FIFA announced May 22 that it has chosen the Avalanche blockchain to power its dedicated network for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and digital fan engagement, aiming to serve its global fanbase of five billion individuals.
The world football governing body decided to deploy a layer-1 blockchain specifically designed for its needs, with Avalanche providing the core infrastructure for its network.
The selection targets FIFA’s goal of enhancing digital collectibles and creating more immersive fan experiences, leveraging Avalanche’s transaction speed, scalability, and Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility.
“The decision was based on a rigorous analysis of key factors including performance, security, transaction fees, customizability, and scalability,” stated Francesco Abbate, CEO of Modex and FIFA Collect.
FIFA’s decision is centered on overcoming limitations faced on existing, general-purpose blockchains. “Only their own chain can support their ambitions, and provide them with their own L1 blockchain,” explained John Nahas, vice president of business development at Ava Labs.
Implementation involves migrating the existing FIFA Collect NFT marketplace and collection onto the newly established Avalanche-powered FIFABlockchain.
The transition necessitates a shift in compatible wallets. After the move, users will be required to connect via MetaMask or another EVM wallet supporting WalletConnect, as support for external Algorand-based wallets like Pera and Defly will cease.
FIFA’s digital collectibles initiative, including its 2023 Club World Cup partnership with Modex, underpins this strategic blockchain choice.
Expanding FIFA’s digital engagement portfolio is FIFA Rivals, a free-to-play soccer game developed in collaboration with blockchain gaming studio Mythical Games and initially available on iOS and Android.
