World’s Largest Crypto Exchange Binance Invests in Blockchain-Based Esports Platform

Published at: June 5, 2018

The world’s largest crypto exchange Binance has made an undisclosed investment into blockchain-based esports voting platform chiliZ, according to a press release published today, June 5.

According to the announcement, the Malta-based platform in which Binance is investing is part of Mediarex Group, a global sports and entertainment company. Binance and chiliZ will reportedly “join forces” to provide the sports industry with a “fan-driven token ecosystem for traditional sports teams.”

According to the press release, chiliZ has already raised $27 mln via an ongoing “private placement”, evidently a closed token sale. The company claims that Binance’s investment will “enable the sharing of technical knowledge, innovation and creativity”.

Binance’s CEO Changpeng Zhao, better known in the crypto community as CZ, commented that chiliZ is a “creative way to embrace blockchain technology” that aims to promote “mainstream adoption”. CZ also replied to chiliZ CEO Alexandre Dreyfus’ tweet announcing the investment, saying somewhat cryptically: “Thank [sic] for helping Binance so much!  This is the least we could do.”

Thank for helping Binance so much! This is the least we could do. Congrats! https://t.co/xXYGbiqw8l

— CZ (@cz_binance) June 5, 2018

In March of this year, Binance announced it was moving to Malta, with CZ claiming that the country “is very progressive when it comes to crypto and fintech.”

Binance is currently the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world by 24-hour volume, trading about $1.6 bln on the day to press time.

Last week, Binance revealed its plans to create a $1 bln cryptocurrency-based fund by implementing Binance’s BNB tokens as an investment tool in new blockchain projects.

Tags
Related Posts
NBA-China Scandal Crashes Nike Sneaker-Backed Crypto Token Price
A now-viral post by a Chinese cryptocurrency trader has highlighted the stark drop in the price of American sneaker-backed tokens in the wake of the fallout between the NBA and China. As Reuters reports on Oct. 16, the anonymous trader’s Weibo post from earlier this month had shone a spotlight on an apparent 10% crash in the price of crypto tokens backed by Nike’s Air Jordan sneakers on a United States-based exchange. “It’s clear sneaker speculators were pulling money out of the market,” the trader told Reuters. He interpreted the market response in the context of Chinese netizens’ anger over …
Markets / Oct. 16, 2019
Bitmain Investors Could File a Class Action Lawsuit Against Company, Says Critic
A critic of cryptocurrency mining giant Bitmain, BTCKING555, said that a group investors are preparing a class action lawsuit against the company in a tweet on March 26. BTCKING555 said in the post that a number of Bitmain’s investors are going to file a class action lawsuit against the company in Hong Kong, seeking to recover their investments after the expiration of Bitmain’s initial public offering (IPO) bid. The post reads: “...already in august I warned many investors and prevented them from investing. Those that did not listen, good luck recovering your moneys. I hear there is class action in …
Blockchain / March 27, 2019
The State of Blockchain: Experts Weigh in on Adoption Around the World
Blockchain usage is exploding around the world. But despite the technology’s many vocal advocates, the spread of technology is never even. Adoption is limited by a number of factors, including infrastructure development, local resources and regulation. As happens with the spread of any emerging technology, certain regions are pulling ahead of the pack. Radoslav Dragov, the blockchain lead for the International Data Corporation, explained that there are a number of factors that can create favorable conditions for adoption, varying from investment to talent, adding: “Beyond these factors, blockchain investment is very much influenced by current and upcoming regulation, and the …
Blockchain / Feb. 23, 2020
CoinFlex Receives $10 Million Funding for Bitcoin Futures Settlements
Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency futures exchange CoinFlex has received $10 million through a funding round that closed last week. Recent funding and goal Asia-focused newspaper South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported the news on Aug. 26. According to the report, CoinFlex received funding from Bitcoin Cash (BCH) advocate and Bitcoin.com CEO Roger Ver, as well as Polychain Capital, NGC Ventures and Divergence Digital Currency. Polychain Capital and Digital Currency Group joined CoinFlex’s investment consortium back in March. CoinFlex is now reportedly looking to increase business from Asian retail investors. A safe haven from price manipulation? Per SCMP, CoinFlex describes itself as …
Bitcoin / Aug. 26, 2019
Just did it: Nike enters the metaverse game following RTFKT acquisition
Sportswear manufacturer Nike announced the acquisition of virtual sneakers and collectibles brand RTFKT. Nike becomes the biggest U.S.-based athletic products manufacturer through this partnership to join the metaverse bandwagon. A Cointelegraph report from Nov. 02 highlighted Nike's submission of requests for patenting the words — namesake, swoosh logo and just do it — for use online and in online virtual worlds." The filing was accompanied by two new job postings for virtual material designers, signaling the company's intent to enter the metaverse. However, the new RTFKT acquisition confirms Nike’s interest in delving into the metaverse ecosystem: RTFKT is now a …
Adoption / Dec. 14, 2021