Barcelona’s Crypto Partnership Raises Red Flags as ZKP’s Opaque Structure Draws Scrutiny

FC Barcelona’s three-year deal with blockchain firm ZKP has sparked concerns among fans and financial experts. The partnership, billed as a breakthrough in crypto sponsorships, lacks transparency about ZKP’s leadership, funding sources, or operational history. Critics argue the club may be endorsing risky investments without proper disclosures.

ZKP’s website offers cryptographic jargon but no identifiable executives or verifiable $100 million funding claims. The company’s legal registration in Samoa—a jurisdiction with lax financial oversight—further fuels skepticism. Its inaugural X post announcing the Barça deal marked its first public appearance, raising questions about credibility.

Token auctions launched last week compound worries. The club’s global fanbase could misinterpret the partnership as an endorsement of ZKP’s products, potentially exposing retail investors to unvetted crypto assets. Barcelona’s MOVE mirrors a growing trend of sports entities leveraging crypto hype, often with inadequate consumer safeguards.