FC Barcelona is facing scrutiny after announcing a $22 million sponsorship agreement over three years with Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP), a cryptocurrency company based in Samoa.
The firm, which is relatively new to the market, has become the center of attention following questions about its legitimacy and background.
Former club board member Xavier Vilajoana described the partnership to the Financial Times as a reflection of financial “desperation”.
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He pointed to several “red flags” surrounding the company. He later posted on X that ZKP’s account had just 33 followers when the partnership was revealed.
Information about ZKP remains limited. The company appears to have started its social media presence and released its white paper in November. Its website offers few details about ownership or funding sources but claims the business operates under Samoan law.
The Financial Times noted that it could not verify public details for some members of ZKP’s leadership team, including Jeff Wilck, who is listed as head of blockchain on the company’s website.
In response, FC Barcelona issued a statement clarifying its position. The club emphasized that it “has no connection whatsoever with the company’s token”, and that discussions about a potential token did not occur during sponsorship negotiations.
The statement further noted that the club is not responsible for or involved in the token’s creation, sale, or technology.
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