Mykhailo Mudryk is back on the pitch after serving a doping suspension, and his return is giving crypto exchange BingX a fresh wave of visibility. The Ukrainian winger, who signed a sponsorship deal with BingX earlier this year, made his first appearance for Chelsea FC this week in a match that also marked the debut of the club's new crypto-themed kit. The developments come as regulators in Europe and the U.S. continue to wrestle with how to oversee the growing intersection of digital assets and sports marketing.
Mudryk back, BingX in the spotlight
Mudryk's suspension, handed down in early 2026 after a failed test for a banned substance, sidelined him for four months. He returned to training last week and played about 20 minutes in Chelsea's friendly against Borussia Dortmund on August 2. The match drew extra attention because of his sponsorship with BingX, a Singapore-based exchange that has been aggressively signing athletes to build brand recognition in Europe. The exchange's logo appeared on Mudryk's training gear and was visible during post-match interviews.
Chelsea's crypto-themed kit
Chelsea FC unveiled a limited-edition kit this week that incorporates blockchain-inspired design elements, including a pattern resembling a distributed ledger. The kit is part of a broader partnership with a Web3 platform, though the club has not disclosed financial terms. The move puts Chelsea alongside a growing list of top-tier soccer clubs — including Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan — that have embraced crypto sponsorships or fan tokens. For BingX, the kit launch provides another touchpoint with Chelsea's global fanbase.
Regulatory questions linger
The deeper crypto gets into sports, the more regulators are paying attention. The UK's Advertising Standards Authority has already flagged several crypto ads in football for being misleading. The European Securities and Markets Authority is expected to issue new guidelines on crypto sponsorship disclosures later this year. Mudryk's own case — a doping ban that coincided with his BingX deal — has also raised questions about how exchanges vet athletes and what happens to sponsorship money when a player is suspended. Neither BingX nor Chelsea have commented on the terms of the agreement.
For now, Mudryk is focused on regaining match fitness. Chelsea's next Premier League fixture is August 16 against Aston Villa. Whether BingX extends its deal beyond this season will likely depend on how the regulatory environment shifts — and on Mudryk staying on the right side of the rules.
