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Square-Enix backs blockchain-based football MMO ‘Soccerverse’

The game uses the Polygon blockchain and currently runs in most browsers.

Soccerverse, the company behind the massively multiplayer online game of the same name, announced a $3.1 fundraise led by Japanese gaming giant Square-Enix on July 11. 

The game, which is currently available in beta, is a blockchain-based sports simulation similar to the Football Manager series that allows users to take on various roles such as coaching a team or representing a player. It runs on the Polygon blockchain and, while free-to-play, features web3 functionality.

According to a blog post, Square-Enix led the company’s most recent funding round alongside previous backer Hiro Capital.

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Russia adopts Bitcoin, crypto assets for cross-border transactions, finance minister says

Singapore’s National Goalkeeper, Hassan Sunny, Appointed as Chief Security Officer for HTX Global and TRON

Singapore’s National Goalkeeper, Hassan Sunny, Appointed as Chief Security Officer for HTX Global and TRONSingapore’s national goalkeeper, Hassan Sunny, has been appointed as the Chief Security Officer and spokesperson for HTX Global and TRON. The announcement was first made by Justin Sun on social media. Drawing parallels between Sunny’s role on the football field and his new position, Sun expressed confidence that just as Sunny defends the goal line […]

Russia adopts Bitcoin, crypto assets for cross-border transactions, finance minister says

Manchester City to release digital collectibles through multi-year partnership with Quidd

The collectibles will include “money can’t buy” experiences such as pitch-side seats for exclusive team training events.

The Premier League’s Manchester City Football Club has entered into a multi-year partnership with Animoca Brands subsidiary Quidd to develop and launch digital collectibles alongside new promotions and fan experiences. 

Quidd will create and launch “special edition” digital collectibles including cards that will unlock real-world experiences.

Tom Boyle, Vice-President, Global Partnerships Marketing and Operations at City Football Group announced the partnership in a blog post adding:

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Russia adopts Bitcoin, crypto assets for cross-border transactions, finance minister says

Bulgaria’s oldest football club adopts Bitcoin and Lightning, joins Nostr

Football meets finance: Bitcoin payments integration arrives at top-flight Bulgarian club, Botev Plovdiv FC.

Bitcoin (BTC) has netted another adoption goal. Botev Plovdiv FC, Bulgaria’s oldest football club, has adopted Bitcoin and Lightning Network payments, as well as joining decentralized protocol, Nostr.

Plovdiv’s stadium accommodates 18,000 people. Source: Manolov

Effective immediately, fans can utilize Bitcoin for peer-to-peer payments at Botev Plovdiv FC’s fan shops and stands during matches in the top-flight Bulgarian Parva Liga. The club also has plans in the pipeline to extend Bitcoin payments for ticketing and its online store.

Anton Zingarevich, the president of the 111-year-old football club, expressed enthusiasm for the move, highlighting the potential of the Lightning Network. He stated in a press release:

“We foresee Bitcoin payments becoming as ubiquitous as the internet in our daily lives. This integration not only aligns with our vision but also offers our fans and stakeholders unparalleled convenience.“

The initiative became a reality through a partnership with BTCPay Server, a Bitcoin payment processor known for its open-source architecture, secure infrastructure and low merchant fees. The payment hardware was handled by CryptoDesk.bg, in collaboration with Bitcoinize.com, who provided the point-of-sale devices. 

The Bitcoin NFC enabled point-of-sale device in the changing room. Source: Manolov 

Nicolas Dorier, founder of BTCPay Server, emphasized the importance of local Bitcoin adoption, stating it is committed to supporting transformative endeavors such as the work at Plovdiv.

George Manolov, Bitcoin director at Botev Plovdiv FC, explained that “Bitcoin offers a universe of technological, social and financial opportunities.”

“At Botev, we’re thrilled to lead these innovations into sports, harnessing their transformative energy to elevate our club to unprecedented heights. As Bulgaria’s oldest football club, anticipate pioneering products and initiatives from us.“

In addition to embracing Bitcoin, Botev Plovdiv FC has revamped its online presence. The club’s official website has been updated, English social media channels have been brought up to speed, and the club has created an account on Nostr — a decentralized protocol that offers censorship-resistant social media.

