by InTrieste
U.S. Triestina Calcio 1918, one of Italy’s oldest professional soccer clubs, announced on Friday that House of Doge, the corporate arm of the Dogecoin Foundation, has become its largest shareholder. The investment was made through House of Doge’s subsidiary, Dogecoin Ventures, Inc., marking the first time a European football club has brought a cryptocurrency commercialization entity directly into its ownership structure.
Dogecoin, a decentralized digital currency created in 2013 by software engineers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer, began as a parody of the cryptocurrency boom but has since grown into a widely recognized asset. Its popularity has been fueled by an active online community and endorsements from high-profile figures such as Elon Musk, whose companies Tesla and SpaceX have accepted Dogecoin payments.
House of Doge, launched to expand Dogecoin’s presence beyond digital finance, has focused on partnerships, tokenization projects, and cultural initiatives. Its acquisition of a major stake in Triestina represents its most significant foray into European sports to date, linking the club’s history with the global cryptocurrency community.
“This investment is about much more than football,” Marco Margiotta, the chief executive of House of Doge, said in a statement. “It’s about connecting Dogecoin’s global community with one of Europe’s most storied clubs and proving that digital assets can drive real-world value, culture, and passion.” He added that the partnership aims to strengthen ties between Triestina and the city of Trieste while creating opportunities to unite local supporters with Dogecoin enthusiasts worldwide.
In a separate statement, House of Doge described sport as “one of the most powerful platforms for accelerating Dogecoin adoption,” adding that the Triestina deal “sets the stage for Dogecoin to be integrated into everyday culture—from payments to partnerships to global fan experiences.”
As part of the restructuring, the club’s governing board will be reconstituted, and a new president will be appointed to align with its revised strategic direction.
Founded in 1918, U.S. Triestina Calcio has a long but often turbulent history in Italian football. Its new partnership with House of Doge underscores the growing convergence between digital finance and traditional sports institutions, a trend that has already reshaped sponsorship and branding across the industry but has rarely extended into direct club ownership.
