X lifts cryptocurrency and gambling bans for paid promotions
X removed cryptocurrency from its list of prohibited industries for paid promotions, reversing a ban in place since June 2024. The policy shift also lifted restrictions on gambling promotions while adding pharmaceuticals, tobacco, weapons, and weight loss products to the prohibited list. Crypto analyst DeFi Ignas observed the change on February 16, noting crypto was still listed as prohibited on that date.
The update opens a channel for influencers to monetize crypto content under a new disclosure framework. The policy change creates a distinct separation between paid partnerships and formal advertising, allowing restricted content on one channel to be permitted through the other. The update took effect immediately, as reported by BeInCrypto.
X rolled out a Paid Partnership framework requiring influencers to label all compensated content with a visible “Paid Partnership” tag. Nikita Bier, X’s Head of Product, stated the feature is designed to restore trust and help users comply with regulations like FTC endorsement rules. “Undisclosed promotions hurt the integrity of the product and lead people to distrust the content they read on X,” Bier said.
Under the updated rules, influencers are responsible for ensuring posts comply with applicable laws. Automated warnings trigger for non-disclosure, and repeated violations risk account suspension. X’s policy distinguishes between Paid Partnerships and its formal X Ads program.
The crypto community’s response was divided. Analyst Benjamin Cowen warned that many crypto influencers would need to change business models that involved promoting projects they were paid to endorse. A user named Rune questioned whether the platform can distinguish between organic enthusiasm and paid shilling, predicting a “massive ban wave” on Crypto Twitter.