Aston Villa announce crypto bank sponsor deal for pre-season tour

Xapo Bank, which is registered in Gibraltar, has become the club’s newest official partner with the sponsorship of this month’s Stateside trip part of the agreement.

Villa will play three matches across the Atlantic as part of their preparations for the new season, starting with a clash against German club Eintracht Frankfurt in Louisville on July 26.

In a statement, Xapo said the deal was part of its growth strategy in the UK and would allow it to reach Villa’s “global fanbase of 358 million people”.

The bank’s branding will be prominent at Villa Park on matchdays and feature on dugout headrests.

It is the second new commercial partnership Villa have announced this week, after they also struck a deal with technology firm Ebury.

Villa chief commercial officer, Adrian Filby, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Xapo, an organisation whose vision for success aligns with Aston Villa’s long-term strategic thinking. 

They are at the leading edge of Bitcoin, and we look forward to enjoying a close and fruitful relationship where both parties can benefit from growth and exposure.”

Xapo chief executive Seamus Rocca said: “Aston Villa is a club on the rise; ambitious and unafraid to challenge the status quo. And that is the same mentality we have here at Xapo. 

“Like Villa, we’re not chasing fleeting headlines. We see Bitcoin as grounded in undeniable performance, built for the future. 

“We’re focused on playing the long game and building something that lasts. Together, we’re bringing the promise of Bitcoin to a global stage, one fan at a time.”