World Cup blockchain bets hit $20B, Chainalysis reports

Beyond prediction markets, fans traded digital collectibles linked to the tournament. FIFA Collect NFTs generated about $24 million in trading volume during the World Cup.

More than 100,000 match tickets were distributed through the FIFA Collect platform. Chainalysis called it one of the largest uses of blockchain ticketing at a global sporting event.

Wallets tied to sanctioned entities made up less than 0.01% of FIFA Collect users. Chainalysis credited the low number to the platform's identity verification requirements. Users had to confirm who they were before buying or trading collectibles. That extra step appeared to limit illicit access.

Chainalysis pointed to the size of both markets as evidence that blockchain tools are becoming a bigger part of major sporting events. The firm said compliance measures will matter more as platforms attract larger crowds.

The report did not name specific prediction market platforms. It focused on wallet-level data and geographic patterns.

The five-week tournament window covered the group stage through the final. The $20 billion figure includes pre-tournament trading and in-tournament wagers. The $5.7 billion figure covers only the five weeks of live competition.

Chainalysis released the findings on July 30, 2026, shortly after the final whistle.