Vici Gaming knocked Falcons out of the EWC 2026 Dota 2 semifinal this week, while Coinbase and Bitget became the tournament's first crypto sponsors under new French regulations. The win sends Vici Gaming to the grand final, and the sponsorship deal signals a shift in how French esports events can engage with digital assets.
The Semifinal Match
Vici Gaming took down Falcons in a best-of-three series that ended Thursday. The Chinese squad looked sharp throughout, closing out the match without dropping a game. Falcons, a top contender coming into the tournament, couldn't find an answer to Vici's aggressive early-game rotations. The loss ends Falcons' run at EWC 2026, while Vici moves on to face the winner of the other semifinal.
Crypto Sponsors Enter the Arena
Coinbase and Bitget are now official sponsors of the Esports World Cup, the first crypto companies to hold that status under France's updated regulatory framework. The French government recently loosened restrictions on crypto-related sponsorships for sporting and esports events, allowing exchanges and other digital-asset firms to brand tournaments and teams. Both exchanges have been active in esports before — Coinbase has sponsored teams in the past, and Bitget has deals with several gaming organizations — but this is their first joint appearance at a major French-hosted event.
What the Rules Allow
The new French regulations let crypto firms sponsor events as long as they hold a registered license with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Coinbase and Bitget both meet that requirement. The rules also require sponsors to include clear risk warnings in their marketing materials. For the EWC, that means any crypto-branded content at the venue or online must carry a disclaimer about volatility and potential loss. The tournament organizers worked with French regulators to ensure compliance before signing the deals.
The grand final is set for this weekend. Vici Gaming will face either Team Spirit or OG, who play their semifinal later today. A win would give Vici its first EWC title and put the spotlight on its new crypto backers.
