Chiliz

Chiliz (CHZ) is a blockchain platform developed by Mediarex, a Maltese sports company, and is the driving force behind the Socios.com platform. Launched in October 2018, CHZ is an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum-based Chiliz blockchain. It is used primarily for purchasing "fan tokens" on the Socios marketplace.

The Socios.com app allows fans to acquire team-branded NFTs, participate in polls, and gain access to rewards and exclusive content from their favourite sports and esports teams. Fan tokens enable users to influence team decisions and earn various benefits, such as merchandise and premium event access. Socios.com currently supports over 170 major sports organisations.

Chiliz’s ecosystem expanded with the introduction of Chiliz Chain in 2023, enhancing its capacity to support additional digital assets like NFTs. The platform has offices globally, including in Malta, France, Turkey, Spain, South Korea, and Brazil. The total supply of CHZ tokens is 8,888,888,888, all of which are in circulation. Chiliz is known for its focus on utilising blockchain technology to strengthen fan engagement rather than just being a cryptocurrency company.

Chiliz, a blockchain platform founded in 2018, is a creation of the Maltese sports company Mediarex, under the leadership of CEO Alexandre Dreyfus. The platform is primarily known for powering Socios.com, an application that offers "fan tokens" to enhance fan engagement in sports. The Chiliz blockchain facilitates these tokens, which allow fans to participate in polls and gain access to various rewards and promotions.

The inception of Chiliz traces back to Mediarex’s aim to revolutionise fan interaction in sports. The company began developing the blockchain technology behind Socios.com in 2018, with the launch of the Chiliz (CHZ) token occurring in October of that year. Chiliz’s initial breakthrough came with a successful fundraising round in June 2018, where it raised $65 million. This round was led by Binance, with additional investment from notable entities such as OK Blockchain Capital, FBG Capital, Ceyuan Ventures, and Bancor.

The launch of Socios.com marked a significant milestone in December 2019, following a substantial $66 million investment. The platform's first major partnership was with Juventus, an Italian football club, which conducted its Fan Token Offering (FTO) in November 2019. Juventus sold 1.3 million tokens out of a total supply of 20 million by the end of the month, setting a precedent for future collaborations.

Chiliz rapidly expanded its partnerships, with various top football clubs and sports teams joining Socios.com. The platform now boasts over 170 major sports organisations, including teams from the English Premier League, La Liga, and various esports organisations. The success of Socios.com is attributed to its ability to foster direct engagement between fans and clubs through fan tokens.

In March 2021, Chiliz announced a strategic expansion into the United States with a $50 million investment aimed at broadening its market presence. By 2023, Chiliz further enhanced its ecosystem with the launch of Chiliz Chain, aimed at facilitating the creation of fan tokens, NFTs, and other digital assets, with all transactions conducted in the CHZ token.

Chiliz’s influence continues to grow, as it remains at the forefront of integrating blockchain technology into sports and entertainment. Its operations extend beyond Malta, with offices in France, Turkey, Spain, South Korea, and Brazil, reflecting its international reach and ambition.

Chiliz aims to revolutionise fan engagement by leveraging blockchain technology to create interactive, digital experiences. Through the Socios.com platform, Chiliz enables sports and esports teams to connect more deeply with their global fanbases, offering innovative ways for fans to participate in team decisions, earn rewards, and enhance their overall engagement with their favourite teams.

Chiliz envisions a future where blockchain technology is seamlessly integrated into sports and entertainment, transforming how fans interact with their favourite teams and brands. By expanding its ecosystem and fostering broader adoption of digital assets, Chiliz strives to set the standard for fan engagement, making blockchain a central element in the global sports and entertainment industries.

Chiliz offers a range of products and services focused on enhancing fan engagement through blockchain technology. At the core of its offering is Socios.com, a platform that allows sports and esports teams to issue "fan tokens"—digital assets that provide fans with various interactive opportunities. These tokens enable holders to participate in team-related polls, influence decisions such as kit designs and celebration songs, and access exclusive rewards and promotions.

Fan Tokens are the primary product, granting fans voting rights and various perks associated with their favourite teams. These tokens can be purchased, traded, and used within the Socios.com ecosystem to gain team-branded benefits and merchandise.

Chiliz Chain, launched in 2023, extends the platform’s capabilities by supporting additional digital assets like NFTs. This expansion facilitates broader adoption of blockchain technology across sports and entertainment, allowing teams and brands to create and manage their own digital assets with all transactions conducted in CHZ.

Socios.com also provides gamification elements, including contests and leaderboards, enhancing fan interaction and engagement. The platform supports over 170 sports and esports organisations globally, reflecting its significant role in the fan engagement space.