SOCIOS.COM SECURES VIRTUAL ASSET SERVICE PROVIDER REGISTRATION IN SPAIN AS IT DEEPENS PRESENCE IN KEY MARKET

• This registration, granted by the Bank of Spain and active from March 21st, will allow Socios.com to offer crypto asset exchange in Spain in compliance with the requirements of its central bank’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) rules.

30 MARCH 2023: Chiliz, the Sports Blockchain, is delighted to announce that Socios.com, its fan voting and rewards app, has been granted registration as a Virtual Asset Services Provider (VASP) by the Bank of Spain. This registration will allow Socios.com to offer crypto asset exchange in Spain in compliance with the requirements of its central bank’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) rules. The registration is effective from March 21st, 2023.

The Bank of Spain, through the Executive Service of the Commission for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Monetary Offences, oversees and ensures compliance with AML and CTF rules for VASPs offering exchange services for euros or other currencies for crypto assets.

This milestone follows the regulatory approval secured recently in Italy which saw Socios.com granted status as an approved service provider of virtual currencies and digital wallets by the Organismo Agenti e Mediatori (OAM) in August 2022, and further attests to Socios.com commitment to the robust and thorough AML and CTF controls.

Spain is a key market for Socios.com, where the company has already built a strong presence, with partners including leading football clubs FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Valencia CF, Sevilla FC, Real Sociedad and Levante UD and LaLiga. Socios.com inaugurated its Spanish headquarters in June 2021. Today, a growing team of over 50 employees are based in our Madrid offices, which are instrumental in Socios.com’s partnership activation strategy.

The registration will cement consumer trust in the new, fast-paced and growing market of blockchain-based fan engagement, also bringing in critical protections which enhances the Socios.com platform for its community and wider set of stakeholders.

Alexandre Dreyfus, CEO of Socios.com, said: “Approval from the Bank of Spain is a crucial part of our efforts to protect consumers and continue building our offer in the region. Spain is a very important market for us in which we already have a strong presence. We are committed to building lasting growth throughout the region and will continue working with regulators to guarantee legitimacy and trust for our customers.”

Created by Chiliz, the Sports Blockchain, the Socios.com platform is designed to allow sports clubs to reward fans for engaging and supporting their team. Socios.com’s Fan Tokens, which users can buy and sell directly on the app, provide holders around the world with an array of rewards; new opportunities for engagement through polls; enhanced access to the club they support and its players; and a community where they can build networks with other fans.