Circle, the issuer behind the USDC stablecoin, will become Chelsea Football Club’s new jersey sponsor beginning in the 2026/2027 season. The multi-year partnership will feature Circle’s branding and USDC on player kits, marking the company’s expansion into sports sponsorships.
The announcement follows a warning from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in late 2025, when the regulator cautioned Premier League clubs against entering sponsorship agreements with unauthorized financial firms, including crypto companies. The FCA highlighted concerns that such deals could expose millions of fans to potentially unsuitable financial products. Lucy Castledine, the FCA’s director of consumer investments, stated that clubs should not allow unregulated firms to leverage fan loyalty for questionable offerings.
Circle UK Trading Limited, Circle’s UK subsidiary, has been authorized by the FCA since 2018 to provide certain regulated financial services to UK residents. While USDC is legal for use in the UK, Circle noted that the stablecoin is issued by regulated affiliates outside the country and is not regulated under UK law. The partnership underscores Circle’s push into mainstream branding despite ongoing regulatory uncertainty around digital assets in the UK.
The deal also arrives as UK lawmakers advance plans to establish a formal regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. Circle did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the FCA declined to provide additional details on its prior communications with clubs.
The sponsorship follows a broader trend of crypto firms leveraging sports partnerships to enhance visibility, despite heightened regulatory scrutiny in Europe and the UK.
