clearer long-term regulatory frameworks.
The UAE has become a major focus for the group as the country continues building its regulated gaming ecosystem. Several Yolo subsidiaries have already secured vendor licenses from the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, allowing them to provide services locally. One of the company’s brands is also expected to operate the country’s first licensed online live casino studio.
Fund III follows the completion of Yolo’s previous investment vehicle, Fund II, which closed in 2025 after reaching a €100 million target despite difficult market conditions. That fund backed businesses across gaming, blockchain and fintech sectors, including crypto payment firms and betting-related startups.
The expansion into Abu Dhabi reflects a wider trend of gaming and fintech firms exploring opportunities in the Gulf region, where regulators are gradually opening the door to new entertainment and technology initiatives.