As we celebrate the fifth anniversary of Fan Tokens™, we reflect on how they have redefined the relationship between fans and clubs, creating new opportunities for connection, decision-making, and unforgettable experiences.
Hundreds of fans have made their mark on their teams and lived their passion. Here, we’re sharing the journeys of three of the first-ever Fan Token holders—Marco from Italy, Maxi from Japan, and Erina from Japan—whose stories showcase the impact Fan Tokens have made. Hear from the innovators, the curious and the enthusiasts as Fan Tokens continue to evolve.
Peppe Roscio: Holding 1441 Fan Tokens
Peppe Roscio, an Italian Juventus fan with over 1,400 JUV Fan Tokens, embodies the passion of a true “Bianconero.” “I have had Bianconero blood running through my veins since I was born,” Peppe shared, reflecting on his lifelong devotion to the club. Inspired by legends like Platini, Baggio, and Del Piero, he cherishes Juventus’ history and values, including its iconic black-and-white stripes symbolizing “purity and rigour.” For Peppe, supporting Juventus is a lifestyle, encapsulated by their motto, “Never Give Up.”
His introduction to JUV Fan Tokens stemmed from his enthusiasm for technology and blockchain. “I follow blogs and newspapers about innovation,” Peppe explained, recalling his excitement at discovering the blockchain-based platform Socios.com. Fan Tokens captivated him by combining blockchain’s transparency with unique engagement opportunities. “What attracted me most was the idea of active involvement,” Peppe said, referencing decisions like voting on celebration songs or jersey designs.
Fan Tokens transformed his fandom into an active experience. “They made me feel closer to the team,” Peppe shared, describing exclusive rewards like virtual player meetings and year-round engagement. The tokens also reshaped his view of cryptocurrencies, showing him they offer “more than financial value—they create emotional connections.”
For Peppe, Fan Tokens bridge tradition and innovation, deepening his love for Juventus and “Fan Tokens could change the way we live and support our favourite teams.”
Marco de Riccardis: A Lifelong Juventus Devotee
For Marco de Riccardis, supporting Juventus is a lifelong passion born in childhood. Introduced to the “Old Lady” of Italian football by his father, Marco fondly recalls the dazzling skills of Roberto Baggio, Gianluca Vialli, and Alessandro Del Piero. “I’ve been a Juventus fan practically forever,” Marco shares. His devotion extends to collecting jerseys and making regular pilgrimages to the stadium to witness his beloved team in action.
Marco discovered JUV Fan Tokens through a social media contest offering match tickets. Though unfamiliar with cryptocurrency then, the idea of using digital assets to access exclusive fan experiences intrigued him. “ I was interested in deepening my knowledge of the crypto world, and the chance to enjoy unique experiences and get tickets to Juventus games with a minimal investment was definitely appealing,” Marco explains. Motivated by curiosity, he explored the Socios.com app and quickly became a fan of the platform’s unique offerings.
“Fan Tokens have allowed me to experience Juventus matches in ways I never imagined with VIP tickets or unique experiences like walkabouts or meet-and-greets with players, making everything more enjoyable and exciting.,” Marco says. These moments deepened his connection with the team. Beyond enhancing his fan experience, Fan Tokens also sparked Marco’s interest in crypto, inspiring him to explore investments like staking Chiliz.
“The great thing about Fan Tokens is not only being able to make decisions through club polls but also having access to unique experiences that regular fans usually can’t experience.” Marco concludes.
His journey, from football to crypto and Fan Tokens comes full circle as he experiences a unique path into the sporting world.
Maxi: From Crypto Enthusiast to Football Aficionado
In Japan, Maxi’s journey with Fan Tokens started differently. Already familiar with cryptocurrency, Maxi was among the first to explore Socios.com when it launched. “The Juventus Fan Token was the first token I hunted for,” Maxi recalls. The Juventus Fan Token was the very first Fan Token available to find using theToken Hunt feature which enables fans to hunt Fan Tokens, $CHZ and Reward Points.
Though not initially a Juventus supporter, Maxi’s curiosity and excitement about Chiliz’s flagship product drew him into the world of Fan Tokens.
One experience stands out: during the pandemic, Juventus invited JUV Fan Token holders to submit support videos for a Torino Derby played behind closed doors. Maxi remembers encouraging a friend and her child to participate. “Their video was shown several times during the match,” he says. “They were thrilled, and it was amazing to see how Fan Tokens could connect fans globally during such challenging times.”
Since embracing Fan Tokens, Maxi has grown to appreciate football. He even purchased Juventus jerseys and now follows matches with enthusiasm. “Fan Tokens have made me discover the fun of football,” Maxi says. As a holder of Fan Tokens from multiple teams, he values the sense of permanence they provide. “As long as I don’t give up my tokens, I retain my fan rights.”
Maxi hopes more clubs will leverage blockchain to strengthen fan engagement. “I hope opportunities like this, where fans from all over the world can get involved, will continue to grow.”
Erina: Innovating Sports Fandom
Erina, also based in Japan, brings a different perspective to the Fan Token ecosystem. A “supporter of Chiliz” since 2017, she was drawn to the innovative potential of Fan Tokens to transform sports entertainment. Erina uses the power of her Fan Tokens to support her favourite teams from afar.
“During the pandemic, I was part of the Galatasaray panel,” Erina shares. She also highlights the thrill of attending a Real Sociedad match in Japan, made possible through Fan Tokens.
Erina values the creativity and interactivity of the Socios.com platform, particularly the Locker Rooms feature, which allows fans to stake tokens and unlock new possibilities. “It was interesting to take part and use the Locker Room,” she says. Using Locker Room, fans reap rewards for locking their Fan Tokens for specific time frames.
Regarding the future of Fan Tokens, Erina is as excited as we are. “The relationship between crypto and sports is still emerging,” she adds while hoping “more people will recognize its potential.” As we power through to the next phase of the evolution of Fan Tokens, exciting developments are coming our way in this space.
Ricardo: A special circle of authentic fans
Riccardo Porretta, an Italian Juventus fan, describes supporting the team as “a lifestyle, a family tradition.” His passion for Juventus runs so deep that his “Monday morning mood depends on Juventus’ Sunday results.” He discovered JUV Fan Tokens through giveaways on X (Twitter) by Socios.com, catching his attention with their unique offering.
Initially unfamiliar with Fan Tokens, Riccardo quickly adapted to the platform, participating in hunts, polls, and using the marketplace. What appealed most was finally being “rewarded for my unconditional support,” a shift from the usual fan experience of only giving time and money.
Fan Tokens allowed Riccardo to join exclusive events and receive merchandise, elevating his status. “It feels like being part of a special circle of authentic fans,” he says. Through Socios.com, he also ventured deeper into cryptocurrencies, discovering opportunities he had previously never thought about.
Five Years of Innovation: A Shared Vision for the Future
All these stories highlight the transformative power of Fan Tokens. From lifelong supporters to crypto enthusiasts and casual fans, Fan Tokens have bridged diverse passions and created new avenues for connection.
For Marco, they’ve enriched his love for Juventus by offering unforgettable experiences. For Maxi, they’ve kindled a newfound appreciation for football. And for Erina, they’ve demonstrated the potential of blockchain to revolutionize fan engagement.
As communities celebrate this milestone, we’re proud of the global community we’ve built together. Fan Tokens are more than digital assets—they testify to the power of innovation, inclusion, and passion. Here’s to the next five years of redefining fandom, together.
