The Oval Office Crypto Summit Pushed Soccer NFTs to the Forefront

On March 7, 2025, the Oval Office Crypto Summit turned heads by putting soccer front and center in the conversation.

On March 7, 2025, the Oval Office Crypto Summit saw an interesting addition to the agenda with FIFA President Gianni Infantino pitching the idea of a FIFA Coin to President Donald Trump.

The goal, Infantino explained, was to connect with the sport’s five billion fans around the world. In response, President Trump quipped that the coin might end up being worth more than FIFA itself.

As the U.S. co-hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is seeing a shift in crypto policy under the new administration, signals new administrative policy, prefering innovation over the Biden era’s tough enforcement.

The SEC’s Crypto Task Force is also seen to be working on clarifying securities laws, easing market entry for crypto firms. For sports blockchain players, this means less legal risk, better access to U.S. leagues, and a shot at the massive American fanbase. And with the 2026 World Cup approaching, the time for key players to step up is fast approaching.

Key players

The U.S. sports blockchain footprint is still relatively light. But there’s more room now for sports blockchain operators to move.

Fan Token creators Chiliz have a history of partnerships with the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB that stalled due to regulatory roadblocks. Now, with hints from CEO Alexandre Dreyfus on X about reigniting activity in the U.S. and new administrative policy signaling a preference for innovation over Biden-era enforcement, the timing could align for a return.

When your team send you a plan for @fantokens x @chiliz in the US ? https://t.co/7ax5F8C77dpic.twitter.com/s3ZcgRhhff

Chiliz isn’t a newcomer. Since 2018, it’s been building a blockchain ecosystem specifically tailored to sports, with Fan Tokens being a key focus. These tokens have already been integrated by over 70 major teams, including FC Barcelona, Manchester City, Paris Saint Germain, Flamengo and Juventus – each offering unique benefits like VIP tickets, merchandise and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Earlier this year, the Juventus’ Fan Token ($JUV) hit $169 million in daily volume after Tether's investment in the club signaling a growing appetite for crypto officially backed by elite sports teams, one that could merge into the U.S. sports and blockchain landscape.

Flow, the blockchain powering NBA Top Shot, has already amassed over $1 billion in digital collectible sales since its launch in 2020. Its success paved the way for NFL All Day, which brings officially licensed NFL highlight NFTs to fans.

Sorare gamifies sports engagement by combining NFT-based player cards with fantasy sports and has already expanded into U.S. leagues, including MLB and the NBA, allowing fans to buy, trade, and build lineups with player NFTs.

Sweet is tackling one of the sports industry’s biggest pain points: ticketing fraud. Through blockchain-based ticketing solutions, Sweet ensures the secure and verifiable ownership of tickets, reducing counterfeiting risks. The Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty have already adopted Sweet’s technology, offering fans digital ticket stubs that serve as collectibles and provide fans with exclusive perks like discounts and VIP access.

Meanwhile, Tezos is gaining a foothold in sports through sponsorships and NFTs. As an official blockchain partner of the New York Mets, Tezos has been integrating NFTs into the team’s strategy for engaging fans and offering unique digital collectibles and branded experiences.

What’s next?

As the new administration’s focus on streamlining crypto regulations and the SEC’s efforts to finalize clear-cut definitions for crypto tokens continue, the stage is set for a closer integration of sports and crypto in the U.S. Flow, Tezos, and others are already making their mark, while Chiliz brings a wealth of experience and existing partnerships.

The coming months will be crucial for these projects to navigate the competitive landscape and capitalize on the opportunities presented by the 2026 World Cup.