NFT

NFTs are unique digital identifiers recorded on a blockchain that certify ownership and authenticity of a specific asset. Moving past the "PFP" craze, 2026 NFTs emphasize utility, representing everything from IP rights and digital fashion to RWA titles and event ticketing. This tag explores the technical standards of digital ownership, the growth of NFT marketplaces, and the integration of non-fungible tech into the broader Creator Economy and enterprise solutions.

13082 Articles
Created: 2026/02/02 18:52
Updated: 2026/02/02 18:52
FIFA World Cup NFTs Slammed With Criminal Charges

FIFA World Cup NFTs Slammed With Criminal Charges

The post FIFA World Cup NFTs Slammed With Criminal Charges appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Gespa, a Swiss gambling authority, filed a criminal complaint against FIFA for its NFT collection. The regulator claimed that competitions for on-chain rewards may constitute unregistered betting. Still, though, this complaint is non-binding. Gespa offered to cooperate with any prosecution efforts, but it won’t spearhead a case itself. FIFA may be able to reach a non-litigious agreement with government officials. Sponsored Sponsored FIFA’s NFT Competitions Soccer and the crypto sector have had years of overlap at this point, and FIFA has been offering its own NFTs for quite some time. However, this trade may have brought some trouble to the football association, as Swiss authorities may pursue charges against FIFA in the near future. Specifically, Gespa, the Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority, alleged in a criminal complaint that FIFA’s NFT offerings may constitute gambling. Rather than buying products directly, users enter challenges or await drops in the hope of receiving assets. Due to their monetary value, these NFTs may violate gambling regulations: “Various competitions related to [NFT] collectibles are offered [on FIFA platforms]…Participation in the competitions is only possible in exchange for a monetary stake, with monetary benefits to be won. From a gambling law perspective, the offers in question are partly lotteries and partly sports betting,” Gespa’s complaint read. Sponsored Sponsored New Distribution Schemes? So, why is this a problem now, after several years of operation? For one thing, FIFA switched its partner in NFT generation, using Avalanche instead of Algorand as its underlying blockchain. This brought a huge surge of activity to Avalanche and may have introduced further lottery-like mechanics into asset distribution. Additionally, Gespa claims that it only discovered FIFA’s NFT platform this month. Until then, the regulator was apparently unaware of the competitions, such as drops and challenges, that can allow users to win NFTs. We don’t…

Author: BitcoinEthereumNews
Sunny Lu Details VeChain’s Roadmap for Institutional Adoption and Sustainable Growth

Sunny Lu Details VeChain’s Roadmap for Institutional Adoption and Sustainable Growth

VeChain founder Sunny Lu has shared new details on the blockchain’s roadmap, focusing on institutional access, regulatory clarity, and user participation. In an exclusive interview with Foresight News, Lu discussed VeChain’s ongoing “Renaissance” upgrades and strategic partnerships. These initiatives are reshaping the project’s ecosystem for long-term growth. Lu observed that the cryptocurrency sector is moving from a retail-driven phase to one led by institutional participation. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs), clearer regulations, and compliance standards are shaping a more organized and sustainable market. He believes this transition will define the next stage of adoption, replacing brief speculative cycles with longer and steadier market phases. Regulatory Clarity and the Renaissance Upgrade Regulatory developments in Europe and the United States have accelerated this shift. The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) directive became fully operational in December 2024. In the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Project Crypto initiative has also introduced clearer rules for compliant digital asset operations. According to the CEO, these frameworks have lowered the barriers for traditional finance institutions to join the crypto market. They are seen as key to linking long-term participation with industry maturity and stability. Building on this regulatory progress, VeChain has launched the “Renaissance” upgrade series to decentralize governance and modernize network incentives. The initiative aims to give both node operators and ordinary users a more active role in decision-making and reward distribution. Instead of the previous passive holding model, network participants now receive rewards based on their contributions to system security and activity. Lu explained that this change aligns VeChain’s technical and economic structures with its long-term decentralization goals. The upgrade will roll out in three stages, with Phase I completed in June 2025 and Phase II scheduled for December. The final phase is expected to conclude by late 2026, completing the transformation of VeChain’s governance model. Institutional Partnerships and Technical Expansion By March 2025, VeChain had already secured MiCA compliance in all 27 EU member states. This achievement positioned the network to support institutional-grade participation and future collaborations with regulated entities. To enhance accessibility, VeChain launched Stargate in July 2025, a platform that allows users to stake VET through smart contracts. Participants receive NFTs representing their staking rights, which can be used to select validators and automatically receive protocol-distributed block rewards. Lu described Stargate as a step toward broader decentralization by enabling anyone to participate in network consensus. This model, he noted, promotes transparency and fairness while maintaining technical efficiency. Following these developments, VeChain partnered with BitGo, Keyrock, and Franklin Templeton in August 2025 to strengthen its institutional presence. The collaboration introduced custody, liquidity management, and tokenized financial products under MiCA-compliant conditions. According to Lu, the partnerships aim to turn institutions into long-term ecosystem contributors rather than temporary participants. They also help VeChain build infrastructure that supports regulated financial activity within its ecosystem. Ecosystem Growth and Long-Term Vision Beyond its staking layer, VeChain is building an integrated ecosystem organized into three levels. The structure includes VeChain Kit for developers, Stargate for connections, and the upcoming V World wallet for users. The wallet aims to merge account systems, financial tools, and decentralized applications into a single platform. It blends Web3 functionality with Web2 simplicity to create a more user-friendly environment. These figures highlight early progress toward VeChain’s expansion goals. The 2025 targets include 30 billion VET staked, 20 million active users, and over 100 live applications. For the CEO, the focus remains on building sustainable systems rather than following speculative trends.  He summarized VeChain’s vision with his motto: “Pick right, choose long, iterate extremely fast.” Lu emphasized that the project’s strategy is steady and disciplined, aligning governance, regulation, and real-world utility. “In the long run, doing difficult but right things is the real ‘right thing to do’ in the industry. This path isn’t flashy, but it’s explanatory; it thrives not on aggressiveness but on stability.” The post Sunny Lu Details VeChain’s Roadmap for Institutional Adoption and Sustainable Growth appeared first on CoinTab News.

