Circle's USDC account posts photo of DJ Khaled, drawing backlash over2018 SEC settlement
Circle's USDC X account posted a photo of DJ Khaled in a Chelsea shirt, prompting backlash over his 2018 SEC settlement over undisclosed ICO promotion.
Why it matters
Neither outlet described any confirmed commercial arrangement, funding or formal role for Khaled at Circle, so the immediate significance is limited to brand exposure for USDC and a reputational question for Circle about associating with a figure who settled with the SEC in 2018. The episode also shows how quickly a marketing post can be pulled into questions about past conduct by an audience that tracks them.
Key facts
Circle's USDC X account posted a photo of DJ Khaled wearing a Chelsea jersey with 'USDC by Circle' across the chest, captioned 'Another one'.
Reported by Decrypt
Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire reposted the image with the message 'DJ Khaled welcome to team USDC'.
Reported by Protos
Neither post announces a sponsorship, an ambassador role or any money.
Reported by Decrypt
Circle is Chelsea FC's official front-of-shirt sponsor.
Reported by Protos
Chelsea announced a Roc Nation deal in May that included DJ Khaled as a promotional stunt.
Reported by Decrypt
Replies under the post drew attention to Khaled's history of undisclosed promotion of crypto projects.
Reported by Protos
A November 2018 SEC press release says Khaled, real name Khaled Khaled, settled with the SEC alongside boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. after failing to disclose payments received for promoting ICO investments.
Reported by Protos
The SEC's first charges relating to touting ICOs claim Khaled was paid $50,000 from Centra Tech, a $25 million ICO whose co-founders received prison sentences of eight years and one year.
50,000 USDReported by Protos
What happened
Circle's official USDC account posted a photo of music producer DJ Khaled wearing a Chelsea FC jersey with 'USDC by Circle' across the chest, captioned 'Another one', his signature catchphrase, on October 5, 2026. About four hours later Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire reposted it with the message 'DJ Khaled welcome to team USDC'. Neither post announces a sponsorship, an ambassador role or any payment, and Decrypt reported the exchange reads as a cheeky nod rather than a commercial deal. Circle is Chelsea's front-of-shirt sponsor, while Khaled appears with the club through a separate Roc Nation deal announced in May that Decrypt described as a promotional stunt. The reaction on X was largely negative, with accounts pointing to Khaled's record, which Protos reported includes an undisclosed payment to promote the $25 million Centra Tech ICO. Protos also noted Khaled's own X feed does not mention any USDC partnership. What remains unclear is whether Circle has any formal commercial arrangement with Khaled; neither outlet reported one.
How the story developed
- Update
USDC account posts photo of DJ Khaled in Chelsea shirt
Caption reads 'Another one', a reference to his catchphrase.
- First report
First report by Protos
Circle’s new USDC ambassador? DJ Khaled
- Official statement
Jeremy Allaire replies 'DJ Khaled welcome to team USDC'
About four hours after the original post, according to Decrypt.
- Update
Backlash on X over Khaled's 2018 SEC settlement
Accounts replied pointing to the SEC's touting charges and undisclosed ICO payments.
- Independent corroboration
Independently corroborated by Decrypt
Circle Welcomes DJ Khaled to 'Team USDC' and Crypto Twitter Is Furious
How coverage built up
Independent sources over time, counted the way the consensus panel counts them: a republication of a wire story does not move the line.
- 6 Oct 2026, 17:24 UTC: Protos — 1 independent source, 1 reports
- 6 Oct 2026, 22:16 UTC: Decrypt — 2 independent sources, 2 reports
Affected entities
Also mentioned: Bybit, Mastercard, Visa
Original sources
| Publisher | Report | Role | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protos Crypto media | Circle’s new USDC ambassador? DJ Khaled | Original | |
| Decrypt Crypto media | Circle Welcomes DJ Khaled to 'Team USDC' and Crypto Twitter Is Furious | Independent |
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