Google ends cryptocurrency ad ban — but only for certain kinds of ads
Google is ending its sweeping ban on cryptocurrency-related advertising and plans to allow regulated crypto exchanges to buy ads in the United States and Japan. The new policy starts in October. Google’s original restrictions, which it announced in March and rolled out in June, were intended to protect consumers and included initial coin offerings (ICOs), wallets and trading advice, which are still not allowed. While the cryptocurrency boom has produced both excitement and wealth, it has also spawned fraud and high-profile scams, as regulation struggles to catch up with a fast-moving space. At various points earlier this year, Google, Facebook, Twitter and Snap all cracked down on crypto-related advertising to stop bad actors, though their initial hard-line approaches prevented even legitimate businesses from buying ads.