Related: Bitcoin white paper turns 15 as Satoshi Nakamoto’s legacy lives on

The move to embrace Bitcoin and decentralized technologies is similar to that of Real Bedford, a United Kingdom-based football club, which was the world’s first football club to adopt Bitcoin. Peter McCormack, chairman of Real Bedford, shared his thoughts on the news from Bulgaria:

“It is so cool to see more football clubs adopt the Bitcoin cheat code. Not only will it bring more success to their club, but it will also widen the net for Bitcoin awareness.”

McCormack has integrated Bitcoin at Real Bedford since 2021, and he also spoke with Plovdiv before its move to adopt Bitcoin. According to McCormack, the unique characteristics of Bitcoin act as a cheat code for life. He is hosting a conference called “Cheat Code” in Bedford in Spring 2024.

McCormack told Cointelegraph, “There is a plague of financial irresponsibility in football, so clubs adopting a low-time preference Bitcoin standard as part of their strategy are building their club with solid foundations.”

“I expect we will continue to see not just other football clubs but all types of sports teams adopt the cheat code.“

Meanwhile, football fans attending Plovdiv’s home game against second in the league Lokomotiv Plovdiv will be able to pay using Bitcoin and the Lightning Network. The team made the announcement on Bitcoin white paper day to mark the day and highlight its support for Bitcoin.

Magazine: Peter McCormack’s Real Bedford Football Club puts Bitcoin on the map

Russia adopts Bitcoin, crypto assets for cross-border transactions, finance minister says

Fantasy football game on Telegram: Fanton joins Cointelegraph Accelerator

Fanton brings blockchain-based fantasy football to Telegram thanks to the IM service’s recent integration with the TON blockchain.

What’s a better way than combining the world’s most popular sports with Web2’s most socialized aspects to introduce new users to Web3 through gaming? Association football, or soccer, boasts the largest fan base among sports enthusiasts, with over 3.5 billion estimated people rooting for their favorite teams. Built mainly for football fans, the fantasy sports industry, a vast network of virtual sports leagues where users can create their own teams, has also grown to become a $25 billion global market.

Mixing fantasy football with blockchain features like nonfungible token (NFT) cards could create an ideal entry point to Web3 for the masses. However, current platforms present complex mechanics for newcomers, and most of them lack in-platform user interaction —a big loss considering the social aspect of fantasy football.

Soccer superstars as collectible cards

Fanton has built a fantasy football game that is integrated into Telegram to benefit from the instant messenger service’s 800 million-strong user base. It features collectible cards of top football players that earn points according to their real-life performances. These cards are issued on the blockchain as NFTs and can be easily traded among players.

The game benefits from Telegram’s recent integration with The Open Network (TON) blockchain, which enables the use of a noncustodial wallet directly from the Telegram app. Users can create a virtual football team with their cards of players, and earn points for their players’ actions in the real world.

The teams are made of five players: a goalkeeper, a defender, a midfielder, a forward and a substitute player. These players earn points based on their performances in their real-life football matches. Points are awarded for various actions, such as goals, assists and saves of goal chances by the goalkeeper. The combined score of the points equals the team score.

Tournaments are organized based on match days of real football leagues, including the English Premier League, Spanish LaLiga, German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A and the French Ligue 1. Players can partake in a special championship consisting of the most important matches from the five European leagues, the Brazilian Championship and the UEFA Champions League, the world's most prestigious championship.

Users can join these tournaments by paying a participation fee, of which 85% is added to the prize pool while 15% goes to Fanton. Teams that score more points than others are rewarded with TON coins and collectible cards.

Fanton features soccer superstars as NFT cards. Source: Fanton

Fanton features soccer superstars as NFT cards. Source: Fanton

Cards are divided into rarity classes based on their scarcity, giving them value and uniqueness. Non-NFT cards are classified as common, while NFT cards can have rare, epic and legendary rarities. The game is free to play and provides common cards without charge for everyone who wants to participate. The rarer NFT cards should be purchased to take part in special NFT tournaments with higher prizes.

Fanton became a part of the Cointelegraph Accelerator program with its straightforward product that is already showing good traction in user onboarding and revenue. The Cointelegraph Accelerator team was inspired by the innovative game-in-a-messenger format, easy user onboarding and the perspective of crypto adoption via messengers. The platform has over 350,000 users and surpassed $40,000 in monthly revenue. With a seasoned team of 15 based in Spain and Indonesia, the game managed to raise $300,000 in a pre-seed round in February.

