FC Barcelona Faces Criticism for ZKP Sponsorship Deal

Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP), a Samoa-registered crypto startup, became FC Barcelona’s “Official Cryptographic Protocol Partner” in November 2025 with a $22 million sponsorship deal.

The deal faces criticism over ZKP’s lack of transparency and ties to Andrew Tate, raising concerns about consumer protection and potential reputational damage to FC Barcelona.

FC Barcelona’s recent partnership with Samoa-registered crypto startup ZKP was announced on November 14, 2025, raising scrutiny over transparency issues and reputational risks.

The partnership is drawing attention due to ZKP’s pseudonymous leadership and links to controversial figures, leading to concerns about potential fan exploitation.

Barcelona Secures $22 Million Deal With ZKP

FC Barcelona announced a three-year, $22 million sponsorship deal with ZKP. The company is a crypto startup registered in Samoa with minimal public information on its leadership.

ZKP, which lacks institutional transparency, drew criticism for its association with controversial influencer Andrew Tate. The deal was announced via Barcelona’s official Twitter account in November 2025.

Barcelona Draws Criticism for ZKP Links

FC Barcelona quickly distanced itself from ZKP’s newly launched crypto token, ensuring it was not part of the sponsorship. The lack of transparency has raised reputational concerns.

The sponsorship has not shown clear financial benefits for Barcelona yet and led to skepticism about ZKP’s legitimacy. Key stakeholders have criticized Barcelona’s vetting process, with Xavier Vilajoana, Former Director, FC Barcelona noting that “The club must explain how it approved this deal with such an opaque company”.

Past Sponsorships Reveal Crypto Risks in Sports

Past crypto sponsorships faced similar controversies, often resulting in reputational damage. FC Barcelona’s response to the situation mirrors actions taken by other clubs in similar predicaments.

Market reactions remain speculative as ZKP’s token is too new for conclusive analysis. The situation highlights the broader issue of crypto transparency in sports sponsorship agreements.