FC Barcelona announced a three-year sponsorship agreement with blockchain startup Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) earlier in November. The blockchain was named the club’s official blockchain technology partner. The Samoan-registered company has a minimal digital footprint and limited public information on its operations, raising questions about transparency and due diligence.
Critics highlighted concerns over potential financial risk for fans, with the partnership coinciding with controversial influencer promotions and the launch of ZKP’s first coin auction. Former Barcelona officials and industry analysts described the information gap as alarming, especially given the club’s current financial strain and reliance on digital asset initiatives. Nevertheless, Barcelona later clarified that it has no connection to ZKP’s FCB token.
The agreement reflects a broader trend of crypto sponsorships in European football, which accounted for nearly half of all digital asset partnerships in the 2024/25 season. While many clubs have faced challenges in similar deals, Barcelona’s rapid move into a largely opaque blockchain partnership underscores the growing tension between revenue generation and investor protection.
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