Today, October 27, 2023, Fanton launched its product on Product Hunt, a platform where users can discover and upvote new products. Fanton encourages its supporters to visit Product Hunt on Friday and upvote the product.

Russia adopts Bitcoin, crypto assets for cross-border transactions, finance minister says

How Peter McCormack is turning an unknown town into a Bitcoin hub

Bitcoin pitch invasion! A new Cointelegraph video examines a local soccer club’s impact on its town and national Bitcoin adoption.

Can a football team backed by Bitcoin (BTC) really raise up a town? In the latest Cointelegraph documentary, reporter Joe Hall investigates the impact of a Bitcoin football club, Real Bedford, on the small commuter town of Bedford in the United Kingdom.

Peter McCormack, the renowned host of the What Bitcoin Did podcast, bought Real Bedford Football Club in 2021 during the peak of the Bitcoin bull run.

While many questioned his decision, McCormack saw an opportunity to revive a football club and promote Bitcoin adoption in his hometown. Two years later, Real Bedford F.C. has gained promotion, secured significant sponsorships, and attracted a legion of local and international fans.

As the video demonstrates, the club’s bright orange jerseys proudly display the Bitcoin logo, symbolizing its close association with the world’s largest digital currency. Before each game, Bitcoin meetups are organized and influential figures from the Bitcoin world are invited to attend.

Naturally, the manager’s unconventional approach has sparked curiosity and criticism, with some locals skeptical of the Bitcoin branding and its implications. Hall asks locals in street interviews and pitchside conversations how much influence the club has had on the town. Some are familiar with the club’s Bitcoin takeover; others had never heard of McCormack, with the overarching sentiment being negative.

McCormack, however, aims to dispel misunderstandings and facilitate greater Bitcoin adoption through the football club. Rather than forcing the currency on the town's residents, he believes in using the team as a Trojan horse to introduce them to Bitcoin gradually. The Real Bedford website even features a statement titled "Why you shouldn't buy Bitcoin," emphasizing the importance of education and responsible investment.

While Real Bedford remains a Bitcoin-only club, McCormack acknowledges the allure of other cryptocurrencies and crypto-related projects:

“If I did a shitcoin, I could raise a billion and I would get this club in the Premier League in nine years because you have the money to do it. I could build a £200 million stadium if I did a shit coin. It's really tempting.”

Nonetheless, McCormack is committed to Bitcoin's principles. He is convinced that through hard work, and the support of the Bitcoin community, Real Bedford could reach the Premier League in the 2030s.

Featuring interviews with Jeff Booth, Ben Arc, fans, and locals, The Real Bedford documentary will shed light on the Real Bedford story, showcasing the transformative power of Bitcoin in sports and local communities.

While the United Kingdom warms up to Central Bank Digital Currencies–despite the Bitcoin community’s best wishes–Bitcoin could lose a foothold in the country. In such an environment, Real Bedford is increasingly a beacon for Bitcoin adoption in the United Kingdom.

Related: Bitcoin soccer club Real Bedford FC wins the league

Overall, and to pinch Barcelona’s motto, Real Bedford is “mes que un club”, or “more than a club.” It’s a symbol of resilience, rebellion, and a real-world example of Bitcoin’s ability to raise up areas.

Magazine: Bitcoin is on a collision course with ‘Net Zero’ promises

Russia adopts Bitcoin, crypto assets for cross-border transactions, finance minister says

Global impact of a Bitcoin soccer club: Decentralize with Cointelegraph

Can a Bitcoin-boosted football club breathe life into a tired town in the United Kingdom? This week’s “Decentralize with Cointelegraph” podcast tours Bedford.

This week’s episode of the Decentralize with Cointelegraph podcast takes a deep dive into Bitcoin (BTC) in Bedford. A Bitcoiner from the English town near London is turning heads and raising his town’s profile after buying his local soccer club, Real Bedford.

Peter McCormack, who took the No. 38 spot on Cointelegraph’s 2023 Top 100, hosts a Bitcoin podcast and is an avid soccer fan. At the start of the soccer season in August 2022, he told Cointelegraph that winning the league would put Bedford on the Bitcoin map.

Cointelegraph's Joe Hall pitchside with Peter McCormack.

Nine months on, Real Bedford has fulfilled that promise. It won the United Kingdom’s South Midlands League and was promoted. However, has the move from the Bitcoin soccer club galvanized the locals or just grated on them? And how does running it work on the ground?

