The recent publication of Chiliz’ 2030 SportFi Manifesto laid out the strategic steps the company has taken to unlock a $1 trillion opportunity at the intersection of sports and blockchain.

In addition to Fan Tokens expanding from one chain to many, and the introduction of performance-driven tokenomics (team wins trigger token burns, defeats cause new issuance), Chiliz has taken the decisive step of implementing a perpetual buyback mechanism for $CHZ.

What this means is that 10% of all Fan Token revenues generated across the Chiliz ecosystem will be earmarked for ongoing $CHZ buybacks. With this dynamic new economic model in place, Chiliz has restated its commitment to sustainable long-term growth.

Set to launch later this year, the buyback and burn mechanism means that every time a fan buys, trades, or engages with a Fan Token, a percentage of the protocol fees will flow directly into a continuous buyback program: the acquired $CHZ will be removed from circulation, token scarcity will drive valuation and liquidity, and network participants who make the entire system tick will be rewarded.

How the $CHZ Buyback Flywheel Works

Fan Token activity is varied, with revenue generated from a mixture of transaction fees, governance activity, reward redemptions, and other interactions. By directing 10% of this revenue to buy and burn $CHZ, Chiliz has created a self-reinforcing cycle intended to reduce supply and sustain demand.

With a stronger $CHZ token, the prospects of enhanced staking yields and validator incentives increase. More validators and delegators are also motivated to plug in and secure the network. While a healthy network leads to greater Fan Token activity, and the likelihood of more big clubs issuing their very own token.

In short, the buyback mechanism ties protocol growth directly to fan activity, the upshot of which is better perks for clubs, supporters, and infrastructure participants alike.

$CHZ Origins and Tokenomics

It’s been almost six years since $CHZ launched without a public sale, raising approximately $65 million from strategic investors. As the native token of the sports-focused, EVM-compatible Chiliz Chain, $CHZ plays many important roles:

Validator staking: Validators stake $CHZ to secure the network, propose governance upgrades, and process transactions.
Delegator participation: Holders delegate $CHZ to validators, earning a share of block rewards.
Reward source: Staking yields are derived from transaction tips (priority fees) and $CHZ inflation per block.

The new buyback mechanism adds yet another layer to a model that already supports network security, decentralization, and economic alignment: with protocol revenue now reducing supply and creating deflationary pressure, $CHZ is well-positioned for the future.

The Future of Fan Tokens

As the Chiliz 2030 Manifesto outlined, improving utility, accessibility, and economic alignment are central to turning Fan Tokens into a powerful standalone asset class, part of an RWA market that could be worth $16 trillion by 2030.

The $CHZ buyback mechanism is an ambitious step in that direction, directly tying fan engagement to protocol health and supporting the value of Chiliz over time.

With broader Fan Token distribution, a refined economic model, and clubs striving to roll out superior rewards, the future of Fan Tokens is coming into clearer focus.

Stay tuned for more explainer articles on the key pillars of Chiliz’ 2030 vision.