CHILIZ STRENGTHENS WITH GROUP CFO APPOINTMENT AHEAD OF CHILIZ CHAIN 2.0 MAINNET LAUNCH
SWITZERLAND, 15th September 2022: Chiliz, the world leading blockchain provider for the sports industry, has appointed industry veteran Julian La Picque as its new Group Chief Financial Officer. La Picque’s appointment comes as the Web3 technology company prepares for exponential growth with the Q4 launch of Chiliz Chain 2.0 (CC2) — the new layer 1 blockchain for the sports and entertainment industry.
La Picque joins from blockchain platform Covantis, where he also served as CFO. La Picque previously co-founded blockchain consulting firm Uncrypted in Geneva, where he advised traditional companies on how the technology could optimise their business processes and has held various roles at a global technology consultancy.
Chiliz are the creators of Fan Tokens and the Socios.com fan engagement and rewards platform. Fan Tokens are digital assets that allow users to access a token-gated community on Socios.com, where participation in a wide range of engagement features unlocks access to rewards. More than 170 major sporting organisations have embraced the Socios.com platform, with millions using Fan Tokens to take a stake in fan communities and get closer to their favourite teams.
La Picque’s experience will be invaluable as Chiliz continues its mission to deliver gamified, Web3 ready engagement and rewards communities for the world’s biggest sporting properties on Socios.com and gears up for the full mainnet launch of CC2.
The launch of CC2 will also increase the utility of Chiliz native cryptocurrency $CHZ, which is the digital currency of Socios.com.
CC2 will transform $CHZ into the network enabler of a new, open, multi-vertical ecosystem where leading brands from sports and entertainment can mint NFTs and Fan Tokens, build DeFi products and Play2Earn games, and create event, loyalty and merchandising programs with all fees to be paid in $CHZ.
La Picque’s arrival follows several major recent company announcements, chief among them
being a $100M Socios.com investment into FC Barcelona’s digital arm Barça Digital Entertainment, which has the mandate to roll out the club’s Web3 strategy. Barça Digital Entertainment will be among the first partners to gain exposure to CC2. The soft launch of Socios.com’s dedicated US app, which will enable US sports teams and fans from across the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLS to access the platform’s rewards and engagement community, is also imminent.
Alexandre Dreyfus, CEO of Chiliz and Socios.com, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Julian to the team as we prepare for the next phase in our development.
“Julian’s expertise in the blockchain space and in navigating high growth companies will be vital in driving our overall financial strategy forward and helping the company achieve its strategic goals.”
Julian La Picque, Group CFO of Chiliz and Socios.com, said: “Chiliz is on a mission to create a sustainable, diversified international business that will lead the global sports industry into Web3.
“I’m delighted to join the team and look forward to helping build an industry-leading financial infrastructure that will position us for continued growth and success.”
