Crypto Brands Absent from Valorant Masters London Amid Shift in Esports Sponsorships

G2 Esports made quick work of Xi Lai Gaming at Valorant Masters London 2026, taking the series 2-0 on June 13. The team dominated Lotus and Ascent, winning 13-7 and 13-1 respectively.

The Upper Quarterfinals match marked the end of XLG's run in the London bracket of the VCT 2026 season. The lackluster performance was a stark contrast to past events, where crypto exchanges and NFT platforms were major sponsors.

G2 Esports' partnership with Betpanda, a crypto-based betting platform, remained visible throughout the match, but crypto branding as a whole seemed to be absent from the event. This is a departure from 2022 and 2023, when crypto exchanges like FTX and Coinbase were prominent sponsors.