Cointelegraph traveled to Real Bedford’s final home game of the season to interview fans, locals and Bitcoin advocates from around the world to understand the whys and hows of the Bitcoin soccer club. From the club’s commentator to a Liberal Democrat councillor to well-known Bitcoin advocate Jeff Booth, this week’s podcast takes listeners on a whistlestop tour of Bedford.

Cointelegraph speaks with locals in the Bedford town center. 

An underdog story that explores themes of competition, community and Bitcoin awareness in the United Kingdom, it’s clear that Real Bedford has taken the Bitcoin community by storm.

Cointelegraph also caught up with McCormack pitchside during his What Bitcoin Did podcast live event to quibble about whether he was pursuing a personal passion project or the stakes were greater.

Moreover, with the price per Bitcoin still wallowing under $30,000, the production seeks to highlight that there is more than a speculative streak to the world’s largest cryptocurrency. McCormack explained:

“I think the thing about Bitcoin now is it’s not about Bitcoin. It’s Nostr, it’s Bitcoin, it’s mainstream media lies, it is poor governance and regulation.”

It’s not about “I’m going to get Bedford to buy Bitcoin,” he continued. He wants to be careful in curating the club’s image in the town,  and the Real Bedford website even has a blog post titled “Why you shouldn’t buy Bitcoin.”

The headline, however, is that this lower-league football team appears to be evolving into a bastion for Bitcoin adoption in the United Kingdom — listen to the Decentralize with Cointelegraph podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or your favorite platform to learn how.

Russia adopts Bitcoin, crypto assets for cross-border transactions, finance minister says

Cryptocurrency Exchange to Sponsor Ukraine’s National Soccer Team

Cryptocurrency Exchange to Sponsor Ukraine’s National Soccer TeamUkraine’s national soccer team has secured a sponsorship deal with a player from the industry that wants to engage fans and promote adoption of cryptocurrencies. As part of the agreement, an EU-based coin trading platform will be the team’s crypto partner for the next three years. Whitebit Exchange Aims to Expand Ukraine’s Crypto Community by […]

Russia adopts Bitcoin, crypto assets for cross-border transactions, finance minister says

Argentina football league scores metaverse partnership after World Cup triumph

Argentina’s football association has partnered with metaverse platform Upland following the national team’s World Cup victory in Qatar.

Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar is already bearing fruit for its national football association through a new metaverse partnership.

The country’s professional football league will make the first foray into Upland’s metaverse through an official licensing agreement between the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and the Silicon Valley-based firm.

The deal will see the AFA take the Liga Profesional de Fútbol (LPF) into Upland’s metaverse platform, powering fan engagement between Argentinian football fans, teams and players. 

Gamified opportunities are touted to include a variety of Argentine football digital collectibles, including teams, clubs, players, tickets, highlights from games, historical moments and other exclusive offers.

The partnership also represents a first for Upland as it offers exclusive ownership of highlight videos of moments from LPF matches. The sale of a variety of nonfungible tokens is set to provide the Argentinian top-flight league with a new source of income as users buy, sell and trade licensed digital assets.

Upland will also afford users the ability to start virtual businesses to resell LPF digital collectibles in user-owned and operated shops located on virtual properties. The metaverse platform is mapping out a digital version of the world intended to offer digital land ownership, asset creation and a virtual economy.

The agreement with the Argentine Football Association comes on the back of Upland’s partnerships with Portuguese topflight outfit FC Porto as well as FIFA itself. The latter agreement saw Upland offer licensed digital collectibles for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which included highlights from the recently completed tournament.

Related: Fan tokens struggle to hold on as World Cup quarter-finals draw nearer

The world of sports, cryptocurrencies and blockchain have become increasingly entwined in recent years. Formula 1 filed trademarks, including NFT and cryptocurrency-powered goods and services in August 2022, while the likes of McLaren and Red Bull Racing explored their own Web3 and NFT offerings this season. 

Meanwhile, fan token platform Socios has continued to grow this year despite tough market conditions. Cryptocurrency exchange OKX has also expanded its marketing efforts, inking a sponsorship deal with current English Premier League champions Manchester City in 2022.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo also joined the world of Web3 through an exclusive partnership with Binance to roll out a series of NFT collections in a multi-year deal. 

Russia adopts Bitcoin, crypto assets for cross-border transactions, finance minister says