Current English Premier League titleholders Manchester City have announced a multimillion-dollar deal with the world’s second-largest exchange by spot volume, OKX.
Welcome to @okx, Official Cryptocurrency Partner of Manchester City.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 4, 2022
Game On! 🙌
Manchester Embraces Crypto
Thus far in 2022, we’ve seen several crypto-related announcements emanating from England’s second-largest city, including the champion football team’s development of its own Etihad stadium in the metaverse. This followed news that cross-town rivals Manchester United had last month inked a deal with Tezos for a reported US$27 million.
We are pleased to welcome OKX as an Official Partner of Manchester City today as they look to venture into the world of sports. The new partnership aligns our shared values of innovation, drive for success and being at the cutting edge of our respective industries. Their broad and inclusive approach to targeting diverse audiences resonates with our approach. We look forward to working together throughout the partnership.
Roel De Vries, chief operating officer, Manchester City Football Group
The sponsorship announcement by Manchester City represents OKX’s first foray into the world of sport and entertainment, with the official press release reporting that the partnership will include both the men’s and women’s teams, as well as the club’s esports operations. Â
Oh yeah. OKX did it. Proudly to be an OKX employee. Best place in the world to trade #Bitcoin pic.twitter.com/5AkhbRrDAg
— Alex (@rubio_45) March 4, 2022
OKX Has a Userbase of 20m+ in 180+ Markets
OKX enjoys a userbase of over 20 million people in more than 180 markets, making it one of the world’s biggest crypto exchanges. In its official announcement of the partnership, when asked “Why Manchester City”, OKX noted that:
Neither our team nor Manchester City is a stranger to fierce competition. We both know firsthand the challenges that present themselves on the way to the top. With closely aligned values, we’re excited to field our new partner’s colours as they take on English and European football’s elite.
OKX announcement
As part of the deal, OKX’s global customer base will apparently enjoy access to exclusive experiences at Etihad, as well as future innovation projects. Jay Hao, CEO of OKX, cited inclusion and community as being core to the partnership, adding:
Football and crypto share something important: they are for everyone, they create inclusivity within society. We [OKX] are entering the Premier League for the first time as City’s official crypto partner to celebrate this community spirit in the world of football because it’s something we both share.
Jay Hao, CEO, OKX
Whatever one’s thoughts on Manchester City or OKX, one thing is undeniable – digital assets are increasingly crossing the chasm into the mainstream. Billions of eyeballs tune in for Premier League fixtures each week and sponsorships such as this serve only to accelerate the inevitable process of mainstream adoption.