Kraken Lands Sponsorship Deal With Williams Racing Despite U.S. Regulatory Crackdown

The F1 team recently lost its most prominent driver, Nicholas Latifi, who brought in multiple sponsorship deals.

AccessTimeIconMar 28, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. UTC
Updated May 9, 2023 at 4:11 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Formula 1 team Williams Racing signed U.S. crypto exchange Kraken as a sponsor after losing one of its most prominent drivers, Nicholas Latifi, who reportedly brought in a large amount of sponsorship fees.

Kraken’s logo will be displayed on the team’s race cars and there will also be a non-fungible token (NFT) experience, the companies said Tuesday.

  • Morgan Stanley May Allow Brokers to Pitch Bitcoin ETFs; 'Buy Bitcoin' Sign Auctioned for Over $1M
    01:55
    Morgan Stanley May Allow Brokers to Pitch Bitcoin ETFs; 'Buy Bitcoin' Sign Auctioned for Over $1M
  • Is Bitcoin a Safe-Haven Asset?
    00:57
    Is Bitcoin a Safe-Haven Asset?
  • Crypto Progress Is Not the Same as the Beginning of the Internet: Kara Swisher
    21:07
    Crypto Progress Is Not the Same as the Beginning of the Internet: Kara Swisher
  • How Saga's Chainlets Automate Layer 1s
    01:20
    How Saga's Chainlets Automate Layer 1s
  • The partnership comes as U.S.-based crypto exchanges face not just ongoing scrutiny from traders but also accelerating regulatory actions after the collapse of the FTX crypto exchange and three banks that had links to the industry.

    Last month Kraken was forced to shut its staking-as-a-service platform for U.S. customers and pay a $30 million fine to settle charges from the Securities and Exchanges Commission, which sued the exchange for offering unregistered securities. Other exchanges, including Coinbase and Binance, are also grappling with investigations by U.S. regulators.

    While crypto sponsorships and partnerships slowed toward the end of 2022, roiled by the so-called crypto winter, some exchanges have nevertheless landed new partnerships. In January, Coinbase announced it became a premium partner of German soccer club Borussia Dortmund.

    Edited by Sheldon Reback.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

    Helene Braun

    Helene is a New York-based reporter covering Wall Street, the rise of the spot bitcoin ETFs and crypto exchanges. She is also the co-host of CoinDesk's Markets Daily show. Helene is a graduate of New York University's business and economic reporting program and has appeared on CBS News, YahooFinance and Nasdaq TradeTalks. She holds BTC and ETH.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.