American crypto exchange Coinbase has formed a multi-year partnership with Riot Games, becoming the exclusive crypto exchange and official blockchain partner for global League of Legends and Valorant esports events. The deal launches at the Valorant Masters event in Toronto and includes various fan engagement initiatives such as social media campaigns, broadcast integrations, and new technical features.
Coinbase will sponsor in-game segments like "Econ Report" for Valorant and "Gold Grind" for League of Legends, highlighting in-game currency analysis. Additional promotion includes viewer rewards like redeemable emotes, icons, and giveaways for trips to tournaments. Coinbase also plans to explore Web3 tech opportunities with Riot, though specific plans remain undisclosed.
The announcement marks a significant return of crypto sponsorship to Riot after the collapse of the previous FTX alliance. Past partnerships between esports organizations and crypto firms have leveraged digital collectibles and instant payments, reflecting growing ties between the crypto and gaming sectors.
