This is FTBA. 27.05.22

I've been down a Web3 rabbit hole since Q4 last year. Why? Because the RSX Sports business has been in and around Web3 brands and blockchain curious rightsholders for the last year or so and I've realised that Web3 done right can be brilliant for football rightsholders and fans, and sport in general, as a fan engagement tool. We've all seen and heard the horror football crypto/blockchain/Tokens/NFTs stories of late but that's not Web3's fault, that's the way it was used and abused by some businesses. So hate those players, not the game.

It doesn't help that football fans, especially in Scotland, are a cynical bunch at the best of times so when you factor in silly business models, poor communication and education, some bad actors and the inherent risk of 'mainstream' crypto and a very real fear of losing money, Web3 is a tough sell right now. So I spent that time down the rabbit hole so that I, with a few other cool folks (who will become known very soon) could bring to life a Web3 Fan Universe which counters all these problems, that is safe, risk free, transparent and, most of all, fun for fans. So on 27th May we're launching FTBA (Fitba, as some of us call the beautiful game up here), the Fan Universe for Scottish Football Fans.

FTBA will become the home of Scottish Football news and original content, including podcasts, video programming, live streaming and more, with content created by football media personalities and pundits and by fans! FTBA is by fans, for fans and puts fans at the heart of the content through it's participation features, votes, polls, missions and contests, AMAs (Ask Me Anything) and more, and will give them the opportunity to be the star of the show, with Fan Reaction video uploads, as invited guests onto Podcasts and live Watchalongs and by even giving some of them the chance to create their very own Podcasts and shows.

FTBA Tokens elevate the fans experience by providing a gateway to even more participation opportunities, exclusive and premium content, experiences and exclusive Digital Collectables.

FTBA is the safest way for fans to understand, embrace and enjoy Tokens and Collectables. Our Platform is a standalone blockchain, completely untethered to the 'mainstream' blockchain and crypto, which means FTBA Tokens are not exposed to the volatility that the markets, speculators, shysters and Elon Musk's Tweets cause. Everything is a set price; 20 Tokens = ￡1. The prices of Tokens and Collectables are set by FTBA and what cost ￡1 yesterday, costs ￡1 today and will cost ￡1 tomorrow and forever. FTBA Tokens and Collectables can't be traded, they are not investment products or securities. The Tokens are a gateway to content, experiences and Collectables and their sole purpose is enjoyment. They are a cryptocurrency but because of our standalone, untethered platform FTBA Tokens are more akin to an iTunes Gift Card. Our Collectables, which are available in Randomised Packs and occasional Collection Drops, are solely intended to replicate the nostalgic thrill of Panini Stickers and FIFA Pack openings, for bragging rights amongst friends and for fun.

We believe that everybody should have the chance to enjoy Web 3, so our Tokens and Collectables are affordable to all, as low as ￡1 per Collectable with none of the crazy selling prices of other platforms, and have no hidden or Gas fees. And because it's an isolated platform, FTBA will be free of the get rich quick mob who ruin it for everyone, ensuring it's only true Scottish football fans on FTBA, not speculators. With that being said, FTBA Tokens are still a form of cryptocurrency and while they aren't an investment product which can go up or down in value fans should still only buy FTBA Tokens or Digital Collectables if they can afford to do so and should be aware that our level of safety isn't replicated on all platforms, where crypto values are volatile, can go up and down in value and where customers can lose money.

But fans don't even need to spend anything. FTBA will have lots of free content and fans can earn and win Tokens just by engaging, participating and being true fans. We even give them Tokens for signing up and for inviting friends, so fans can access premium content and buy Collectables at no actual cost.

The final thing we wanted to address was the energy guzzling. Most blockchain and minting platforms use the hugely energy intensive PoW (Proof of Work) or PoS (Proof of Stake) mechanisms but FTBA uses the more trusthworth and energy efficient PoA (Proof of Authority) mechanism, which uses almost no computing power and therefore almost no electricity for its operation. Factor in that the team we've worked with to make FTBA a reality overcompensate for their carbon footprint through reforestation and FTBA is, essentially, carbon neutral, which is great for helping ensure a world for future Scottish football fans.

Like anything new, FTBA is a leap of faith which may never reach the heights we hope for but we know that leap is made with the genuine intentions of doing things right, putting fans first, making it safe and sustainable and, ultimately, a valuable, rewarding and fun Scottish Football Fan Universe.

FTBA will be available as a Progressive Web App on 27th May and will be available in the App and Play Stores soon after. We launch on 27th ahead of the Scotland v Ukraine World Cup Play-off Semi-Final and have partnered with Choose Love to release a special, limited edition collection of 3D Parallax Animated Digital Art Collectables inspired by the Scotland National Team, with all profits being donated to the Choose Love Ukraine Appeal supporting the displaced people and refugees of Ukraine. Full FTBA details will be announced on 27th.