Securitize and Socios have partnered to issue regulated tokenized equity tokens representing minority stakes in professional sports teams under the Socios Equity Token brand. The initiative marks the first issuance on Securitize’s European Trading & Settlement System, licensed under the EU DLT Pilot Regime. Securitize has tokenized $4 billion in real-world assets, while Socios works with more than 80 clubs and leagues. Unlike fan tokens, which serve as loyalty tools, the new equity tokens represent actual shares, giving investors regulated access to assets traditionally reserved for wealthy individuals and private equity firms.
Securitize and Socios have partnered to develop regulated tokenized equity offerings involving minority interests in professional sports teams under the Socios Equity Token brand, according to a statement from Securitize. The collaboration represents a significant union of sports finance and capital markets using blockchain technology.
This is the first initiative by Securitize on its fully compliant European Trading & Settlement System, licensed under the EU DLT Pilot Regime. Securitize has tokenized $4 billion in real-world assets and specializes in providing a platform to tokenize real-world assets with blockchain technology.
Socios operates a blockchain fan token ecosystem built on Chiliz technology, offering sports clubs a way to raise funds from fans. Its network spans more than 80 clubs and leagues.
In a post on X, Securitize said, “We’re partnering with @socios to develop Socios Equity Tokens, regulated tokenized equity offerings involving minority interests in professional sports teams.” The company added, “The partnership will explore new models for capital formation and equity ownership across global sports.”
Fan tokens function mainly as loyalty or reward tools, while the new equity tokens will actually be shares. For investors, this provides regulatory-compliant and liquid access to a capital asset traditionally available only to extremely wealthy persons and private equity companies.
The strategy reflects a broader institutional move toward tokenization. BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and Apollo are among major players expanding on-chain funds and setting up stablecoin-based settlement systems.
The project now operates under the EU DLT Pilot Regime, where it must prove the model’s usefulness for secondary market trading and settlement of securities. That remains one of the biggest challenges facing exchanges, brokers, and custodians.
