Fifa Collect Abandons Algorand for Own EVM-Compatible Blockchain: What You Need to Know
FIFA Switches NFT Platform Provider from Algorand to Develop In-House Blockchain Solution
In a move aimed at optimizing performance, expanding capabilities, and fostering innovation, FIFA Collect - the official digital collectibles platform for FIFA soccer organization - has announced its migration from Algorand to its own Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible FIFA blockchain.
This transition, scheduled to take place no earlier than May 20, requires no immediate action from users or NFT owners, assures an official FAQ about the migration. "As FIFA Collect evolves," the FAQ reads, "we are migrating the platform to the FIFA Blockchain, an EVM-compatible blockchain."
FIFA Collect launched in 2022 during the lead-up to the last World Cup, minting its soccer-themed digital collectibles on Algorand, which was announced as the official blockchain platform of the soccer organization in May of that year. However, in December 2023, the platform also minted a collection of digital collectibles on Ethereum scaling network Polygon, indicating a broader aim.
Although Algorand wallets such as Pera and Defly will no longer be supported post-migration, FIFA Collect’s core user experience is expected to remain largely unchanged. Users will instead need to adopt EVM-compatible wallets like MetaMask or Rabby.
The FAQ notes that the creation of the new FIFA blockchain will support new experiences, enable wallet compatibility, and provide stronger foundations for future innovation. FIFA Collect users who had previously exported NFTs off the platform must re-import them before May 20 to ensure a smooth migration of their collectibles.
While the details of the upcoming FIFA blockchain are yet to be revealed, this move represents FIFA's growing commitment to interoperability and growth potential over Algorand's current infrastructure. Algorand has gained attention for acquiring music sharing service Napster in 2022 but has seen its native ALGO token drop significantly since.
FIFA Collect and Algorand representatives have not yet responded to Decrypt's requests for comment as of press time. But the Algorand Foundation remained optimistic, commenting that they wish FIFA the best of luck with their pivot.
Enrichment Data:
- FIFA Collect’s migration to its own EVM-compatible blockchain involves several aspects, including timing, reasons, impact on Algorand wallets, and future plans.
- The migration timeline includes an announcement on April 30, 2025, with the start date no earlier than May 20, 2025. A 10-hour outage during the transition is expected.
- Improved performance, enhanced compatibility, and innovation are among the reasons for the migration. EVM support enables broader wallet options, and the new blockchain will support new experiences and strengthen security for digital collectibles.
- Impact on Algorand wallets includes discontinued support for Pera and Defly wallets, the need for users to switch to EVM-compatible wallets like MetaMask, and the need for user asset management, such as reimporting exported collectibles before migration.
- FIFA Collect, the official digital collectibles platform of the FIFA soccer organization, is migrating from Algorand to its own Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible blockchain.
- The migration is scheduled to take place no earlier than May 20, 2025, and will require users to adopt EVM-compatible wallets like MetaMask or Rabby.
- While Algorand wallets such as Pera and Defly will no longer be supported post-migration, the core user experience of FIFA Collect is expected to remain largely unchanged.
- The creation of the new FIFA blockchain will support new experiences, enable wallet compatibility, and provide stronger foundations for future innovation.
- Users who had previously exported NFTs from FIFA Collect must re-import them before May 20, 2025, to ensure a seamless migration of their collectibles.
- The move represents FIFA's growing commitment to interoperability and growth potential over Algorand's current infrastructure.
- EVM support will enable broader wallet options for FIFA Collect's digital collectibles, such as tokens, crypto, and NFTs related to sports, like FIFA, collectibles, and crypto-based FIFA sports events.
- The details of the upcoming FIFA blockchain are yet to be revealed, but it is expected to improve performance, enhance security, and foster innovation in the digital asset, decentralized app (DApp), and blockchain technology space.
- Interestingly, Algorand, despite acquiring music sharing service Napster in 2022, has seen its native ALGO token drop significantly since, while the FIFA Collect platform's migration underscores the potential of Ethereum and its blockchain technology.
