Coinbase Becomes Exclusive Crypto Partner for Riot Games’ Esports Events
Coinbase has secured a landmark multi-year partnership with Riot Games, becoming the exclusive cryptocurrency exchange sponsor for major esports titles like League of Legends and Valorant. The collaboration kicks off with the Valorant Masters tournament in Toronto this June, marking a significant milestone in crypto’s integration into mainstream entertainment and gaming.
Coinbase Secures Exclusive Crypto Sponsorship for Riot Games’ Esports Titles
Coinbase has inked a multi-year deal with Riot Games, positioning itself as the exclusive cryptocurrency exchange partner for League of Legends and Valorant esports events. The partnership will launch at June’s Valorant Masters tournament in Toronto, featuring integrated fan engagement campaigns across broadcasts and social media.
The sponsorship signals crypto’s accelerating penetration into mainstream entertainment. Coinbase gains privileged access to Riot’s global esports audience, though financial terms remain undisclosed. This follows similar moves by crypto firms targeting gaming demographics through high-visibility sponsorships.
Coinbase Unveils x402 Protocol for On-Chain Payments via HTTP
Coinbase has introduced an open-source protocol named x402, designed to facilitate on-chain payments through HTTP. The system leverages the previously unused HTTP 402 "Payment Required" status code to enable direct machine-native transactions using stablecoins. Announced on May 6, this innovation allows autonomous agents and applications to pay for API access, data, and services without human intervention or traditional payment infrastructures.
The CORE architecture of x402 enables servers to issue HTTP 402 responses with payment instructions when a client requests a paid resource. Clients, whether human or automated, can then initiate an on-chain transaction and retry the request with a signed payment. This framework opens the door to seamless microtransactions, potentially revolutionizing how digital services are monetized.