Author: Coinstats
Swiss Gambling Authorities File Charges Against FIFA World Cup NFT Platform

Swiss Gambling Authorities File Charges Against FIFA World Cup NFT Platform

The post Swiss Gambling Authorities File Charges Against FIFA World Cup NFT Platform appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Key Notes Gespa determined FIFA Collect’s random draw system for NFT distribution constitutes illegal gambling under Swiss Federal Act without proper licensing. The platform generated $52 million in total volume across 2.2 million minted NFTs, peaking at $9.6 million in September during Ballon d’Or festivities. Legal proceedings now move to Swiss prosecutors while the NFT marketplace remains operational and has not issued a public response. The Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority (Gespa) has lodged a criminal complaint against FIFA Collect, an NFT platform affiliated with the FIFA World Cup, after concluding that the project violated its national gambling laws. Gespa Files Criminal Complaint Against FIFA’s Blockchain-Based NFT Platform In a filing dated on Oct. 17, Gespa’s investigation confirmed collect.fifa.com operated without a license while offering gambling-style services to users. The platform reportedly allowed participants to pay entry fees to join digital “drops” and “challenges” tied to NFT collectibles, where winners were chosen through random draws or chance-based mechanics. According to Gespa, these mechanisms meet the legal criteria for lotteries and sports betting under Swiss law, both of which require prior regulatory authorization. Gespa mentioned the agency was first alerted to the platform’s operations in early October 2025, prompting a formal probe into the blockchain-based system. The final legal assessment and enforcement actions now rest with Switzerland’s public prosecutors, who may call on Gespa for technical or regulatory assistance during the investigation, as permitted under Article 135(1) of the gambling statute. Ballon d’Or Frenzy Drove FIFA Collect NFT Sales to $52M As of press time, FIFA Collect has not responded to Gespa’s complaint, while the NFT platform remains active and operational. According to its website, FIFA Collect allows fans to acquire iconic football digital collectibles, unlock exclusive World Cup rewards, and secure match tickets for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 through…

Author: BitcoinEthereumNews
FIFA Faces Criminal Charges in Switzerland Over NFT Reward Scheme

FIFA Faces Criminal Charges in Switzerland Over NFT Reward Scheme

TLDR Swiss gambling authority Gespa has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA over its NFT platform. The complaint alleges that FIFA’s NFT competitions may qualify as unlicensed gambling under Swiss law. Gespa claims that users must pay to participate in challenges with the chance to win valuable digital assets. FIFA recently moved its NFT operations [...] The post FIFA Faces Criminal Charges in Switzerland Over NFT Reward Scheme appeared first on Blockonomi.

