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Crypto is transforming F1 with major sponsorships, fan tokens, and NFTs, driving innovation on and off the track.
Author: Tanishq Bodh
If you’re an F1 fan, you already know the sport is all about speed, innovation, and cutting-edge technology. But lately, there’s a new player in the pit lane: crypto. Crypto F1 sponsorships are becoming a major force, shaping the future of the sport. That’s right, blockchain and digital assets are revving up their engines and diving headfirst into the world of Formula 1. And trust me, it’s not just some flashy logo slapped on a car—this is a full-throttle partnership that’s changing the game.
Let’s break it down, because this is where the rubber meets the road.
Bybit kicked off its partnership with Red Bull Racing in 2022, signing a three-year deal worth a staggering $150 million. That’s enough to fund a small country or, in this case, help Max Verstappen dominate the grid. Bybit’s branding is front and center on the car, and they’ve been working with Red Bull on fan tokens and NFTs. With the deal set to expire at the end of 2025, all eyes are on whether this partnership will continue into the next era of F1.
Gate.io has leveled up its game in 2025 by becoming the exclusive crypto partner of Oracle Red Bull Racing. This isn’t just another sponsorship—it’s a full-blown collaboration that cements Gate.io’s place in the F1 world. While the exact financial details aren’t public, industry insiders speculate the deal could be worth around $50 million per year.
What makes this partnership stand out? Gate.io isn’t just slapping their logo on the car; they’re deeply integrated into Red Bull’s ecosystem. From fan engagement initiatives to exclusive digital experiences, Gate.io is bringing its crypto expertise to one of the most dominant teams in F1 history. And let’s not forget—this is the team that’s been crushing it with Max Verstappen at the wheel. Talk about a power move.
Coinbase made headlines in 2025 by joining F1 as a sponsor and paying their entire sponsorship fee in crypto—specifically, USDC. While the exact amount isn’t disclosed, it’s estimated to be around $10–15 million per year. For reference, other co-title sponsors like Cognizant and Aramco are shelling out $20–30 million annually. Coinbase’s branding is prominent, so they’re definitely getting their money’s worth.
Kraken has been with Williams since 2023, and while the financial details are under wraps, we can make an educated guess. Williams’ total sponsorship revenue for 2023 was around $48.2 million, with Duracell leading the pack at $6 million per year. Kraken is a top-five sponsor, so they’re likely paying around $3–5 million annually. Not the biggest deal on the grid, but hey, every bit counts when you’re trying to climb the constructor standings.
McLaren’s partnership with OKX is one of the most exciting in the crypto-F1 space. The deal runs through 2026 and is estimated to be worth hundreds of millions over the multi-year contract. That’s around $30 million per year, folks. OKX isn’t just slapping their logo on the car—they’re deeply integrated into McLaren’s digital strategy, including fan engagement and NFTs.
Binance partnered with Alpine in early 2022, and it’s been a wild ride. The deal included promoting the $ALPINE fan token, which hit a market cap of $100 million in 2022 before crashing down to $11 million. Despite the volatility, Binance is still in the game, paying an estimated $5–10 million per year, including token revenue sharing.
This groundbreaking deal was announced ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, and it’s already got fans buzzing. ApeCoin is bringing its Web3 expertise to the table, and Alpine is reaping the benefits.
Stake, the crypto betting platform, went all-in with Sauber (now known as the Stake F1 Team). Their deal is worth a whopping $100 million over three seasons. That’s not just a sponsorship—it’s a full rebrand. The team even incorporates the Stake name in its official title. Plus, Stake partnered with CoinPayments in 2025, showing they’re serious about staying in the crypto-F1 game.
Here’s the thing about crypto sponsorships in F1: they follow the market. In 2022, nearly every team had a crypto partner, with 16 sponsors in total. But after the 2022 bear run, that number dropped to 12 by mid-2023.
Take Mercedes, for example. They had a deal with FTX (2021–2022), but when the exchange went bust, Mercedes had to pull the plug mid-season. Ferrari faced a similar situation with Velas (2021–2023), a Layer 1 blockchain, leaving a $30 million hole in their budget. Haas had OpenSea (2022–2023), but the partnership didn’t make a significant impact and wasn’t renewed. And AlphaTauri’s deal with Fantom (2022) ended after the crypto crash, though they’ve since rebranded to Sonic and are sponsoring Pierre Gasly this season.
Let’s not forget Crypto.com, the trailblazer of this whole movement. Back in 2021, they signed a five-year deal with F1 worth over $100 million. That’s $20 million per year, making them the Official Cryptocurrency Partner of F1. You’ve probably seen their branding on track signage and during broadcasts. They’re the ones who really kicked off this crypto-F1 craze.
As of March 2025, four teams are still without crypto sponsors: Mercedes, Ferrari, Haas, and AlphaTauri. But given the cyclical nature of the crypto market, it’s only a matter of time before they jump back in.
The bottom line? Crypto F1 sponsorships and the sport itself are a perfect match. Both are fast-paced, tech-driven, and constantly evolving. Whether it’s fan tokens, NFTs, or just good old-fashioned sponsorship deals, blockchain is here to stay in the world of motorsport.
So next time you’re watching a race, keep an eye out for those crypto logos. They’re not just there for show—they’re part of the future of F1. And who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll see a driver paid entirely in Bitcoin. Now that would be a headline.
