The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned football clubs about the risks of partnering with crypto companies that are not authorized to provide financial services. According to the regulator, such partnerships may lead to legal issues, increase money laundering risks, and damage the trust of supporters.
The FCA sent letters to Premier League clubs and other football organizations, expressing concerns about existing sponsorship agreements and urging them to conduct more thorough due diligence on both current and prospective sponsors. The regulator also warned that customers using unregulated companies may lose all of their money and will likely have no access to statutory consumer protection mechanisms.
Similar cases have occurred before. One of the most notable examples is OmegaPro, a project that was heavily promoted by well-known footballers and celebrities. Promotional materials featured names such as Kaká, Ronaldinho, Luis Figo, Iker Casillas, Roberto Carlos, Carles Puyol, Fernando Hierro, and others. The project promised exceptionally high returns and, according to U.S. authorities, operated as a crypto investment scheme. In 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against the founder and a promoter of OmegaPro in connection with a $650 million global Forex and cryptocurrency investment scheme.
This issue is also relevant to Kazakhstan. Since May 1, 2026, new regulations governing the market for unsecured digital assets have been in force. Licensing of digital asset exchange operators and registration of relevant platforms are now carried out through the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The key takeaway is simple: the involvement of a well-known public figure in advertising does not mean a project is trustworthy. Before investing, it is essential to verify the company's license, registration, potential risks, and understand where the promised returns come from.
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