Barcelona's Crypto Deal Raises Eyebrows

FC Barcelona, a top soccer club, has made headlines for a surprising partnership. They signed a $22 million deal with a crypto company called Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP), based in Samoa. Critics are questioning this move, calling it a sign of financial trouble for the club. A former club board member, Xavier Vilajoana, was vocal about his concerns. He pointed out that ZKP is a small, unknown company. He also mentioned that ZKP's social media presence is minimal, with only 33 followers on X (formerly Twitter) when the deal was announced. Vilajoana found it odd that ZKP is linked to Andrew Tate, a controversial influencer. FC Barcelona is in deep financial trouble, with a debt of about $542 million. This deal might be a way for them to get quick money. However, it's raising questions about the club's judgment. ZKP is a new company, and there's little information about its management or funding. It's also unclear how the company plans to use the technology it's promoting. The club has tried to distance itself from ZKP's crypto token. They said they have no involvement in the token's issuance or management. But critics are still skeptical. They argue that the club should be more careful about who they partner with, especially when it's a matter of public image. Harry Halpin, CEO of a blockchain-privacy firm, shared his thoughts. He said that ZKP's sudden appearance is suspicious. He also pointed out that there are only a few experts in the world who truly understand the technology ZKP is claiming to use. Most of these experts already work for well-known companies. ZKP has responded to the criticism. They said they don't need traditional PR strategies. They claim to be self-funded and have deployed their own technology. But this hasn't convinced everyone. Many are still waiting for more information about the company and its plans. Crypto sponsorships are becoming common in European soccer. Many clubs have partnered with crypto companies in recent years. But this deal with ZKP is different. It's raising more questions than answers.