Uptop Expands NBA Loyalty Program to Detroit Pistons

Second NBA Partnership Validates Blockchain-Powered Fan Rewards 

Following the successful launch of Cavs Rewards last fall, Uptop is bringing its loyalty platform to Detroit. Pistons Rewards marks the second NBA franchise to join Uptop's open-loop, interoperable loyalty system, reinforcing the company's basketball presence and helping move towards its goal of bringing fans all over the world a game-changing fan experience.

The Detroit launch follows the playbook established in Cleveland: reward fans for everyday spending, provide sponsors with attribution data, and keep blockchain complexity invisible to users. Built on Avalanche's infrastructure, the platform handles transactions seamlessly while focusing on converting routine purchases into fan engagement and measurable revenue. Detroit will benefit from various new features that have now been added to the platform since the launch of the Cavs program.  

Platform Improvements Since Cleveland Launch 

The Pistons launch includes several enhancements validated through Uptop’s first season in the NBA: 

• Live prediction engine: Real-time bonus points on game predictions like the over/under or spread of a match up 

• Self-serve data dashboard: Teams and their sponsors can receive real-time campaign performance data in a self-service dashboard 

• AI receipt scanning improvements: Outside of card and wallet linking, CPG brands, like Coca-cola, can run campaigns within Uptop with improved performance. 

“We couldn’t be more excited to expand our footprint in the NBA with the Pistons. Detroit has a storied franchise – and its timelessness is evident in its fanbase’s unwavering loyalty,” said Ross Basri, co-founder of Uptop. “We’re equally excited to showcase the scalability of Uptop’s tech stack that led to our early success in Cleveland – including open banking, digital wallets, and receipt scanning, all powered by the Avalanche network. Both fans and the Pistons’ corporate partners will love the value we plan to bring to this initiative.” 

Pistons Rewards Launch Details 

Pistons Rewards will launch ahead of the October home opener. Fans who pre-register at Pistons.com/Rewards will receive 3,000 bonus points and enter a drawing for opening-night tickets.  

How It Works 

1. Sign up for the waitlist via the Pistons app or Pistons.com/Rewards 

2. When live you will be able to link a payment method, and abstracted wallet will be created   

3. Shop normally at partner stores—restaurants, gas stations, and online merchants earn Pistons Points automatically 

4. Scan receipts for eligible CPG products using Uptop's AI scanner for bonus points 

5. Play prediction games to win extra points on correct game outcomes and player stats 

6. Refer friends to earn points per successful signup 

Points can be redeemed immediately for tickets, merchandise, or experiences. Each transaction settles on Avalanche, providing fast finality and transparent accounting. 

Detroit's loyal fan base, corporate sponsors, and strong local business community make it an ideal market for the open-loop design. The platform connects neighborhood businesses with national sponsors in the same ecosystem. Various businesses have committed to participation, and early registration is tracking 50% faster than Cleveland's pre-launch period.   

Technical Infrastructure 

Avalanche's blockchain infrastructure is an enabler of point issuance, badge (NFT) minting, and partner settlements, all processed in fractions of a second while keeping the user experience simple. 

"When technology works invisibly, you know it's effective," says Jake Cvengros, BD Manager, Consumer Enterprise at Ava Labs. "Cavs Rewards proved the concept. Pistons Rewards demonstrates scalability."

Future Plans 

Uptop will be growing with additional franchises across basketball, soccer,hockey, and more. The company continues to craft a vision around the Uptop Network—a dedicated network for high-throughput loyalty and rewards transactions and cross-brand interoperability.  

Getting Started 

• Fans: Pre-register at Pistons.com/Rewards for 3,000 bonus points and opening-night ticket eligibility 

• Businesses: Apply to join the partner marketplace  

• Developers (coming soon): Explore Uptop's API documentation and Avalanche tools 

About Uptop

Uptop is a fan engagement super-app designed to boost and monetize digital interaction 24/7, year-round. Fans can earn branded points through shopping at partner locations, in-venue spend, by playing prediction games, or through time spent engaging with team short-form content.  Accumulated points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards such as tickets, merchandise, unique collectibles, and special experiences. For teams, Uptop offers new revenue opportunities through app placements and naming rights, delivers unparalleled data insights into fan spending habits, and serves as a powerful tool to keep fans engaged with the team's digital properties throughout the year. Uptop is built on the Avalanche Network.  

About Avalanche Blockchain Network

Avalanche is a high-performance blockchain platform designed for builders who need to scale. Engineered with a revolutionary three-part Layer 1 (L1) architecture, Avalanche is anchored by its Avalanche Consensus Mechanism, ensuring near-instant finality for transactions. The platform also features an open-source Layer 0 (L0) framework, enabling the seamless creation of interoperable Layer 1 blockchains with high throughput on both public and private networks.Supported by a global community of developers and validators, Avalanche offers a fast, low-cost environment for building the next generation of decentralized applications (dApps). With its unique blend of speed, flexibility, and scalability, Avalanche is the preferred choice for innovators pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology.

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