What are Fan Tokens?

In a nutshell, fan tokens are blockchain-based cryptocurrencies that give holders special rights and privileges related to a specific team or organisation. In some ways, fan tokens are like NFTs (non-fungible tokens), but unlike NFTs they are interchangeable, or fungible – meaning that they can be exchanged for products or services.

Typically, someone who holds fan tokens of, for example, a football team, will get voting rights (with votes weighted according to the number of tokens held) in certain team decisions, access to exclusive interactive features and events, and other rewards. However, unlike traditional club memberships, fan tokens can be traded on exchanges.

Fan Tokens vs NFTs

Fan Tokens are like special club memberships for fans, offering engagement and experiences, while NFTs are more like unique digital collectibles with value tied to their rarity and uniqueness. Both are exciting parts of the digital world, using blockchain to bring new experiences and opportunities!

Fan Tokens vs Crypto

Crypto, like Bitcoin or Ethereum, is a form of digital currency used for buying, selling, and investing. On the other hand, Fan Tokens are more like VIP passes to your favorite band’s backstage or a special key to an exclusive sports club.

How do Fan Tokens work?

Fan Tokens are a fascinating blend of fandom and technology. Here’s an informative breakdown of how they work:

Did you know?In late 2022, AC Milan fan token holders got the right to enter an exclusive draw to win the prize of travelling with the first team as they flew to London to play in a Champions League match. 
Source: Socios Italia
What Are FAN TOKENS?

What are popular Types of Fan Tokens?

At the time of writing, football (or soccer for our North American friends) has embraced fan tokens more enthusiastically than any other sport. In fact, by mid 2022, many European, Latin American, and Asian clubs and organisations were already offering fan tokens. But, the trend was also starting to catch on with other sectors, especially esports and motorsport. 

Interestingly, North American leagues and teams are showing interest in fan tokens, and have partnered with apps like Socios.com (more on that later), but have been slow in actually issuing fan tokens – largely due to regulatory uncertainty. 

Illustration of football fan tokens

Football Fan Tokens

The following football clubs had either issued fan tokens, or were planning an FTO (fan token offering) at the time of writing:

FOOTBALL CLUBFAN TOKEN CODE
FC Barcelona$BAR
Juventus$JUV
Paris Saint-Germain$PSG
AC Milan$ACM
AS Roma$ASR
Atletico de Madrid$ATM
Club Atletico Independiente$CAI
Galatasaray S.K.$GAL
Instanbul Basaksehir FK$IBFK
Manchester City FC$CITY
Novara Calcio$NOV
Sint-Truidense Voetbalvereniging$STV
Trabzonspor$TRA
Universidad de Chile$UCH
BSC Young Boys$YBO
Apollon Limassol FV$APL
Legia Warsaw$LEG
Fortuna Sittard$FOR
Goztepe S.K.$GOZ
Alanyaspor$ALA
Levante U.D.$LEV
Argentine Football Association$ARG
Club Atletico Mineiro$GALO
Valencia CF$VCF
Corinthians$SCCP
Portugal National Team$POR
Arsenal FC$AFC
FC Internazionale Milano$INTER
GNK Dinamo Zagreb$DZG
Everton Football Club$EFC
Leeds United FC$LUFC
Aston Villa$AVL
Flamengo$MENGO
Samsunspor$SAM
Sao Paulo FC$SPFC
Racing Club$RACING
Bologna FC$BFC
Gaziantep F.K.$GFK
Napoli$NAP
Millonarios FC$MFC
Club Santos Laguna$SAN
Atlas FC$ATLAS
AS Monaco FC$ASM
Italy National Team$ITA
CR Vasco da Gama$VASCO
Club Atletico River Plate$CARP
Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras$VERDAO
Crystal Palace F.C.$CPFC
Sevilla FC$SEVILLA
Udinese Calcio$UDI
S.C. Internacional$SACI
Esporte Clube Bahia$BAHIA
Fluminense$FLU
S.L. Benfica$BENFICA
Persib Bandung$PERSIB
Persija$PRSJ
Chivas$CHVS
Bali United$BALI
Real Sociedad$RSO
Tigres$TIGRES
Illustration of esports fan tokens

Esports Fan Tokens

Professional esports organisations and teams have also been among the first to launch fan tokens, giving their fans access to influence and opportunities

ESPORTS ORG.FAN TOKEN CODE
Natus Vincere$NAVI
Vitality$VIT
Team Heretics$TH
OG$OG
Alliance$ALL
Endpoint CEX$ENDCEX
Made in Brasil$MIBR
Did you know?
In late 2021, pro esports organisation NAVI let its fan token holders vote to choose the new in-game banner for DOTA2.
Source: Natus Vincere
Illustration of motorsport fan tokens

Motorsport Fan Tokens

Car racing teams have also begun to discover the benefits of issuing fan tokens to connect with audiences and monetise their brands. So far, only a handful of motorsports teams have issued tokens, but we expect this to change as they become more popular.

MOTORSPORT TEAMFAN TOKEN CODE
Roush Fenway Racing (NASCAR)$ROUSH
Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team$AM
Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN$SAUBER

Rugby Fan Tokens

Several European rugby teams have already issued fan tokens, and we expect more will follow suit soon. Those currently on the market include:

RUGBY TEAMFAN TOKEN CODE
Harlequins$QUINS
Leicester Tigers$TIGERS
Saracens$SARRIES
Stade Francais ParisTo be issued
The SharksTo be issued

Tennis Fan Tokens

Even tennis has got in on the action, with the Davis Cup issued a fan token (code: $DAVIS). 

