Chiliz (CHZ) is a digital currency developed by a Malta-based FinTech provider for use in sports and entertainment. It powers the Socios platform, a blockchain-based sports entertainment platform that enables users to participate in the governance of their favorite sports brands. By acquiring CHZ, fans can access various fan tokens, which allows them to participate in a a subset of decisions the club makes. This approach aims to bridge the gap between active and passive fandom. Chiliz has formed partnerships with globally recognized sporting institutions, including FC Barcelona, Manchester City, Juventus Turin, and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as the UFC and gaming organizations.

Chiliz operates through a unique system where each sporting organization using its technology has a limited supply of fan tokens offered at an initial Fan Token Offering (FTO). These tokens are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, with the opening price and fully diluted market cap disclosed by Chiliz beforehand. The native CHZ token is used to acquire fan tokens and serves as the platform’s internal currency. Fans can then vote on the Socios platform with their fan tokens, a process facilitated using smart contracts. The level of influence fans have is determined by the clubs, with decisions ranging from new jersey designs to deciding team matchups in exhibition games.

Chiliz aims to change fan engagement in sports and entertainment. It enables fans to participate and influence club-related decisions through surveys and polls, thereby enhancing their connection with their favorite sports brands. This could include decisions on messages the captain should wear on his armband or even team matchups in exhibition games. Additionally, Chiliz aims to unlock potential new revenue streams for sports clubs and associations through the sale of fan tokens. The company is also focused on promoting blockchain technology adoption across Asia and Europe through the Chiliz Blockchain Campus, a privately-owned crypto incubator.

Chiliz was founded in 2017 by Alexandre Dreyfus, who has over 20 years of experience in founding and growing web-based companies. His explicit goal with the company is to establish Fan Tokens as a fan engagement tool and a potential new revenue generator for the sports industry. This vision is reflected in the expansion of fan tokens, which has attracted numerous European football clubs, as well as smaller clubs. The total supply of CHZ is 8.8 billion, minted at its launch in October 2018 and distributed to early contributors with no public sales beyond the initial distribution. Initially, CHZ launched as an ERC-20 token, but it was later also designed to be BEP-2 compatible.