FC Barcelona issued a public statement distancing itself from the startup Zero Knowledge Proof and the associated token project. The club said it is not connected to token issuance and that such a provision was not included in the agreement.

Club statement and context

According to the club update, concerns raised by supporters and industry observers about the project’s transparency prompted clarification from Barcelona’s management. The statement specifies that the club did not participate in issuing the token and rejected any implication of involvement in its distribution.

Timeline and market reaction

The partnership with ZKP was announced on 14.11., after which reports emerged about daily auctions of 200 million ZKP. Those reports and limited public information about the startup triggered critical responses from fans and analysts.

Former executives’ remarks

Former club executives described the agreement as a sign of financial desperation, linking the deal to the club’s broader commercial strategy. Their comments added to the negative sentiment and intensified scrutiny of the partnership’s terms.

What remains unclear

Barcelona’s release does not provide additional details about the nature of its commercial relationship with the startup, beyond denying involvement in token issuance. Questions persist about the startup’s corporate disclosures and the mechanics of the reported auctions.

The club’s statement marks an official effort to separate its brand from the token project and to address immediate reputational concerns raised by supporters and former officials.