FIFA President Gianni Infantino Announces Plans to Launch a Cryptocurrency Dubbed "FIFA coin"

In a move that's left the crypto world – and perhaps even football fans – doing a double-take, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced plans to launch a cryptocurrency dubbed "FIFA coin."

In a move that has left the crypto world, and perhaps even football fans, doing a double-take, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced plans to launch a cryptocurrency dubbed “FIFA coin.”

The unexpected reveal came during the inaugural White House Crypto Summit, where, according to reports by The Block and The TIE, President Donald Trump himself invited Infantino to address the attendees.

“Imagine the potential... only in soccer,” Infantino exclaimed to the assembled crypto heavyweights. “FIFA is very interested, to develop FIFA coin, and to do it from here, from America.”

He didn't shy away from admitting his own crypto naivety, extending an open invitation: “I’m not an expert at all. If there is anyone here who is interested, team up with FIFA… and we will conquer the world of soccer with FIFA coin.”

The audacious announcement lands at a pivotal moment for the digital asset space. President Trump’s White House played host to the “first of its kind” crypto summit on March 7th.

The gathering, which brought together A-list figures from the crypto industry, was part of broader efforts by the administration to highlight the role of emerging technologies in driving economic growth and national security.

The summit was organized around the theme of “A.I. and the Future of Financial Innovation.” It was spearheaded by White House A.I. and crypto czar David Sacks, and Bo Hines, executive director of the President's Working Group on Digital Assets.

The goal was to help solidify the U.S. as a global leader in digital finance. White House officials noted that the forum would be crucial for navigating the evolving crypto landscape, facilitating regulatory clarity, encouraging financial innovation, and exploring the vast economic opportunities within the crypto sphere.

This summit is a clear indicator of the crypto industry's growing presence within the U.S. political landscape. It closely follows President Trump's executive order in February, which focused on promoting "responsible growth and use of digital assets" across the entire economy.

The order directed various government agencies, including the Treasury Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, to coordinate their efforts in developing policies for cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.

Meanwhile, FIFA is looking to make its mark on the cryptocurrency scene. While crypto exchanges and tokens are now a mainstay in football as shirt, sleeve and touchline sponsors, fan tokens have thus far failed to make a significant impact.

Despite being hyped up by blockchain startups, these tokens have offered little engagement value and even less potential for monetary gains among fans.

However, FIFA is hoping to change the narrative with its own cryptocurrency. Leveraging its powerful global brand, the colossal $170 billion soccer industry, and a staggering 5 billion-strong fanbase, FIFA is making a gamble of immense proportions.

Whether “FIFA coin” can truly "conquer the world of soccer" as Infantino envisions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: FIFA is officially stepping onto the crypto pitch, and they're looking for teammates.