Chelsea to Feature USDC on Jerseys in 2026-27 Season as Hong Kong Rules Raise Concerns

Chelsea will print “USDC” on player jerseys for the 2026-27 season, but fans and retailers are worried that wearing or selling the shirts in Hong Kong could breach local law and amount to illegal promotion. According to Odaily, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority said it would not comment on individual cases, but rules prohibit the active promotion or advertising of unauthorized stablecoin activities in Hong Kong. The authority said whether an action amounts to active marketing to the public depends on the specific circumstances, including the language used in promotional materials, whether the target audience includes Hong Kong residents, whether a Hong Kong domain is used, and whether there is a detailed promotion plan for the activity. It added that publishers and livestreamers who only repost content created by others may receive a special exemption if they meet the conditions set out in the rules and take relevant facts and circumstances into account. Circle, the issuer of USDC, previously said it had become Chelsea’s new front-of-shirt sponsor for the Premier League club, but did not disclose the amount of the deal.