Ronaldinho Gaúcho has become the latest soccer legend to promote the Solana token Water Coin (WATER) on Instagram, following a similar post from Lionel Messi’s X account the previous day.
On July 9, Ronaldinho shared an Instagram story with his 76.6 million followers, featuring a photo of him with Water Coin’s mascot peeking over his shoulder, tagging the token’s Instagram account. The immediate impact was a significant rally in WATER’s price, surging 38.8% to $0.0012 within an hour of the post. However, the enthusiasm was short-lived as the price later dropped below $0.00083, according to CoinGecko data. This represents a 71% decline from its all-time high on June 26. Despite the volatility, WATER has seen a 158% increase in value since Messi’s Instagram post on June 8, which featured a similar picture to Ronaldinho’s.
Water Coin claims to focus on raising awareness for water-related issues, including supporting sustainable projects that prevent deforestation and aid water distribution in Africa. Its website outlines a roadmap that envisions forming celebrity partnerships as a precursor to becoming a charity-focused environmental token to achieve its mission.
The WATER Foundation asserts that only 5% of the 88.88 billion WATER tokens were distributed to its team. However, skepticism has emerged within the crypto community. YouTuber Ajay Kashyap is among the critics who have flagged WATER as a potential pump-and-dump token. Crypto commentator Ponga echoed these concerns, advising caution to investors.
Ronaldinho’s endorsement comes amidst a backdrop of controversy. The Brazilian national recently appeared before a Brazilian parliamentary committee inquiry in August over an alleged $61 million crypto pyramid scheme that misused his likeness. The scheme, known as “18kRonaldinho,” promised investors 2% daily returns and used images of the retired soccer star in its marketing materials. Ronaldinho has denied any involvement in the scheme, claiming he never partnered with the project and was also a victim, as his likeness was used without his consent.
The involvement of high-profile athletes like Ronaldinho and Messi in promoting cryptocurrencies is a growing trend, reflecting the increasing intersection of sports and digital assets. These endorsements often bring significant attention to the promoted tokens, influencing their market performance. However, the volatility observed in WATER’s price highlights the speculative nature of such investments and underscores the need for investors to exercise caution.
Water Coin’s mission to address water-related issues aligns with broader environmental and social goals, potentially adding a layer of ethical appeal to the token. The plan to engage celebrities to boost awareness and support for these causes is a strategic move, leveraging their massive followings to amplify the message. Nonetheless, the criticisms and warnings from industry experts remind us of the importance of due diligence and the risks associated with investing in new and unproven digital assets.
As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, the role of celebrity endorsements will likely remain a double-edged sword. While they can bring substantial visibility and legitimacy to projects, they can also attract scrutiny and skepticism, especially when the projects fail to deliver on their promises. For investors, the key is to balance the excitement generated by celebrity promotions with a critical evaluation of the token’s fundamentals and the transparency of its operations.
Ronaldinho’s promotion of Water Coin has certainly stirred interest and movement in the token’s market performance. However, the fluctuating price and existing criticisms serve as a reminder of the complex and risky nature of cryptocurrency investments. As Water Coin progresses on its roadmap and aims to fulfil its mission, the crypto community will be watching closely to see whether it can sustain its momentum and deliver tangible benefits for the environmental causes it champions.