Illustration of American football fan tokens

American Football Fan Tokens

Although at the time of writing, no American football teams had actually issued fan tokens, several NFL teams had partnered with Socios.com – a fan token ecosystem – so are likely to issue them at some time in the future. These include:

Illustration of basketball fan tokens

Basketball Fan Tokens

Again, like American football, no NBA or WNBA teams had issued fan tokens at the time of writing, but many had partnered with Socios.com – indicating we may be seeing fan tokens issued in the near future. These basketball teams include:

Illustration of hockey fan tokens

Ice Hockey Fan Tokens

Like other US leagues, no NHL teams had issued fan tokens at the time of writing, but several had entered partnerships with Socios.com – indicating we might be seeing FTOs (fan token offerings) soon. These include:

Illustration of football fan tokens

MLS Fan Tokens

Although many European, South American and Asian soccer teams have already issued fan tokens, in the US and Canada Major League Soccer teams have been hesitant. Despite this, many are now partnered with Socios.com – suggesting they might launch FTOs soon. These include:

Illustration of fighting fan tokens

Fighting Fan Tokens

Both the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world’s biggest MMA fighting organisations, have partnered with Socios.com, suggesting they may issue fan tokens soon.


How to Buy and Use Fan Tokens

Getting your hands on fan tokens is getting easier, but still not as convenient as other NFTs or cryptocurrencies. While fan tokens are increasingly listed on major crypto exchanges, like Binance, the simplest way of acquiring them at the moment is through a dedicated platform like Socios.com. 

Where to use Fan Tokens

Binance, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, offers a Fan Token platform. Fans can find top teams and enjoy a new fan engagement experience. This platform also includes features like predicting the outcome of real-time matches and receiving Star Points, which can be redeemed for exclusive rewards.

​Chiliz is a leading sports and entertainment blockchain, and Socios.com is a crowd-management platform that leverages the power of Chiliz. Most Fan Tokens, especially those associated with sports teams, are built on the Chiliz blockchain.

Socios.com

With international and US apps, Socios is constantly expanding its lead as the premier player in the fan token ecosystem. It is an all-in-one engagement platform where you can influence, play, win and trade fan tokens.

How to get started with Socios.com:

  1. Download the app (available for Android, iOS, and web browsers)
  2. Follow the instructions to create an account
  3. Purchase some Chiliz ($CHZ) – the native crypto token of Socios
  4. Exchange Chiliz for fan tokens of your choice
  5. Get started with influencing your team/s and unlocking exclusive rewards
Did you know?
In October 2020, Barcelona fan token holders got to choose the songs that formed the playlist for the team at the Camp Nou. The songs were played as the team began their pre-match warm up and as they returned to the pitch after half-time.
Source – Socios.com

What are Fan Token Laws and Regulations in the UK?

Fan Tokens in the UK, like other crypto assets, are subject to a regulatory framework that’s evolving and adapting to the growing digital asset market. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the primary regulatory body overseeing crypto assets, including Fan Tokens.

Fan Tokens fall under the category of utility tokens, which are used to access specific products or services rather than as investments. The FCA has clarified that both exchange tokens (like Bitcoin) and utility tokens (such as Fan Tokens) are currently outside its regulatory perimeter. However, security tokens, which provide rights to payments or assets, are within the FCA’s regulatory scope.

Conclusion

Fan Tokens are becoming a unique way for fans to interact with their favorite teams, artists, and celebrities, providing a sense of belonging and participation in the digital age. As blockchain technology continues to evolve, it’s likely we’ll see even more innovative uses of Fan Tokens across various industries.

Frequently asked questions

In a nutshell, fan tokens are blockchain-based cryptocurrencies that give holders special rights and privileges related to a specific team or organisation. In some ways, fan tokens are like NFTs (non-fungible tokens), but unlike NFTs they are interchangeable, or fungible - meaning that they can be exchanged for products or services. They are more akin to vouchers.
football (or soccer for our North American friends) has embraced fan tokens more enthusiastically than any other sport. In fact, by mid 2022, many European, Latin American, and Asian clubs and organisations were already offering fan tokens. But, the trend was also starting to catch on with other sectors, especially esports and motorsport. 
Binance offers a Fan Token platform for engaging with top sports teams, including features like match predictions and earning Star Points for rewards. Chiliz, a prominent sports and entertainment blockchain, powers Socios.com, a platform widely used for managing Fan Tokens, particularly for sports teams.
Popular Fan Tokens include the following: Chiliz ($CHZ): Widely used in sports and entertainment. Barcelona Fan Tokens ($BAR): For FC Barcelona fans. Alpine F1 Team Fan Token: For the BWT Alpine F1 Team. OG Fan Token (OG): In the esports sector. Paris Saint-Germain Fan Token (PSG): For Paris Saint-Germain FC. Manchester City Fan Token (CITY): For Manchester City FC. Juventus Fan Token (JUV): For Juventus fans. Arsenal Fan Token (AFC): For Arsenal FC supporters. And many more..