The Croatian Soccer Federation (HNS) has launched a brand new loyalty program that rewards followers with cryptocurrencies by its official retailer app, making Croatia the primary nationwide soccer staff to embed blockchain rewards immediately into its fan engagement system.
HNS issued an official assertion on Tuesday collectively with blockchain firm Cadena, which it partnered with in February of this 12 months. The multi-year cooperation can be prolonged by main world soccer tournaments such because the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 UEFA EuroCup.
The brand new function was rolled out on Tuesday, simply two days earlier than Croatia’s World Cup qualifier towards the Czech Republic on October ninth, and forward of their subsequent match towards Gibraltar on October twelfth. In response to the federation, the timing of the product’s debut is meant to extend fan enthusiasm as Croatia pushes in direction of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
HNS official retailer app advantages have began
Below the brand new system, followers who buy jerseys, scarves and different merchandise by the HNS Official Retailer app will robotically obtain 1% of their spend again in VATRENI tokens.
Tokens issued on Kadena’s blockchain community might be redeemed for staff merchandise and VIP experiences. The federation mentioned future redemption choices, equivalent to match tickets, can be added at a later date.
Every taking part fan may even have a digital pockets linked to their app account, permitting them to earn, obtain, and retailer rewards with out having to take care of the technical points required for cryptocurrencies.
The VATRENI token was first launched as an ERC-20 asset on the Polygon community, however was later migrated to the Kadena blockchain by way of Kinesis Bridge. Identified for its scalable Proof-of-Work structure referred to as Chainweb, Kadena’s know-how boasts excessive transaction throughput with minimal charges.
The blockchain platform helps each its personal good contract language, Pact, and compatibility with Ethereum Digital Machine (EVM), which is at the moment on testnet, making it accessible for mainstream software improvement.
“Our purpose with the VATRENI token is to push the boundaries of conventional fan engagement and introduce future-ready experiences,” mentioned Joel Woodman, Head of Partnerships at Kadena. “We’re working with our companions to combine new applied sciences equivalent to AI instruments, digital experiences and personalised activation into the Croatian Soccer Federation ecosystem.”
Croatian nationwide staff explores engagement with followers by digital tokens
When asserting the Kadena partnership in February, HNS President Marijan Kustic mentioned the federation was responding to a shift in fan conduct in direction of cryptocurrencies.
“The mission of HNS is to make sure the event of Croatian soccer into the longer term, consistent with tendencies not solely in sport, but additionally in society as an entire. Cryptocurrency and synthetic intelligence have develop into a part of on a regular basis life, so we’re preserving tempo with their improvement by the VATRENI challenge.”
The HNS Official Retailer app is accessible for obtain on each the Apple App Retailer and Google Play. As soon as logged in, followers can browse official merchandise with none extra setup and robotically obtain crypto rewards for his or her purchases. Kadena’s system processes blockchain transactions, so customers don’t want any prior cryptocurrency expertise to take part.
The partnership additionally contains promotional components equivalent to ticket giveaways and reward swimming pools for app customers. The federation expects the initiative to extend app downloads within the coming months, predicting tons of of hundreds of wallets can be created by the point the World Cup is held in Canada, Mexico and the USA subsequent 12 months.
In response to ESPN statistics, Croatia leads Group L of the UEFA World Cup qualifiers, having received all 4 video games towards Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Czech Republic and Gibraltar.
Croatia is one among a small however rising variety of soccer organizations experimenting with blockchain-based fan packages. Whereas a number of European golf equipment have launched Fan Tokens in recent times, HNS turns into the primary nationwide staff to combine crypto rewards immediately into their official commerce platform.
Paris Saint-Germain Fan Tokens ($PSG) attracted the eye of soccer followers throughout the 2024-25 season, particularly after the membership received the treble, together with the UEFA Champions League trophy.
