The Moscow Exchange has set its sights on attracting Russian video game developers to the stock market. This involves more than 150 companies that could become new issuers. This is an ambitious step that could radically change the landscape of the domestic game dev industry and give investors access to a high-margin sector.
As part of its strategy to expand its product line, the exchange is already in active dialogue with the specialized video game association. Based on my information, several companies from its membership have already expressed interest in raising financing through public trading. They could potentially become quality issuers capable of offering the market interesting growth stories.
Betting on a high-margin sector
The Russian gaming business comprises more than 150 active studios. This segment is characterized by high margins, making it extremely attractive for exchange-based financing. Global practice confirms this: hundreds of gaming companies trade successfully on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, about 50 on NASDAQ Stockholm, and roughly 30 on U.S. platforms. These figures are a clear argument that Russian studios have room to grow.
For the gaming segment, blockchain and cryptocurrencies have long ceased to be exotic. New technologies such as Play-to-Earn models and NFTs are changing the economics of games, giving gamers full ownership of in-game items. Developers entering organized trading is a logical step that fits into the broader trend of asset digitalization.
Financing through the exchange is not just an alternative to venture rounds and loans. It is an opportunity for studios to obtain long-term capital for scaling, and for investors — access to a new class of assets with high return potential.
New council and platform plans
To implement this initiative, the exchange plans to create a specialized video game council within the "Innovation and Investment Market" sector. This platform is aimed at young technology companies that find it difficult to enter the main market without special support. The council will become a focal point for future issuers, allowing for unified approaches to studio valuation and preparing them for listing.
The initiative is part of a broader infrastructure program. Starting September 14, the platform is extending its main trading session to 10 hours across four markets, giving investors an additional hour for operations. Additionally, in the summer, an artificial intelligence-based system was launched to detect trades with signs of market manipulation and insider trading, enhancing the transparency and fairness of trading.
Specific candidate names have not yet been disclosed, but it is clear that the association includes several companies ready for public status.
My view: this is a timely and strategically sound move. The gaming industry is one of the few sectors demonstrating steady growth even amid uncertainty. Bringing studios to the exchange will not only give them access to capital but also increase the overall attractiveness of the Russian stock market for technology investors. However, the key success factor will be the quality of issuer preparation and their ability to meet strict public disclosure requirements.