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- Circle and CEO Jeremy Allaire welcomed DJ Khaled to team USDC on social media without disclosing any paid sponsorship or formal agreement.
- The social media posts featured a photo of Khaled wearing a Chelsea FC shirt carrying USDC by Circle branding.
- Critics responded by highlighting Khaled's 2018 SEC settlement for promoting an ICO without disclosing his compensation.
Circle’s USDC account and CEO Jeremy Allaire welcomed DJ Khaled to “team USDC” in social media posts that drew criticism over the producer’s previous crypto promotion. The posts did not announce a paid sponsorship, ambassador role or other formal agreement with Khaled.
Circle Welcomes Khaled to “Team USDC”
The USDC account posted a photo of Khaled on Oct. 5 wearing a Chelsea FC shirt carrying “USDC by Circle” branding. Allaire later shared the image and addressed Khaled directly. The account stated:
“@djkhaled welcome to team @USDC”
Neither post disclosed a commercial arrangement between Circle and Khaled. Circle became Chelsea’s front-of-shirt partner for the 2026/27 season, placing USDC branding on the club’s shirts.
Criticism Revives 2018 SEC Settlement
Some X users responded by pointing to Khaled’s promotion of Centra Tech’s ICO. The SEC settled charges against him in November 2018 for promoting the offering without disclosing compensation.
According to the SEC, Centra paid Khaled $50,000 for a 2017 social media promotion. He agreed to pay $50,000 in disgorgement, a $100,000 penalty and interest without admitting or denying the findings.
The SEC did not accuse Khaled of participating in Centra’s alleged fraud. Regulators separately charged the company’s founders over claims tied to the ICO.
No Formal Circle Partnership Disclosed
Khaled already had a promotional connection to Chelsea through the club’s partnership with Roc Nation Sports International. Circle later became the club’s front-of-shirt partner, creating an overlap between Khaled, Chelsea and USDC branding.
That overlap does not establish that Circle hired Khaled or appointed him as a USDC ambassador. The available announcements do not disclose a separate partnership between the company and the producer.
Khaled’s 2018 settlement included a two-year restriction on receiving compensation for promoting securities. That restriction has expired, and Circle’s posts do not disclose any payment or securities promotion involving Khaled.
