In the early days of digital tokens, the flux and flow of asset values was determined largely by speculation and market sentiment. But a new kind of token has started to emerge, one that is linked to the real world while also being influenced by classic market dynamics.

We are referring, of course, to Fan Tokens, commodities whose price often correlates with sporting performance and off-field endeavors (most notably transfer dealings). Distinct from 99.9% of digital assets, Fan Tokens are increasingly seen as a way for users to interact with Web3 tech in a fun, friction-free way.

Sports Fans Add the Secret Sauce

Although Fan Token value sometimes reflects the pulse of the wider crypto market, its secret sauce is the passion of sports fans, who get to live and breathe every moment of action while riding the highs and lows with their favorite clubs. Staying ahead of the game is a matter of tracking token performance based on what’s happening on the field of play, as well as in the boardroom.

Evidence of this de-coupling from the wider crypto market is all around. At the time of writing, the Arsenal Fan Token ($AFC) is up 22.8% for the week after big wins in the Champions League and Premier League. The Paris Saint-Germain Fan Token ($PSG), meanwhile, has jumped 9% in the same period following their own impressive showings domestically and in Europe.

A single win over city rivals Inter Milan ($INTER), meanwhile, was enough to help the AC Milan Fan Token ($ACM) pop by almost 10% in seven days.

All of which is to say that Fan Tokens are diverging from traditional crypto benchmarks and more closely correlating with team performance and other sports-related drivers. Decisive victories often compel traders to acquire a Fan Token, just as crushing defeats and the departure of influential personnel motivates them to lighten their bags.

A Prediction Market Boom

There are obvious parallels between the popularization of Fan Tokens and prediction markets, the latter of which allow users to place wagers on various real-world events, from the outcome of elections and wars to Federal Reserve policy and stock prices.

Like Fan Tokens, prediction markets give traders skin in the game and a chance to profit from their insight, wisdom, and analysis.

News this week that Robinhood’s stock popped over 10% after it announced the expansion of its prediction market line was no surprise: in the past year, 9 billion prediction contracts have been traded by over a million users on the platform. Recent analysis by the University of Pennsylvania shows that prediction markets generate over $13 million in average turnover for each trading event.

There is a notable difference between Fan Tokens and prediction markets, however. While prediction markets center on Yes/No bets and represent a zero sum game, those who hold Fan Tokens aren’t wagering on a single result. Aside from the fact that Fan Tokens have real utility, they can also be long-term holds, making them different propositions from standalone wagers.

For example, a trader might consider backing a Fan Token for a month based on a favorable fixture schedule for the club in question. A draw and three wins may be enough to see the token climb in value, whereafter difficult fixtures or suspensions to key players could see the trader lock in profits and sidestep into a different Fan Token. This is the game that moves as you play.

The recent success of Fan Tokens and prediction markets highlights the evolution of the crypto market, from purely speculative digital assets to tokens influenced by real-world events and dynamics. Fan Tokens have turned sports into a 24/7 trading floor, and the final whistle echoes louder on-chain than it ever did in the stadium.