Barcelona has signed a controversial sponsorship deal with blockchain company ZKP, who openly supports controversial figure Andrew Tate despite his ongoing legal battles.
FC Barcelona has signed a sponsorship deal with the relatively new blockchain company ZKP, or Zero Knowledge Proof, a move that has drawn surprise and criticism due to ZKP’s public association and platforming of alleged human and child trafficker Andrew Tate.
According to a report from Football España, FC Barcelona has penned a new sponsorship agreement with the blockchain company ZKP, or Zero Knowledge Proof, a move that is drawing significant scrutiny due to the company’s controversial public associations.
The deal names ZKP as Barcelona’s global blockchain partner until 2028 and grants them access to the club’s digital advertising assets across various communication channels.
The partnership has raised eyebrows due to the recent origin of the blockchain company, which was only formed in 2022 and became a public company in 2025.
Furthermore, the company’s official Twitter/X account, which holds a low follower count of just 141, currently features a pinned tweet that platforms controversial figure Andrew Tate, despite the fact that Barcelona publicly espouses values of equality and feminism.
Tate is currently awaiting trial in Romania on charges including human trafficking, child trafficking, rape, and sex with a minor. He also faces 21 charges in the United Kingdom for rape, actual bodily harm, and human trafficking.
ZKP, which describes itself as being based on ‘decentralised AI,’ used their pinned tweet to promote Tate, stating his view on AI and blockchain is “the future.” The tweet is titled: “Top G Agrees: Zero Knowledge Is the Future!💪”
ZKP is set to launch its blockchain on November 27th and currently lists only two official partners: Barcelona and NRL-side The Dolphins.