Say goodbye to the FTX dark cloud! Coinbase Partners with Riot Games to Enter League of Legends and Heroes Esports

After the FTX collapse, gaming giant Riot Games welcomes a new crypto partner. The US crypto exchange Coinbase announced a multi-year collaboration with Riot Games, becoming the exclusive official Block chain partner for League of Legends (LOL) and Valorant global esports events, and plans to bring more innovative experiences through the technology.

Coinbase Becomes Riot Games' Global Esports Exclusive Partner

The largest compliant crypto exchange in the US, Coinbase, has recently officially signed a multi-year cooperation agreement with Riot Games, becoming the exclusive crypto exchange and official Block chain technology partner for the company's League of Legends and Valorant global esports events.

Leveling up.

Coinbase is now the exclusive crypto exchange for @lolesports and @ValorantEsports global events. pic.twitter.com/jHLGVULYrj

— Coinbase 🛡️ (@coinbase) May 6, 2025

Riot Games' official announcement indicates that the collaboration will officially launch in June at the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) in Toronto, covering the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) and World Championship for League of Legends, as well as other VCT series events.

Web3 Meets Esports: Coinbase Reaches Global Gaming Fans

In this collaboration with Riot Games, Coinbase offers the following specific content and innovative interactions:

• Exclusive Event Content Analysis (In-game Segments):

  • Valorant's "Econ Report": Real-time analysis of economic conditions during matches, explaining how teams allocate resources and make tactical decisions.

  • League of Legends' "Gold Grind": Analyzing money flow in the game, helping viewers understand how economic advantages affect overall match rhythm and strategy.

• Audience Interaction and Reward Mechanism (Viewer Drops):

  • During live broadcasts, viewers can obtain redeemable rewards by watching specific events (such as in-game emotes or avatars).

  • They may launch a lottery to "fully sponsor a viewing trip", supporting fans to attend World Championships for Valorant or League of Legends in person.

• Web3 Technology Integration and Exploration: Coinbase will collaborate with Riot Games to explore "possibilities of enhancing fan experiences with Web3", though details are not yet announced, potentially including Non-Fungible Token collectibles, ticket verification, and improved event data transparency.

• Community Activities and Digital Marketing Integration: Coinbase will integrate promotions across Riot Games' social media, broadcast screens, and technical levels, including customized digital advertising campaigns and brand exposure.

From Failure to Rebirth: Riot Games Bids Farewell to FTX and Embraces Crypto Again

Looking back, Riot Games had previously signed a seven-year contract with the now-bankrupt FTX exchange in 2021, a $100 million sponsorship plan - the largest in esports league history - originally planned to invest in the North American LOL event. Unexpectedly, FTX's collapse in November 2022 terminated the collaboration, potentially shaking Riot's confidence in the crypto industry.

(Prosecutor Presents New Evidence: FTX Sponsored Nearly $200 Million in League of Legends and Famous Music Festivals)

Now, partnering with Coinbase not only fills the void but also opens a new chapter of deep Web3 technology integration.

Coinbase states that this move continues its previous brand strategy in sports, from NBA teams to F1 racing, actively building a cross-industry collaboration network with the primary goal of strengthening brand trust and reach:

This collaboration will deeply penetrate the global esports scene, reaching millions of young audiences curious about digital assets.

Although specific collaboration details are not yet announced, Coinbase emphasizes that they will continue exploring innovative ways with Riot, enhancing fan interaction, digital asset applications, and real-time reward experiences through Block chain technology. This not only represents a breakthrough in esports business models but also signals the gradual acceleration of crypto penetration in entertainment.