Ronaldinho iconic footballer considers comeback in cryptocurrency realm undeterred by previous scandals
Football icon Ronaldinho Gaúcho, popularly known as Ronaldinho, recently hinted at his return to the cryptocurrency world. However, his controversial history in the industry has raised doubts among many.
On June 23, Ronaldinho posted on X, expressing his belief that it is time for cryptocurrency to become mainstream and invited his audience to join him. However, this announcement was met with criticism from crypto enthusiasts, including ZachXBT, an on-chain investigator.
ZachXBT questioned Ronaldinho’s motives, suggesting that his recent post could be a sign of financial troubles. He reminded the public of Ronaldinho’s past involvement in controversial crypto projects and accused him of participating in various pump-and-dump schemes.
Accompanying ZachXBT’s post was a screenshot showcasing several crypto projects that Ronaldinho had previously promoted, such as World Cup Inu (WCI), Atari Chain, Lord Society NFT, and the well-known meme coin Baby Doge.
Ronaldinho’s previous venture into the crypto market was marred by controversy, most notably the “18kRonaldinho” scandal. This scandal allegedly involved a $61 million pyramid scheme that falsely promised daily returns of 2% on crypto investments. Ronaldinho vehemently denied any association with the company during a Brazilian congressional hearing, stating that his name and image were used without his consent.
Ronaldinho is not the only celebrity to be involved in the crypto world. In April 2021, renowned rapper Eminem made headlines with the launch of a series of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on Nifty Gateway. Eminem also collaborated with Snoop Dogg on an NFT-themed music video for their song “From the D to the LBC.”
Other celebrities, including UFC star Conor McGregor and tennis player Maria Sharapova, have also shown interest in cryptocurrency. McGregor partnered with Tiger.Trade, a crypto trading platform, while Sharapova, along with personalities like Gal Gadot, Bruce Willis, and Justin Bieber, has expressed her curiosity about the industry.
More recently, the crypto community witnessed a surge of celebrity-backed meme coins, which quickly plummeted, resulting in losses for investors. Media personality Caitlyn Jenner and Nigerian musician David “Davido” Adeleke were among the celebrities affected by this phenomenon.
Overall, celebrities’ involvement in the crypto scene has been met with both excitement and skepticism, and it remains to be seen how their influence will shape the industry’s future.
