European soccer club FC Barcelona has come under criticism after signing a $22 million, three-year global sponsorship deal with little-known crypto firm Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP), based in the Pacific island of Samoa.
Xavier Vilajoana, a former board member of the club, told the Financial Times that striking a deal with the crypto startup was a sign of financial “desperation,” pointing to “red flags” in the company’s background and calling the decision “incredibly concerning.”
In a tweet, Vilajoana pointed to how ZKP’s X account had only 33 followers at the time of the official announcement of the partnership, and he criticized the company’s alleged association with former kickboxer and controversial influencer Andrew Tate….
Nov 28 2025
