Paris Saint-Germain's latest star acquisition Lionel Messi's fee will include some of the French club's cryptocurrency fan tokens.
The Argentine left La Liga giants Barcelona and signed a two-year contract with PSG, with an option for a third year, on Tuesday.
The club said on Thursday that the tokens were included in Messi's 'welcome package', which media reports have estimated at $29-35 million. The club did not disclose the proportion of tokens in the package, but said Messi had received a 'large number'.
Fan tokens are a type of cryptocurrency that allow holders to vote on mostly minor decisions related to their clubs. Among the clubs to launch tokens this year are Premier League champions Manchester City and Italy's AC Milan. Messi's former club Barcelona launched one last year.
Like bitcoin and other digital currencies, fan tokens can be traded on exchanges. They also have a tendency to experience price swings, leading some regulators to issue warnings to investors about digital assets.
Still, several high profile business and entertainment figures have backed crypto assets, with Tesla boss Elon Musk, Twitter founder Jack Dorsey and rapper Jay-Z among those to have shown support for bitcoin.
PSG said there had been high volume of trading in its fan tokens after reports of Messi's move to the club emerged.
Trading volumes exceeded $1.2 billion in the days preceding the move, it said.
"We have been able to engage with a new global audience, creating a significant digital revenue stream," said Marc Armstrong, PSG's chief partnerships officer.
PSG's token, which has a market capitalisation of about $52 million, soared over 130 per cent in just five days amid speculation over Messi's arrival to an all-time high of over $60 on Tuesday. They came back down to about $40, according to the CoinMarketCap website.
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Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi poses alongside Argentina star player Lionel Messi. -
Lionel Messi gestures to fans outside the PSG stadium. -
Lionel Messi poses with a PSG shirt sporting his name and number at the Parc des Princes. -
Lionel Messi poses with his jersey with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, left, and PSG sports director Leonardo. -
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and new signing Lionel Messi during the press conference at Parc des Princes. -
Lionel Messi during the press conference. -
Lionel Messi at his PSG unveiling. -
Lionel Messi addresses the media. -
A supporter wears a jersey bearing Lionel Messi's PSG shirt and number. -
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. -
PSG "Ultras" supporters hold a banner outside the Parc des Princes stadium to welcome Lionel Messi, -
Lionel Messi arrives for his press conference to unveil him as a PSG player. -
PSG fans gather for the official presentation of Argentina striker Lionel Messi at the Parc des Princes. -
Lionel Messi arrives wearing a mask. -
Lionel Messi has joined PSG on a two-year contract. -
Supporters cheer as Argentina football player Lionel Messi attends his unveiling press conference at the French football club Paris Saint-Germain's Parc des Princes stadium. -
Supporters cheer as Lionel Messi attends his unveiling press conference. -
Paris Saint-Germain supporters gather outside the Parc des Princes stadium. -
Paris Saint-Germain supporters gather outside the Parc des Princes before Lionel Messi's press conference. -
PSG fans outside the stadium. -
Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi salutes supporters gathered outside the Parc des Princes. -
PSG "Ultras" supporters hold a banner outside the Parc des Princes stadium to welcome Lionel Messi, -
Lionel Messi walks out on to the pitch after the press conference. -
Lionel Messi and president of PSG Nasser Al-Khelaifi pose with children on the pitch after the press conference. -
Paris St Germain's Lionel Messi and president Nasser Al-Khelaifi with fans outside the stadium after the press conference.
