Evan Auyang is the Group President of Animoca Brands, a company focused on blockchain, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and digital asset development. With a background in finance, management consulting, and public sector operations, he oversees Animoca Brands' corporate strategy, global operations, and expansion into areas such as decentralized identity and Web3 education. ^[1]

Education

Auyang graduated from Brown University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science. He later pursued graduate studies at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, where he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2001. ^[3]​

Career

Auyang began his career in finance, working as a foreign exchange analyst at Bankers Trust (now Deutsche Bank) in Singapore from 1994 to 1995. He then moved to Hong Kong to join Citi, where he worked in derivatives structuring and marketing from 1995 to 1999. After completing his MBA, Auyang transitioned to management consulting, joining McKinsey & Company in 2001. As an associate partner, he spent eight years advising clients across Greater China on matters including strategy, mergers and acquisitions, infrastructure, and energy. In October 2009, Auyang took on a leadership role in the public transportation sector as the Deputy Managing Director and Deputy CEO of The Kowloon Motor Bus Company. During his tenure, which lasted until March 2016, he also served as an executive director on the board of its parent company, Transport International Holdings Limited. His responsibilities included overseeing operations and corporate governance.

Auyang returned to the corporate sector in March 2016, joining GLG (Gerson Lehrman Group) as Managing Director and Head of Asia-Pacific. He managed regional operations across Greater China, North Asia, and South Asia. In October 2018, his role was expanded to Managing Director and Head of GLG International, adding Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) to his remit. He held this global leadership position until December 2020. In April 2021, Auyang began advising Animoca Brands on strategy, investment, and partnerships. He was formally appointed Group President in October 2021, based in Hong Kong. In this role, he is responsible for the company's corporate strategy and operations, guiding its investments and expansion into new verticals within the Web3 ecosystem. ^[2]​

Throughout his career, Auyang has been actively involved in public policy and corporate governance through various board and advisory roles. Since December 2015, he has served as the chairman of Civic Exchange, a Hong Kong-based public policy think tank. He also holds positions as an independent non-executive director for Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited, a role he began in March 2018, and for Asia Financial Holdings Limited, which he joined in May 2021.

His other advisory and committee roles include serving as an advisor to the Our Hong Kong Foundation, a member of the Innovation and Technology Advisory Committee for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and a member of the Advisory Council for the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society. He has also served as a lecturer at the Hong Kong Academy of Politics and Public Policy. His past appointments include serving as a non-executive director of the Urban Renewal Authority in Hong Kong from December 2017 to November 2023, where he participated in finance and human resources committees. ^[4]​

Interviews

Open Metaverse

In a May 2025 interview with Ian Khan at Consensus 2025, Auyang discussed Animoca Brands’ expansion beyond gaming into decentralized identity, reputation systems, and global collaborations with over 600 companies. He introduced Moverse, a decentralized ID platform that tracks user behavior, and Open Campus, an initiative for decentralized educational credentialing. Auyang highlighted Animoca’s partnership with Neon to explore AI and blockchain integration for improved data governance, and announced a joint venture with Standard Chartered Bank and Hong Kong Telecom to launch a regulated Hong Kong dollar stablecoin for cross-border transactions. He addressed the uneven development of global regulations and the importance of aligning policies across jurisdictions. Auyang also spoke on NEOM’s urban development project, emphasizing the potential of AI and decentralized identity to enhance citizen experiences. He underscored the need for portable, privacy-preserving decentralized identities that function across borders and financial systems, and concluded with reflections on anticipated technological advances and institutional adoption in decentralized identity over the next five years. ^[7]

Animoca Brands

In a March 2025 episode of Animoca Brands’ Open Metaverse Podcast, Evan Auyang discussed his background in finance and entrepreneurship and outlined the evolution of Animoca Brands beyond its origins as a gaming company. He explained that the company now operates across three main pillars: digital asset advisory, Web3 business operations, and asset management. Auyang described how Animoca’s early gaming projects, including The Sandbox, helped lay the foundation for a broader portfolio of operating businesses. He noted that the company is diversifying its investments to remain competitive in volatile market conditions, expanding into areas such as artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. Auyang also highlighted educational initiatives like Open Campus, which aim to modernize education through decentralized platforms. He discussed Animoca’s extensive investment portfolio spanning multiple sectors within Web3. The conversation concluded with Auyang emphasizing company values centered on collaboration and ecosystem support rather than purely profit-driven objectives. ^[8]

East vs West Markets

In a September 2023 interview with Jia Gold of EAK TV at a Web3 event in Tokyo, Auyang discussed Animoca Brands’ global operations and the contrasting regulatory environments between Asia and the West. He noted that Asia, particularly Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, has become a central hub for digital asset ownership due to more progressive regulatory frameworks, while the U.S. faces ongoing regulatory uncertainty. Auyang described Animoca’s role as an early investor in Web3 projects and emphasized the company’s collaborative approach to ecosystem building rather than market dominance. He outlined plans to selectively expand licensed brand partnerships, mainly through subsidiaries such as The Sandbox, with a focus on customer acquisition and loyalty initiatives. Auyang stated that Animoca continues to develop products regardless of market cycles, prioritizing innovation and education in Web3. He also highlighted ongoing partnerships with corporations, including Mitsui and Mitsubishi to explore blockchain-based solutions. The interview concluded with Auyang reiterating the importance of maintaining a startup mindset as the company scales and adapts to changes in the industry. ^[9]

Presentations

Mass Web3 Adoption

In a November 2023 presentation at Synopsis, Auyang discussed the state of Web3 and its potential for long-term mass adoption despite ongoing bearish conditions in digital asset markets. He reflected on his transition from traditional finance to the technology sector, outlining his critiques of shareholder capitalism and centralized business models. Auyang described Web3 as a framework focused on decentralization, user empowerment, and more equitable value distribution, contrasting it with the monopolistic tendencies of Web2 platforms. He characterized blockchain as an “internet of value,” enabling true ownership of digital assets rather than simple data replication. While acknowledging current market downturns, he noted continued growth in active user addresses and drew parallels to the early internet era. Auyang also highlighted opportunities for brands to engage consumers directly through blockchain-based tools such as digital ticketing and loyalty systems. He concluded by outlining Animoca Brands’ initiatives, including the Moochers NFT collection, and explained the company’s integrated model combining operations, investment, and advisory services to support Web3 infrastructure and consumer engagement. ^[5]

Digital Property Rights

In a February 2022 presentation at Synopsis, Auyang outlined Animoca Brands’ role in advancing digital asset ownership and the rapid growth of NFTs during 2021 and 2022. He noted that while the company is headquartered in Hong Kong, it operates globally across regions including North America, Europe, and Australia. Auyang highlighted major projects such as The Sandbox and Ref Racing, as well as Animoca’s early investments in blockchain platforms like Axie Infinity and CryptoKitties. He discussed the broader shift from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0, emphasizing decentralization and user ownership enabled by blockchain technology. Auyang explained that Web 3.0 allows digital assets to be securely owned, traded, and transferred, supporting virtual economies comparable to physical markets. He also addressed the benefits of interoperability, where assets can move across different games and platforms, and critiqued large technology firms for centralized data control. The presentation concluded with Animoca’s plans to continue investing in Web 3.0, expand its global workforce, and develop new titles within its portfolio. ^[6]