Overview
- Kraken was announced as FIFA’s Official Crypto Exchange Supporter on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in a deal that FIFA said will focus on crypto awareness and fan engagement across North America and Europe.
- Public programming began with a multi-city Countdown Concert on June 10 and Kraken plans activations and fan-focused product experiences during the tournament.
- Kraken says the partnership will prioritize education, accessibility, and user onboarding rather than pure trading promotion, and the companies have not disclosed the financial terms of the agreement.
- FIFA has built blockchain features for the event using an Avalanche-based Layer‑1 for digital collectibles and a Right‑to‑Ticket system, and Swiss regulators opened a preliminary probe last October into FIFA‑linked token sales.
- The expanded 48-team, 104-match tournament running June 11–July 19 will serve as a live stress test for broadcast and officiating tech, on‑chain ticketing and collectibles, and consumer-protection risks that could affect fans’ access and resale markets.