FC Barcelona has triggered a wave of criticism after signing a sponsorship agreement with Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP), a mysterious cryptocurrency startup registered in Samoa with an anonymous team.
FC Barcelona Sparks Backlash with Anonymous Samoa Crypto Sponsorship Deal
1 December 2025 - 18:20 CET
By Stu Clelland
The deal, announced in November, names ZKP as the club's official blockchain technology partner, the Financial Times reported. However, the lack of transparency regarding the firm's leadership and funding has led to accusations that the debt-ridden club is prioritizing revenue over due diligence.
Phantom partner
Critics have pointed out significant red flags regarding the new sponsor. ZKP's website offers no information on its founders or the source of its claimed $100mn financing. The laws of Samoa govern its terms of service, and the company explicitly dismisses transparency concerns.
"Everyone asks, 'Who's behind this?', as if knowing the names would make the code stronger," the company's website states. "We're real... but we're not playing the PR game."
The firm's social media presence is equally sparse. Its X account had only dozens of followers when the deal was announced and follows only three accounts: FC Barcelona, Bitcoin and controversial influencer Andrew Tate.
Financial desperation
The partnership comes as Barcelona grapples with severe financial constraints. The club reported net debt of €469mn ($492mn) in its latest accounts, along with more than €900mn ($945mn) in borrowing related to its delayed stadium renovation.
Xavier Vilajoana, a former board director planning to run for the club's presidency, described the deal as a sign of "desperation" that raises "red flags" about the club's decision-making process.
The club has struggled with crypto ventures in the past. Last year, it booked a €141mn ($148mn) writedown after investors failed to make payments for a stake in Barca Vision, its Web3 subsidiary.
Immediate friction
Tensions between the partners are already visible. After ZKP held an auction for 200 million "zero knowledge proof coins" on Thursday, Barcelona released a statement clarifying it had "no connection whatsoever" to the token and "no responsibility" for its issuance.
Further clouding the picture, ZKP's press release attributed quotes to a "Jeff Wick", a name bearing a striking resemblance to Ethereum co-founder Jeffrey Wilcke. The Financial Times was unable to verify the individual's identity.
