When it comes to crypto financial promotion UK, the rules around advertising cryptocurrency products to UK residents are among the strictest in the world. Also known as crypto marketing regulations, this framework is enforced by the FCA, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, which treats most crypto promotions as high-risk financial products. If you’re seeing ads for crypto airdrops, yield farms, or meme coins on social media, chances are they’re breaking the law — unless they’re approved by the FCA.
The HM Treasury, the UK government body that sets crypto policy updated its stance in 2025 to close loopholes that let unregulated projects target retail investors. Now, any firm promoting crypto to UK residents must be FCA-authorized, include clear risk warnings, and avoid misleading language like "guaranteed returns" or "risk-free profit." Even influencers can be held liable if they promote unapproved crypto products. The stablecoin rules UK, a key part of the new framework, require issuers to hold 100% reserves in approved assets and submit to regular audits — meaning tokens like USDT or USDC can’t be marketed as "safe" unless they meet these standards.
Most crypto ads you see online — especially those pushing new tokens, airdrops, or trading bots — are illegal under these rules. That’s why you won’t find Binance or Coinbase running ads for their trading pairs on UK TV or Instagram. But you will find them promoting their regulated services, like custody or fiat on-ramps, with proper disclaimers. The gap between what’s legal and what’s everywhere online is huge. And that’s exactly where scams thrive.
This collection of posts dives into the real-world impact of these rules. You’ll find reviews of UK-compliant exchanges like Xcalibra and COREDAX, breakdowns of how HM Treasury’s policies affect everyday traders, and deep dives into projects that got caught breaking the rules. You’ll also see how crypto ads in the UK differ from those in Nigeria, Indonesia, or Vietnam — and why some platforms simply can’t operate here at all. Whether you’re trying to spot a scam, understand your rights as a UK investor, or just figure out why your favorite crypto influencer disappeared overnight, the answers are here — no fluff, no hype, just what the law says and how it plays out in practice.
23 November
The UK's FCA now bans most crypto advertising to the public, requiring personalized risk warnings, 24-hour cooling-off periods, and strict audience vetting. Here's what the rules mean for investors and firms.
