SBI Chiliz and Tokyo Verdy Open Door to Fan Tokens in Japan

SBI Chiliz and Tokyo Verdy have announced a memorandum of understanding to explore the tokenization of the J.League club, marking the first Japan-based initiative announced under the SBI Chiliz joint venture. 

According to the announcement, the two parties will evaluate potential fan-facing use cases including voting, digital collectibles, engagement rewards, loyalty tiers, match-related quests, and real-world redemptions.

SBI Chiliz and Tokyo Verdy also plan to examine the operational and compliance structures needed to support any future regulatory-compliant Fan Token product in Japan.

The move builds on the SBI Chiliz joint venture announced in May 2024, which brought together SBI Digital Asset Holdings and The Chiliz Group to develop blockchain-based fan engagement products for Japan.

While the agreement does not confirm the launch of a Fan Token just yet, it does set out a framework for both sides to assess how tokenized fan engagement could work in the Japanese market.

Alexandre Dreyfus, CEO of Chiliz said Japan was one of the “most important markets globally for innovation and fan culture,” adding:

“Working through SBI Chiliz with a club like Tokyo Verdy is a meaningful step toward building a responsible framework for fan-focused Web3 experiences – starting with education, clear use cases, and a strong compliance mindset,” said Dreyfus.

Takuya Sugiyama, Board Director of SBI Chiliz noted that Chiliz is already used by many of the world’s leading sports teams to forge stronger relationships with supporters.

“We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Tokyo Verdy as the first initiative under SBI Chiliz in Japan. By leveraging Chiliz’s global expertise with the SBI Group’s insights in the Web3 space, we aim to further invigorate the Japanese sports market,” said Sugiyama.

Takaaki Nakamura, Representative Director of Tokyo Verdy, said the club was excited to explore the future of fan engagement with Chiliz SBI, adding: “This collaboration will allow us to evaluate how Web3 technology and Fan Tokens can create richer, more interactive experiences”

Founded in 1969, Tokyo Verdy is one of Japan’s most decorated football clubs and a founding member of the J.League, with 25 major titles including seven top-flight league championships and five Emperor’s Cups.