Cryptocurrency billionaire twins invest in ninth-tier club Real Bedford as they look to replicate Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney's achievements with Wrexham

The acquisition of RBFC by podcaster Peter McCormack in 2021 marked a pivotal moment for the club, currently in the ninth tier of English football. With aspirations to elevate RBFC to the prestigious Premier League, McCormack's vision has now received a substantial boost with the Winklevoss twins stepping in as co-owners post-investment. Their vision closely resembles that of Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney's vision at Wrexham who are striving to qualify for the English top flight within the next few years after stellar performances in League Two this season.

Gemini commenced its sponsorship of RBFC in January 2022, marking the beginning of a transformative partnership. The infusion of capital from Winklevoss Capital will fuel various initiatives aimed at advancing the club's infrastructure and community engagement efforts. Plans include the development of a state-of-the-art training centre, the launch of a football academy to nurture emerging talent, and continued support for girls' and youth football programs. Furthermore, RBFC disclosed intentions to establish a "Bitcoin treasury" to underpin the club's long-term objectives, signalling a pioneering approach to financial management in the sports industry.

“We share in Peter’s deep conviction in Bitcoin and its ability to supercharge RBFC’s quest to make it into the Premier League," he said.

His brother added: "We’re not just investing in a football club. We’re investing in a dream to bring Premier League football to Bedford."

Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss famously clashed with Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg over the origins of the social media platform during their time at Harvard University. The ensuing legal battle culminated in a settlement that awarded the twins $20 million (£16 million) in cash and shares of Facebook.

Beyond their legal endeavours, the Winklevoss brothers have amassed considerable wealth through their extensive Bitcoin holdings and the establishment of Gemini, a cryptocurrency exchange platform akin to a stock exchange for digital assets. However, their journey with Gemini has encountered challenges, including a recent directive to refund over $1 billion (£800 million) to customers due to issues with a discontinued lending program and regulatory fines for lapses in safety practices.

At present, RBFC holds a prominent position atop the Spartan South Midlands Football League Premier Division, setting the stage for a promising future under the stewardship of its visionary owners.