Coinbase has partnered with Riot Games, the company behind League of Legends (LoL) and VALORANT. This partnership makes Coinbase the exclusive crypto exchange and official blockchain technology partner for Riot’s global esports events.
The partnership will start at the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Masters Toronto on June 7. Fans can look forward to an exciting mix of esports and crypto.
Blockchain Meets Esports
The Coinbase and Riot Games collaboration will cover important esports events for LoL and VALORANT, including the VCT Masters, VCT Champions, LoL’s Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), First Stand, and Worlds. Coinbase plans to create engaging in-game segments like the “Econ Report” for VALORANT and “Gold Grind” for LoL. These segments will likely provide live analysis of in-game currency strategies to enhance viewer involvement.
Fans are promised special segments, event activities, and digital rewards like unique emotes and icons. There will also be exclusive promotions, including trips to the VCT or LoL Worlds. Social media and technology campaigns will help spread the word about the partnership.
Coinbase is exploring Web3 technology to improve fan experiences, which aligns with Riot’s focus on players and creating meaningful moments for all fans.
Riot Games’ Experience with Crypto
Riot Games has previously worked in the crypto space. In 2021, Riot formed a $96 million, seven-year deal with FTX for the North American League of Legends Championship Series (LCS). However, this partnership ended when FTX collapsed in 2022. This showed the risks involved in crypto partnerships.
Despite this, Riot has reportedly shown openness to new sponsors in 2025, including betting and crypto companies, showing its commitment to financial stability. The Coinbase partnership represents a shift in focus towards fan engagement and education rather than integrating blockchain directly, allowing Riot to learn from past experiences and create a stronger partnership.
The Coinbase-Riot Games alliance is an important step for combining esports and crypto, promising better experiences for fans. This move follows previous Coinbase deals with Team Liquid, ESL Gaming, and Evil Geniuses that included crypto payments and event sponsorships.
The esports field, marked by FTX’s prior naming rights deal with TSM, highlights the growing connection between gaming and digital finance. As Coinbase and Riot work together, the link between gaming and crypto continues to grow.
