SBI Chiliz, a joint venture between SBI Holdings and Chiliz Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japanese football club Tokyo Verdy to explore blockchain-based fan engagement and tokenized experiences in Japan.
The agreement represents one of the first formal steps toward introducing regulated fan tokens into the Japanese sports market, as both sides look at how blockchain tools can reshape the way clubs interact with their supporters.
🇯🇵 SBI Chiliz signs MOU with Tokyo Verdy
Together, we will explore the launch of Fan Tokens, unlocking Web3 fan engagement for @verdy_club.
This is the first step toward bringing @FanTokens to one of the most important markets globally for innovation and fan culture. pic.twitter.com/HxjiTkNcxC
— Chiliz – The Sports Blockchain (@Chiliz) April 15, 2026
Building a regulated fan token framework in Japan
Under the agreement, SBI Chiliz and Tokyo Verdy will focus on building compliant systems for potential fan tokens, including features like voting rights, digital collectibles, loyalty rewards, and match-day engagement tools.
The plan also includes educational programs and fan events designed to introduce these blockchain features to supporters in a controlled and easy-to-understand way.
Tokyo Verdy, one of the founding clubs of the J.League, will work with SBI Chiliz to assess how these tokenized systems can fit into existing club operations without going against regulatory rules.
Also Read: Japan Moves to Tighten Crypto Rules as Market Expansion Push Continues
SportFi expansion and Web3 fan engagement strategy
The partnership builds on SBI Chiliz’s joint venture with SBI Holdings, set up in 2024 to bring Chiliz’s global fan engagement infrastructure into Japan. Chiliz already runs Socios.com, a Web3 platform used by more than 70 sports organizations worldwide, including top European football clubs.
Executives from both sides say the goal is to test how Web3 tools can improve fan participation through features like voting, rewards, and digital collectibles, while still staying within local regulations.
Chiliz sees Japan as a key market for expanding SportFi, while SBI Chiliz is focused on combining global blockchain expertise with local financial systems. Tokyo Verdy said the partnership is a chance to explore new forms of digital fan engagement ahead of the upcoming J.League season.
Meanwhile, SBI VC Trade, a subsidiary of SBI Holdings, launched Japan’s first USDC stablecoin lending service on March 19, 2026.
Chiliz’s sportFi strategy has expanded in 2026
The Tokyo Verdy agreement was announced when Chiliz’s strategy was already moving beyond traditional Fan Tokens. Since then, the company has expanded the ecosystem across multiple areas.
In August 2026, Chiliz announced that five major Brazilian football Fan Tokens had become available on Solana through LayerZero, allowing them to operate across both the Chiliz ecosystem and another major blockchain network.
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