Chelsea FC gets a stablecoin sponsor after UK FCA warning to clubs
Circle, issuer of the USDC stablecoin, will sponsor Chelsea FC, with Circle and USDC branding appearing on player jerseys in the 2026/2027 season. The deal comes after the UK Financial Conduct Authority warned Premier League clubs about “questionable sponsorship deals” involving unauthorized financial firms, including crypto companies, used to target fans. FCA officials said clubs should not let unauthorized firms exploit fan loyalty to promote potentially risky products. Circle’s UK entity has been FCA-authorized for certain financial services since 2018, and USDC is legal to use in the UK, but Circle said the stablecoin is not issued or regulated under UK law. The announcement highlights growing scrutiny of crypto sponsorships in football.
