YouTube to Restrict Crypto and NFT Promotions Under New Policy

YouTube is rolling out stricter rules for crypto and NFT content, a move that could seriously impact Web3 creators. Beginning November 17, the Google-owned platform will treat “online gambling with digital goods that have real money value” as gambling. According to an X user Space (EditsBySpace), YouTube’s new rules will hit creators who make videos about blockchain, NFTs, and Web3 games the hardest. The platform now sees any gameplay that involves staking, betting, or trading digital items for money as gambling.

This means creators could get their videos taken down, age-restricted, or even face strikes if their content shows players winning or losing assets that have real-world value. “If your video depicts, promotes, or facilitates gameplay where players can win, lose, stake, or wager assets with real-world value, it’s now considered gambling content, expect takedowns, strikes, or age restrictions,” the new policy notes.

Aside from gambling-style games, YouTube will also crack down on sponsored videos connected to token or NFT projects. Tutorials that show how to mint NFTs, connect wallets, or buy tokens could get flagged under the new rules. Also, videos promoting NFT drops or marketplaces might break YouTube’s ad and gambling policies. In short, even if a creator isn’t running a gambling site, they could still get penalized if their content involves digital assets with real money value.

YouTube will also start putting age limits on videos that show casino-style games like slots or roulette, even if no real money is used. This move comes after growing worries about fake or misleading promotions on the platform. Recently, a fake Nvidia keynote stream featuring an AI-generated version of CEO Jensen Huang tricked thousands of viewers into watching a crypto scam.

At one point, the fake livestream had around 95,000 viewers — far more than the real Nvidia event, which had just 12,000. Alongside the crackdown, YouTube announced a separate feature allowing previously banned creators to reapply and create new channels.

“We know many terminated creators deserve a second chance,” YouTube stated. This new process will let creators start fresh, though without their previous videos, subscribers, or monetization. The platform clarified that this option differs from its standard appeal system. The update comes as YouTube faces political pressure and legal scrutiny. The company recently agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit related to suspending the U.S.President Donald Trump’s account after the January 6 Capitol riots.

YouTube’s new rules show that big tech is getting tougher on crypto content. This move could change how NFT creators, Web3 gamers, and influencers share their work, pushing them to be more careful about what they post. Besides crypto and NFT related content, YouTube also moved to detect fake AI-generated content on its platform.

Terron Gold