Swiss Regulator Probes FIFA's NFT Ticket Tokens Amid Gambling Concerns
Switzerland's gambling regulator, Gespa, has initiated a thorough investigation into FIFA's "Right-to-Buy" (RTB) NFT tokens, launched in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The core of the inquiry revolves around whether these digital assets could be construed as a form of gambling, a sector subject to stringent regulations within the Alpine nation. It's a delicate dance between innovative fan engagement and established legal frameworks.
What Exactly Are RTB Tokens?
These RTB tokens, available through FIFA's official marketplace, don't grant direct entry to matches. Instead, they offer fans a conditional right to purchase tickets at face value, should their national team advance through the tournament stages. Think of them not as a golden ticket, but rather as a digital voucher that secures your place in a special sales window. Gespa director Manuel Richard has emphasized that the investigation is currently in its fact-gathering phase, with no official complaints lodged thus far.
FIFA's Evolving NFT Journey
FIFA has been exploring the potential of NFT technology since 2022, initially launching its proprietary platform, FIFA Collect, on the Algorand blockchain. Currently, all RTB token transactions are facilitated by Modex, a Web3 partner of FIFA, via its NFT marketplace. This partnership follows a precedent set in late 2023, when FIFA and Modex collaborated to release 1,000 NFTs before the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia. A hundred of these offered a chance to win tickets to the 2026 final, while the remaining 900 were purely collectible tokens issued on the Polygon network.
A Strategic Dive into the Digital Asset Sphere
Prices for the 2026 World Cup RTB tokens range from $299 to $999, a figure influenced by a team's perceived chances of reaching the final. The majority of these tokens have already found buyers. Despite a general cooling of the NFT market following the speculative frenzy of 2021-2022, FIFA is demonstrably doubling down on its commitment to digital assets and blockchain solutions. Their Web3 ecosystem extends beyond ticketing, encompassing collectible tokens, digital access rights, and gaming products, signaling a robust strategy for engaging fans in the digital age.
The Avalanche of Innovation
In a significant move in May 2025, FIFA fully migrated its operations to the Avalanche blockchain. This transition involved the launch of its own Layer-1 infrastructure and a dedicated Avalanche Subnet. This specialized subnet is engineered to handle the immense traffic surges that are expected during major global sporting events, ensuring a smooth user experience. According to Modex CEO Francesco Abbate, the EVM-compatible AvaCloud technology simplifies integration with popular cryptocurrency wallets like MetaMask and streamlines interaction with decentralized applications. With over 5 billion football fans worldwide as potential users of the FIFA Web3 ecosystem, the creation of its own blockchain infrastructure is a strategic masterstroke. It not only aims to streamline ticketing but also to forge entirely new avenues for monetization and fan engagement in this rapidly evolving digital landscape. Whether this ambitious endeavor aligns with Switzerland's strict legislative definition of gambling remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: FIFA is charting a bold course in the world of blockchain.
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