Author: Blockonomi
OpenSea Launches New Platform as Token Trading Surges Past NFTs

OpenSea Launches New Platform as Token Trading Surges Past NFTs

TLDR OpenSea has shifted from an NFT marketplace to a multi-chain crypto trading aggregator. The platform now allows trading of tokens, NFTs, and memecoins across 22 different blockchains. OpenSea uses decentralized exchanges like Uniswap and Meteora to provide aggregated liquidity. The company operates on a non-custodial model and does not require users to complete KYC [...] The post OpenSea Launches New Platform as Token Trading Surges Past NFTs appeared first on Blockonomi.

Author: Blockonomi
OpenSea pivots to “trade everything” — $SEA token to launch Q1 2026

OpenSea pivots to “trade everything” — $SEA token to launch Q1 2026

OpenSea is undergoing its biggest transformation since the 2021 NFT boom. The platform that once dominated digital collectibles is now repositioning itself.

Author: Coinstats
Swiss Regulator Takes Action Against FIFA’s NFT Platform Over Gambling Concerns

Swiss Regulator Takes Action Against FIFA’s NFT Platform Over Gambling Concerns

TLDR GESPA claims FIFA Collect’s NFT rewards involve chance-based gambling elements. FIFA’s NFT platform faces scrutiny for offering rewards with monetary stakes. FIFA Collect launched in 2022 but is now under legal investigation in Switzerland. Swiss law only permits two regulated nationwide sports gambling providers. Switzerland’s Gambling Supervisory Authority (GESPA) has filed a formal complaint [...] The post Swiss Regulator Takes Action Against FIFA’s NFT Platform Over Gambling Concerns appeared first on CoinCentral.

Author: Coincentral
Best Crypto to Buy as Florida Restarts Crypto Reserve Bill

Best Crypto to Buy as Florida Restarts Crypto Reserve Bill

The post Best Crypto to Buy as Florida Restarts Crypto Reserve Bill appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Crypto News Takeaways Florida’s HB 183 signals a policy shift: The bill could authorize up to 10% of state funds to be allocated to Bitcoin, crypto ETFs, and digital assets, marking a bold step toward institutional blockchain adoption. The move reflects growing trust in crypto as a long-term asset class, potentially paving the way for other states to follow. Presales are gaining momentum amid institutional tailwinds, with projects like $HYPER, $MAXI, and $BFX attracting early investors. Florida is taking another swing at becoming a state with a crypto reserve. Representative Webster Barnaby has reintroduced House Bill 183: a revamped version of a prior digital asset reserve bill that failed to pass in June. The new bill would allow the state, as well as select public entities, to invest up to 10% of their funds in digital assets. These include Bitcoin, crypto ETFs, NFTs, and blockchain-based securities. The revamped bill is a notable expansion from Barnaby’s original proposal, which focused entirely on Bitcoin. Unlike its predecessor, House Bill 183 includes more stringent custody, fiduciary, and documentation standards, with the aim of addressing transparency and risk management concerns that hindered the previous bill. If passed, the bill would come into effect on July 1, 2026, and would authorize the State Board of Administration to allocate pension and trust funds into approved digital assets. Currently, only three US states have successfully passed Bitcoin or digital asset reserve bills: Texas, Arizona, and New Hampshire. This makes Florida’s renewed push a potential turning point for wider state-level adoption – especially if it’s successful. Source: bitcoinreservemonitor.com With Florida’s renewed interest in building a state-backed crypto reserve, investor confidence across the digital asset space is surging. As policymakers move toward long-term crypto accumulation, several presales are positioning themselves to benefit, combining institutional-grade innovation, community-driven energy, and real-world…

Author: BitcoinEthereumNews
QubicBay: The Ultimate Gateway for NFTs?

QubicBay: The Ultimate Gateway for NFTs?

The NFT market radically changed in 2025. Exorbitant fees (gas fees) and endless confirmation delays are a thing of the past. The sector is maturing: major brands are massively adopting NFTs for their digital collectibles, access tickets, and loyalty programs. L’article QubicBay: The Ultimate Gateway for NFTs? est apparu en premier sur Cointribune.

Author: Coinstats
Florida Lawmaker Refiles Crypto Bill To Let State Invest In Bitcoin, ETFs, NFTs

Florida Lawmaker Refiles Crypto Bill To Let State Invest In Bitcoin, ETFs, NFTs

The Official Trump price plummeted 6% in the last 24 hours to trade at $5.56 as of 4:10 a.m. EST on a 48% surge in [...]

Author: Insidebitcoins