Chelsea FC Partners with Authorized Crypto Firm Circle Amid Regulatory Fears
Circle's USDC stablecoin sponsorship deal with Chelsea FC has sparked controversy over regulatory gaps in the UK. The agreement, worth an estimated 33.6 million to 50 million pounds, places 'USDC by CIRCLE' on men's, women's, and academy shirts for the 2026/27 season.
Circle holds an FCA Electronic Money Institution license No. 900480, granted in 2018, but its stablecoin USDC is not regulated under UK laws. This has created a 14-month window until October 2027 when the new crypto asset regime takes effect.
The deal was finalized despite the Financial Conduct Authority's warning to Premier League clubs in May 2026 about 'unauthorised financial firms' targeting unwitting fans through sponsorship deals. Circle, however, is authorized and has a history of collecting regulatory credentials, including licenses from four continents and over 46 US state-level licenses.