UK authorities freeze $13.5M in Sorare Premier League crypto probe

UK authorities froze $13.5 million in cash in January 2025 after a Westminster Magistrates’ Court order, targeting funds linked to Sorare, a French fantasy-football platform that has spent millions as a sponsor of Premier League clubs.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) began investigating Sorare in late 2024 after reports surfaced that some of its crypto-linked transactions may have been used to move funds tied to suspected money laundering or fraud. Sorare, valued at over $4 billion in 2022, has become one of football’s most visible crypto brands, partnering with clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City to launch digital collectibles tied to player performance. The NCA’s move suggests authorities are scrutinizing whether crypto sponsorship money has been used to disguise illicit flows, a concern regulators have raised across sports and entertainment sectors.

The frozen funds represent a small fraction of Sorare’s reported cash reserves but signal a broader crackdown by UK law enforcement on crypto-linked financial activity. In 2023, the UK government passed the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, giving authorities wider powers to seize crypto assets without immediate criminal charges. Sorare has not been accused of wrongdoing and says it cooperates fully with authorities, but the probe highlights growing tensions between crypto firms and regulators over transparency and due diligence in sports sponsorships.

Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for how crypto-linked sponsorships are vetted in future, especially as clubs increasingly accept crypto payments or partnerships. The NCA has not indicated whether criminal charges will follow, but the freeze suggests officials believe the funds may have been linked to financial crime. For now, the case underscores how quickly crypto’s role in mainstream sports is colliding with stricter enforcement, leaving clubs, sponsors, and regulators to navigate uncharted territory.