UK FCA Warns Premier League Clubs to Vet Crypto Partners to Avoid Breaches

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority brought crypto-asset marketing under its financial promotions regime in October 2023 and issued 146 alerts in the first 24 hours. Exposure on Premier League shirts and pitchside advertising could transfer fans' trust in club badges to trading platforms. If a provider is unauthorized, fans may have no access to complaint or compensation protections, while clubs could face legal, money-laundering and reputational risks.

On June 3, 2026, the FCA confirmed that it had written to Premier League and other football clubs, urging them to conduct ongoing checks on financial-services sponsors before signing or renewing contracts. It said it would act on concerns already identified. Wolverhampton Wanderers' sponsor for the 2024–25 season, LAK3, is on the FCA's warning list, while Chelsea partner BingX and Manchester City partner OKX do not appear on the authorization register. The sponsorship values were not disclosed.