FIFA's digital collectibles arm is leveling up, transitioning into an EVM-compatible blockchain.

Until now, FIFA Collect was managed through a third-party provider. This marks its first direct dive into blockchain technology.

FIFA's digital collectibles arm, known as FIFA Collect, is set to undergo a significant transformation as it transitions into an EVM-compatible blockchain, the platform announced Thursday.

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The move will see FIFA Collect, which is currently managed through a third-party provider, become the first blockchain technology to be used directly by FIFA. The upgrade is designed to provide a better user experience, performance, and improved scalability.

The platform is targeting May 20, 2025, for the launch of the new chain, with a confirmed go-live date and clear instructions to be announced soon.

For users, their digital collectibles will simply move to the new blockchain, named in the post as the ‘platform,’ while their stablecoin holdings will remain usable until the new platform launches.

"If you have exported any of your collectibles, please bring them back onto the FIFA Collect platform before the above deadline. Once the platform has migrated to the new blockchain, you will still be able to withdraw your stablecoin holdings (e.g., USDC) out of the platform but will no longer be able to use them to buy new collectibles on the platform," the post read.

This indicates that the new platform might use a different currency or payment system for purchases.

During the migration, users might face a temporary downtime of nearly 12 hours, which would be notified prior.

Also, wallets other than MetaMask or any EVM wallet will not be accepted after the migration.

"Any wallets other than MetaMask or another EVM wallet will not be accepted after the migration. If you wish to use a different wallet, you will need to migrate your MetaMask to another wallet (e.g., an ETH or crypto bank wallet) using a Multi Chain wallet such as EvChain or Celo."

Furthermore, listed collectibles will be automatically listed in the new platform unless delisted by the user before the migration date.

This move comes as FIFA is also exploring launching a digital currency, potentially called the “$FIFA Coin,” ahead of the 2026 World Cup, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg earlier this month.

The football association is in talks with potential partners for the stablecoin, which could be launched as early as next year, the report stated.

The initiative is part of FIFA's broader strategy to boost fan engagement and tap into the emerging fintech space. The new currency would serve as a primary payment method within FIFA's digital ecosystem, which includes its e-commerce platforms, ticketing systems, and metaverse projects.

The digital currency project is still in the early stages of development, and there are several technical and regulatory hurdles to overcome before the $FIFA Coin can be launched. However, sources say that FIFA is confident it can launch the stablecoin by 2025.

The move comes as several other sports organizations are also exploring ways to leverage blockchain and cryptocurrency technology to enhance their operations and connect with fans in new ways. For example, the National Football League (NFL) has partnered with Dapper Labs to launch a blockchain-based collectibles platform, while the NBA has launched its own cryptocurrency called the "LATOKEN NBA Token."

If launched, the $FIFA Coin could become a major player in the cryptocurrency market, and it would be a significant coup for FIFA as it looks to remain at the forefront of the global football scene. Nonetheless, further details are awaited.

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