Chiliz, a prominent blockchain provider for sports and entertainment, is set to enhance its presence in Japan through a joint venture (JV) with SBI’s digital asset arm. This strategic alliance aims to deepen fan engagement by integrating Web3 technologies into the sports sector, offering Japanese fans unprecedented access to tokens from renowned football clubs such as Arsenal, AC Milan, Manchester City, FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain.

Expanding Fan Engagement Opportunities

The partnership leverages Chiliz’s subsidiary, Socios.com, the world’s largest Web3 wallet and fan engagement platform. Socios.com boasts over two million users and has launched more than 70 Fan Tokens in collaboration with global sports organizations. These tokens are not just digital assets; they allow fans to participate in club-related decisions, access exclusive rewards, and engage with a global community of supporters.

Strategic Integration and Governance Role

The integration of the JV entity into Chiliz’s global operations is a move designed to ensure that Japanese fans can actively participate in these global fan communities. SBI group, which brings to the table a vast network of over 50 million clients across its various services, will support this integration. Additionally, SBI Digital Asset Holdings (SBI DAH) is set to join as a node operator of the Chiliz Chain, playing a pivotal role in the governance of Chiliz’s Web3 ecosystem.

Executives' Insights on the Collaboration

Fernando Luis Vázquez Cao, CEO of SBI DAH, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing the utility and value that blockchain technology brings to communities. “Technology is an enabler in the new world, and we are pleased to bring new experiences to the Japanese audience by working with strong players like Chiliz,” he stated.

Alexandre Dreyfus, CEO of Chiliz, highlighted the significance of the partnership in expanding their Fan Token offerings in Japan through registered and authorized platforms. “Japan has one of the most advanced and exciting developer communities in the world and we are proud to be working with SBI to help provide the Web3 infrastructure and tools for these developers to lead the next generation of experiences for sports entertainment brands,” Dreyfus noted.

Broader Implications and Future Prospects

The collaboration between SBI and Chiliz is set to create a robust platform for enhancing the sports and entertainment experience in Japan, leveraging the best capabilities of traditional finance and Web3. This venture follows SBI DAH’s pattern of strategic partnerships aimed at fostering innovation in the digital asset space, including a joint venture with Standard Chartered’s crypto asset subsidiary Zodia Custody targeted at institutional clients.

As Chiliz and SBI forge ahead with this partnership, the focus will be on curating new experiences for Japanese fans and clubs worldwide, potentially setting a new standard for fan engagement across the sports industry.