Can Fan Tokens Make You Money During the World Cup?

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The FIFA World Cup has long been a global spectacle of passion, drama, and national pride. But in recent years, a new player has entered the pitch: fan tokens — digital assets blending sports fandom with blockchain technology. As the 2022 tournament heated up in Qatar, so did interest in these cryptocurrencies tied to national teams and football clubs. But beyond the hype, can fan tokens actually make you money?

This article dives into the rise of fan tokens during the World Cup, their real-world utility, price performance, and whether they're a viable investment or just digital souvenirs.

What Are Fan Tokens?

Fan tokens are blockchain-based digital assets that give supporters a new way to engage with their favorite sports teams. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, fan tokens aren’t primarily designed as currency or long-term investments. Instead, they function as utility and engagement tools, offering holders special privileges and interactive experiences.

These tokens are typically built on platforms like Chiliz, the leading blockchain provider for sports fan engagement. Through the Socios app — powered by Chiliz — fans can purchase team-specific tokens and use them to:

👉 Discover how fan engagement is evolving through blockchain technology.

In essence, fan tokens turn passive supporters into active participants — creating deeper emotional connections between fans and clubs.

Fan Token Market Surge During the World Cup

With the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on November 20, excitement around football-related crypto assets spiked. According to Kaiko, a Paris-based crypto data firm, daily trading volume for fan tokens surged from $32 million in October to nearly $300 million in November — a tenfold increase.

This spike wasn’t surprising. Major teams like Argentina, Portugal, Brazil, and France launched official fan tokens ahead of the tournament. Even national squads such as Algeria and Mexico joined the trend, launching digital tokens to engage their global fanbases.

Crypto exchanges also got involved:

These efforts amplified visibility and drove short-term demand for fan tokens.

Do Team Wins Translate to Token Gains?

You might assume that when a team wins, its fan token value soars. But reality tells a different story.

Take Argentina’s fan token (ARG). After Lionel Messi’s team suffered a shocking loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening match, the token dropped 25% to $5.26. Even after Argentina bounced back with a win over Mexico, confidence didn’t return — the token fell another 22%.

Similarly, Portugal’s fan token (POR) rose 119% to $7** in the 10 days before the tournament, fueled by Cristiano Ronaldo’s popularity. Yet despite Portugal advancing past the group stage, the token lost nearly half its value during the competition — trading at **$2.94 by December 2, down 6.1% in 24 hours and nearly 48% overall.

Even club-level success doesn’t guarantee token strength. Arsenal, leading the English Premier League at the time, saw its fan token drop 12.5% to $1.68 since the season began.

And Brazil? The Brazil National Team Fan Token (BFT) plummeted 64.4% from its peak, with a single-day loss of 20.7% reported just days before knockout rounds.

Clearly, on-field performance doesn’t directly correlate with token prices.

Why Are Fan Tokens Losing Value?

Several factors explain this downward trend:

1. Broader Crypto Market Downturn

The timing was unfortunate. The World Cup coincided with one of the worst periods in crypto history — the collapse of FTX, which sent shockwaves across the industry. Bitcoin dipped below $16,500, near two-year lows, dragging down even niche assets like fan tokens.

According to CoinGecko, the total market cap of fan tokens briefly jumped from $256 million to $401 million during the opening weekend but quickly fell back below $300 million.

2. Speculative Hype vs. Real Utility

Many buyers entered expecting quick profits. But as Siddharth Jaiswal, CEO of Sportzchain, noted:

“Fan tokens should not be bought purely for profit. Think of them like cherries on top of a cake — they enhance the experience, but aren’t the main dish.”

Without consistent utility updates or long-term incentives, interest fades fast — especially post-tournament.

3. Regulatory Uncertainty

Are fan tokens securities? Utility tools? The line is blurry.

In August 2022, the UK Advertising Standards Authority ruled that Arsenal FC’s fan token ads were misleading, banning them for being irresponsible and unclear about risks.

Marcus Sotiriou, analyst at GlobalBlock, warns:

“Tokens that don’t offer real utility may face regulatory scrutiny — especially if they’re seen as investment vehicles.”

Until clearer rules emerge, institutional adoption remains limited.

Who’s Actually Buying Fan Tokens?

A recent survey by KuCoin found that 70% of crypto enthusiasts were following the World Cup, and half were investing in football-related tokens.

Most transactions flow through Socios, which powers fan tokens for top clubs like:

And yes — even national teams like Argentina and Portugal issue official tokens via this platform.

The underlying currency? Chiliz (CHZ) — used to purchase team-specific tokens. Its trading volume hit a 7-month high in early November, though it later retreated by 40% from peak levels.

Interestingly, Kaiko data shows that Korean won (KRW) dominated Chiliz trading in November — accounting for 87% of volume, followed by Turkish lira (TRY). This suggests strong regional interest from Asia and emerging markets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are fan tokens a good investment?

A: Not primarily. While prices can spike during events like the World Cup, most fan tokens lack long-term financial upside. They’re better viewed as engagement tools than profit generators.

Q: Can I make money from fan tokens?

A: Short-term traders might capitalize on hype cycles, but volatility is high and downside risk significant — especially after major tournaments end.

Q: Do fan tokens give ownership in a club?

A: No. Holding a fan token does not grant equity or voting rights on major club decisions like transfers or finances. Voting is limited to non-critical choices like anthem selection.

Q: What happens to fan tokens after the World Cup?

A: Activity often declines unless clubs continue offering fresh rewards or experiences. Without ongoing utility, demand drops sharply.

Q: Is Chiliz a better bet than individual team tokens?

A: Possibly. As the infrastructure behind many fan tokens, Chiliz may hold more sustained value if sports adoption grows — though it's still subject to crypto market swings.

👉 Explore how blockchain is reshaping fan engagement beyond tournaments.

The Road Ahead for Fan Tokens

While the 2022 World Cup brought unprecedented attention to fan tokens, it also exposed their limitations.

Markus Thielen, research head at Matrixport, puts it bluntly:

“Interest may be short-lived unless teams keep delivering real value.”

For fan tokens to survive beyond tournament fever, clubs must:

Regulatory clarity will also play a crucial role. If authorities classify certain tokens as securities, issuance rules could tighten significantly.

Still, the concept remains powerful: turning emotional loyalty into digital participation.

Final Thoughts

As knockout stages unfolded in Qatar, most national team fan tokens remained in strong bearish territory. Spain’s surprise loss to Japan didn’t stop them from advancing — but their token (SNFT) still crashed 25.7% post-match.

So can you make money from fan tokens during the World Cup?

For speculators riding short-term hype — maybe.
For long-term investors seeking stable returns — unlikely.

Their true value lies not in price charts, but in community building and immersive experiences. As blockchain continues to evolve within sports, the future of fan engagement looks more interactive than ever.

👉 Stay ahead of the next wave in sports and blockchain innovation.