Fintech unicorn Bitpanda has been announced as the official crypto trading partner of Bayern Munich.
The Austrian-based company has become a platinum partner of the reigning Bundesliga champions. Existing platinum partnerships of the footballing giant include Allianz (stadium sponsor), Konami and Visit Rwanda among others.
The partnership was visible at Bayern’s home game against Hoffenheim on 12 January and will be visible at all future Munich home matches at the Allianz Arena.
Founded in 2014, Bitpanda provides a platform for trading digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, commodities and stocks. The company is valued at over $4b and has around 2.7 million customers.
Eric Demuth, Bitpanda CEO, commented: “Bayern Munich and Bitpanda are united by a strong winning mentality and the desire to improve every day. For us, these shared values are the perfect basis for a long-term partnership.”
In recent years, football clubs around the world have created long-lasting relationships with companies in the crypto industry. For example, Bayern’s rival Borussia Dortmund announced Coinbase as its premium partner last year, in a deal which included crypto education sessions for its employees.
Jan-Christian Dreesen, FC Bayern CEO, stated: “Bitpanda stands for quality and a long-term perspective. Like FC Bayern, Bitpanda is also the market leader in its field. We want to achieve our goals together in the future.”
Last year, the firm announced a partnership with Visa, joining Visa’s Partner Connect programme.
Previously the trading platform has made similar deals in the world of sports, including a partnership with the Italian Rugby Federation in 2023; a sponsorship agreement with tennis’ Madrid Open in 2022; and a premium sponsorship of the World Padel Tour, also in 2022.
Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Bitpanda deputy CEO, said: “Bayern Munich are the record champions. Bitpanda is the market leader in Europe. Both together in a partnership is a perfect match.”
