Barcelona Distances Itself From Sponsor’s Cryptocurrency Amid Fan Concerns
Barcelona has moved to reassure supporters that it has no involvement in a new cryptocurrency launched by its latest commercial partner, after criticism that the deal could mislead fans into investing in an unfamiliar digital asset.
The club signed a three-year sponsorship agreement in mid-November with Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP), a little-known crypto project whose arrival sparked questions from supporters. Shortly after the deal was announced, ZKP unveiled its own digital coin—prompting fears that the partnership could be seen as an endorsement of the token.
In a statement published on its website, Barcelona stressed that the cryptocurrency had nothing to do with the club.
“The club has no connection, responsibility, or participation in the creation, management, or promotion of this token,” the statement read, adding that Barcelona does not use the firm’s technology in any way.
Very little verified information exists about ZKP. The organisation describes itself as a project developed by a “pseudonymous collective” operating across multiple jurisdictions, without disclosing identities or locations. The company also recently announced a sponsorship deal with Australian rugby league side the Dolphins.
University of Sussex professor Carol Alexander said Barcelona’s global profile gives significant exposure to emerging crypto outfits, but warned that fans face “serious risks” if they buy into opaque digital projects.
“Sponsorship naturally signals credibility, even when the underlying organisation lacks transparency,” she told the BBC. She advised supporters to ask who controls a cryptocurrency, where the documentation can be found, and what protection exists if something goes wrong. “With ZKP, none of these questions have clear answers,” she added.
Reports suggest the company previously listed an office in Apia, the capital of Samoa, before removing that detail. Its name also references a cryptographic privacy technology widely used in blockchain networks.
The partnership comes as Barcelona continues to grapple with long-running financial difficulties, including efforts to raise revenue and ease debts. Football finance analyst Kieran Maguire said the club’s financial pressure may have driven it to prioritise income over caution.
“Barcelona have been in a fragile financial position, so this looks like a case of taking the money first and assessing the implications later,” he said. He noted that crypto companies often seek mainstream recognition to legitimise their products, and aligning with a major club “helps them achieve that”.
Former Barcelona youth player Xavier Vilajoana, who is expected to run for the club presidency, publicly urged the board to explain how the agreement was formed. He also questioned why ZKP follows only three accounts on X, including that of influencer Andrew Tate.
The BBC has requested further comment from Barcelona.
