Curious to know which top professional athletes are investing in cryptocurrency?
If so, then you are in the right place.
Here are 10 Top professional athletes who have invested in crypto.
Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has also stepped into the cryptocurrency space. Reports indicate that he has invested approximately $10 million in various digital assets, representing around 2.5% of his estimated $450 million net worth. Messi’s involvement shows that even elite athletes are looking beyond traditional investments to diversify their wealth in the digital space.
Serena Williams, through her venture capital firm Serena Ventures, has invested in several blockchain and crypto startups. Notably, she led a $5 million funding round for Lolli, a Bitcoin rewards platform. Her firm has also invested in Coinbase, one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges, reflecting her belief in the potential of blockchain to bring financial empowerment to communities worldwide.
LeBron James has partnered with Crypto.com to launch initiatives providing students at his
I PROMISE School access to blockchain education. Beyond philanthropy, his venture firm, SpringHill Company, has invested in various tech and blockchain startups, demonstrating his commitment to supporting innovation in the digital space.
In 2020, NFL player Russell Okung made headlines by converting half of his $13 million salary into Bitcoin. While the Carolina Panthers confirmed that all salaries are paid in U.S. dollars, Okung’s move was facilitated through a partnership with the Bitcoin payment platform Zap, allowing him to receive his salary in Bitcoin. This bold step underscored his belief in Bitcoin as the future of finance.
Cristiano Ronaldo has made headlines for his association with the CR7 memecoin, a cryptocurrency project that aimed to leverage his global brand. The token initially experienced a surge in value, reflecting the market’s excitement around celebrity-backed digital assets, though it later faced volatility. Ronaldo’s move highlights how top footballers are exploring new financial opportunities through blockchain and crypto ventures.
Tom Brady has been a prominent figure in the crypto space, partnering with the now-defunct FTX exchange in 2021. Reports indicate that Brady earned around $55 million for his role in promoting the platform over three years. Additionally, he received equity in the company and reportedly held a significant amount of FTX’s native token, FTT. Despite the platform’s collapse, Brady’s involvement highlighted the growing intersection of sports and cryptocurrency.
NBA players Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala have been vocal supporters of cryptocurrency. In partnership with Cash App, both athletes converted a portion of their salaries into Bitcoin, expressing their belief in the digital currency’s future. Thompson has stated that he invests in Bitcoin because he believes it is “the future of money.”
MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani joined FTX as a global ambassador, receiving compensation in cryptocurrency along with an equity stake in the company. His involvement highlighted the growing acceptance of digital assets in the sports industry.
NFL quarterback Trevor Lawrence made headlines by converting part of his signing bonus into cryptocurrency. He partnered with FTX’s investment app Blockfolio, marking one of the first deals where a signing bonus was fully paid in cryptocurrency. Lawrence’s investment portfolio includes mainstream cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
In 2021, NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. announced that he would be partnering with Cash App to receive his full salary in Bitcoin. This move was part of a broader trend among athletes embracing cryptocurrency as a legitimate form of payment and investment.
These athletes prove that being great in sports can go hand in hand with making smart financial moves.
By investing in cryptocurrency, NFTs, and blockchain, they’re finding new ways to grow their wealth and plan for the future.
It’s a reminder that smart financial moves aren’t limited to certain people but anyone willing to think ahead.
