Crypto and NFTs ads are restricted on Meta and restricted on Google. Written permission needed for exchanges and trading platforms (spot, margin, futures), crypto lending and borrowing, wallets offering buy/sell/swap/staking, mining software, and investment solicitation including affiliate or aggregator sites. The phrases most likely to cause trouble include "ICO", "airdrop", "stake and earn X% APY".
Restricted, needs prior written permission plus a recognised licence
Sources: transparency.meta.com · transparency.meta.com
Restricted, certification in approved countries only
Sources: support.google.com · support.google.com · support.google.com
15 phrases that often lead to rejection, limited delivery or regulator action. High means the phrase or claim is named in a policy or ruling. Medium means it's our reading of a rule.
| Phrase | Why it's risky | Rule or source | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICO / presale / token sale | Banned on Meta and Google | Meta: Prohibited financial products · Google: Cryptocurrencies transparency.meta.com · support.google.com | High |
| airdrop | Counts as marketing under VARA rules | Dubai VARA marketing rules (2024) cms.law | High |
| stake and earn X% APY | Needs Meta permission. Google bans crypto loans and liquidity pools | Meta: Cryptocurrency · Google: Cryptocurrencies transparency.meta.com · support.google.com | High |
| crypto loan / borrow against BTC | Prohibited on Google, permission needed on Meta | Google: Cryptocurrencies · Meta: Cryptocurrency support.google.com · transparency.meta.com | High |
| DeFi yield / liquidity pool | Prohibited on Google | Google: Cryptocurrencies support.google.com | High |
| crypto signals / 100x gem | Prohibited on Google | Google: Cryptocurrencies support.google.com | High |
| it's time to buy Bitcoin | ASA Luno ruling: no risk warning, exploits inexperience | ASA ruling: Luno (2021) asa.org.uk | High |
| buy crypto in minutes / start with £10 | ASA Kraken ruling: implied investing is easy | ASA ruling: Kraken (2021) asa.org.uk | High |
| guaranteed / risk-free crypto | Scam rules | Meta: Prohibited commercial practices · Google: Unreliable claims transparency.meta.com · support.google.com | High |
| currency / securities / custodian / depository (describing crypto) | Barred terms in India's ASCI VDA guidelines | ASCI crypto ad guidelines (India) khaitanco.com | High |
| refer a friend bonus | Banned in UK crypto promotions from 8 Oct 2023 | FCA crypto promotion rules (2023) fca.org.uk | High |
| regulated / safe as a bank (when unregulated) | ASA requires stating that crypto is unregulated | ASA ruling: Kraken (2021) · ASA ruling: Arsenal fan token (2021) asa.org.uk · asa.org.uk | High |
| free tokens (hiding exchange-account requirement) | ASA Arsenal ruling: omitted material info | ASA ruling: Arsenal fan token (2021) asa.org.uk | High |
| privacy coin / anonymous | VARA bans anonymity-enhanced crypto marketing | Dubai VARA marketing rules (2024) cms.law | High |
| celebrity X backs this coin | Celebrity bait, SEC anti-touting disclosure | Meta: Prohibited commercial practices · SEC v Kim Kardashian (2022) transparency.meta.com · sec.gov | High |
Before and after examples. Swap the bracketed parts for your real details.
It's time to buy Bitcoin!
Buy and sell Bitcoin on an FCA-registered platform. Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest.
Earn 12% APY staking, risk-free
Learn how staking works and its risks. (Run only with Meta permission and where lawful.)
Join our presale before launch
Read our educational guide to how tokens are issued.
Get free crypto now
[Promo terms in full], requires an exchange account, value can go down.
Best crypto signals: 100x guaranteed
Market news and education. Not investment advice.
Facebook bans crypto, ICO and binary options ads
Google bans crypto ads (ICOs, exchanges, wallets, trading advice)
Facebook allows crypto ads from pre-approved advertisers, ICOs and binary options still banned
Google allows certified regulated exchanges in US and Japan
Google US exchanges and wallets certification (FinCEN MSB plus state, or bank), earlier certifications revoked
Meta expands accepted licences from 3 to 27 and publishes the list
Google opens exchanges to IL and JP, and Canada for exchanges
UK FCA crypto promotion rules: 24h cooling-off, refer-a-friend ban, risk warning, ASA remit ends for qualifying cryptoassets
Google allows US crypto coin trusts with certification
Dubai VARA marketing regulations: only VARA-licensed VASPs may market, fines up to AED 10M
Google UK exchanges and wallets with FCA registration
Google allows South Africa (FSCA)
Google allows UAE (FSRA, VARA or DFSA)
Google EU requires MiCA CASP licence, FR country licences accepted until 30 Jun 2026
Google allows Canada (FINTRAC MSB)
Google allows Argentina (CNV VASP registry)
The adInstagram post for EMAX (EthereumMax) without disclosing $250k payment
Outcome$1.26M ($1M penalty plus ~$260k disgorgement), 3-year ban on promoting crypto securities
LessonDisclose the nature, source and amount of compensation
The adLondon Underground poster: 'If you're seeing Bitcoin on the Underground, it's time to buy'
OutcomeUpheld (CAP 3.1, 3.3, 14.4)
LessonState that value can fall, that crypto is unregulated, and don't imply it's easy
The adLondon Bridge digital poster: 'Buy 50+ crypto in minutes. Get started with as little as £10', warning shown for 1 second
OutcomeUpheld
LessonFlash warnings are not enough
The adFacebook post with players: 'Download the Socios app to get your token'
OutcomeUpheld, ruling dated 22 Dec 2021
LessonFan tokens are crypto, omitted risk and exchange-account info misleads
Google: FinCEN MSB plus state money transmitter or bank. Meta: FinCEN MSB or NYDFS BitLicense
FCA rules since 8 Oct 2023, Google needs FCA registration (since Jan 2025), Meta needs FCA authorisation
MiCA Art. 7: marketing must be identifiable, 'fair, clear and not misleading', consistent with the white paper, and state it 'has not been reviewed or approved by any competent authority'. Google requires CASP licence
VARA rules from Oct 2024, Google accepts FSRA, VARA or DFSA, Meta accepts ADGM FSRA, CBUAE, DFSA or VARA
ASCI VDA guidelines from 1 Apr 2022 (disclaimer: 'Crypto products and NFTs are unregulated and can be highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from such transactions.'), not a Google-approved crypto country, no India licence on Meta's list
Runs in your browser. Nothing you paste is sent or stored.
This tool is a pre-launch screen, not legal advice. Meta and Google do not publish banned-word lists, so each flag is a risk signal tied to a published rule, regulator ruling or court case. Policies change often. Data last checked 5 October 2026.