Chiliz Looks to Reclaim U.S. Presence, Opens Dialogue With SEC Before FIFA World Cup 2026
Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026, Chiliz is laying regulatory groundwork for a U.S. comeback—starting with SEC discussions on the status of fan tokens.
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Chiliz, the crypto platform known for its fan token infrastructure in global sports, met with representatives from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to explore a compliant path back into the American market.
At the core of Chiliz’s strategy is a simple ask: clarity. The company wants to lock in a legal framework that ensures a smooth U.S. return—without surprises down the line. It’s pushing to have Chiliz fan tokens officially recognized not as securities, but as assets rooted in utility and fan experience, not traditional investment mechanics.
Fan tokens could unlock real-world perks such as:
- voting rights on club matters,
- access to exclusive content,
- direct fan-team interactions.
A number of prominent NBA and NFL franchises have expressed tentative support, provided that regulatory clarity is achieved.
Alongside regulatory talks, Chiliz CEO Alexandre Dreyfus held a high-level meeting with Bo Hines, Chair of the Presidential Council on Digital Assets, as part of a broader effort to open a dialogue with the White House.
Looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup—hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with the U.S. leading the charge—Chiliz has pledged between $50 million and $100 million to help develop a robust, fan-driven crypto ecosystem on American soil.
The company sees this investment as key to embedding tokenized experiences in the culture of global sport.
Why Chiliz Hit Pause on the U.S.
Chiliz invested $80 million into U.S. sports partnerships in 2021, but halted its U.S. operations in 2022 amid regulatory uncertainty and the FTX collapse.
Many interpreted the move as a strategic pivot, as the company shifted focus to Europe and Asia—regions with more stable and clearly defined crypto regulations.
Check this out: What are fan tokens and how to make money with them
Even marquee collaborations with world-renowned clubs—
- Barcelona,
- PSG,
- Manchester City
—couldn’t have shielded the project’s ecosystem from a pronounced downturn. As reported by DefiLlama, total value locked fell from $17.8 million in December 2024 to just $6.8 million in April 2025—a drop of more than 63%, exposing deeper fractures beneath the surface.
CHZ’s value has plummeted 72% year-over-year—a clear sign of shaken investor confidence.
But Chiliz isn’t standing still. It’s moving into new spaces: esports, Formula 1, and more. If it can crack back into the U.S. market, it could change everything. Fans and backers are watching closely for signals from the SEC—and to see which teams are ready to reimagine the fan experience.
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