Professional soccer players in the Premier League might receive payment in cryptocurrency given the development of blockchain technology.
In the world of football, cryptocurrency is making a significant impact, transforming the way player transfers and salaries are handled.
From niche experiments to wider acceptance, the use of digital currencies in football transactions is becoming more mainstream. Major deals in football, Formula 1, and stadium naming rights Stateside by Crypto.com are a testament to this growing trend.
One of the early adopters in this space was Spanish footballer David Barral, who was the first player to be transferred using cryptocurrency in 2021. Sao Paulo FC followed suit the following year, paying $6m for Giuliano Galoppo through the blockchain. These transactions signal a shift towards digital currencies replacing traditional payments for player transfers and salaries.
The practice of crypto sponsorships and partnerships in football is also on the rise. Major partnerships between crypto firms and football clubs or leagues are becoming common, such as Bitget sponsoring La Liga, B2BINPAY sponsoring Athletic Club Bilbao, and Arsenal's early deal with CashBet Coin. These collaborations increase crypto adoption and trust in the sport ecosystem.
Innovative financial technology providers are also collaborating with football clubs to enable seamless crypto payments and related financial services, enhancing the efficiency and appeal of crypto transactions in football operations.
Looking ahead, key market signals suggest that crypto exchanges are likely to become major front-of-shirt buyers, as the Premier League's ban on betting companies purchasing this inventory takes effect in the 2026/27 season. Reports indicate that Premier League players could potentially be paid in cryptocurrency, facilitated by blockchain technology.
The recent sporting season saw nearly two thirds of new crypto sponsorship deals in football, with Coinbase, OKX, and Gate.io being major players in the world of sports sponsorship. Over £400 million was spent on deals and sponsorships in the 2024-25 sporting season, according to a report. The report also states that more clubs and players are starting to settle transfer fees directly using digital currencies like Bitcoin or stablecoins.
Formula 1 and its teams' annual income from crypto exchanges amounts to $174m. The SportQuake report indicates a 20% increase in crypto and blockchain brand sponsorship of sports organizations, amounting to over £400m in the most recent sporting season.
Matt House, the chief of SportQuake, stated that "the crypto winter of 2022/23 seems a long time ago" as crypto sports sponsorship spend bounces back towards all-time highs. A new report by B2BinPay suggests that this could be the future of football transfers.
In summary, the use of cryptocurrency in football transfers and salaries is moving from niche experiments to wider acceptance and integration supported by major sponsorships, tech solutions, and evolving financial products. This trajectory suggests increasing use of crypto payments and salaries in football in the near future, supported by innovations in fintech and private credit markets closely tied to the sport.
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