Dubai Regulator Tightens Crypto Marketing Rules

VARA releases new regulation for virtual asset marketing

Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) just released new regulations that will shake up the crypto marketing industry - especially for influencers.

Starting October 1, 2024, if you’re promoting ANY virtual assets in Dubai, you’ll need to follow these strict rules:

1. “Fair, clear, and not misleading” is the new standard. Forget the hype! Marketing content MUST include all risks, and no exaggerations are allowed. Those memes, videos, or posts need to be balanced and real.

2. Paid partnerships need to be declared! VARA is done with influencers secretly pushing projects without disclosing sponsorships. You need to know when it’s “sponsored content”.

3. Social media groups with more than 50 people are no longer “private".

4. Dubai has completely banned marketing of privacy coins, like Monero.

5. Non-monetary incentives will be tightly regulated. No more FOMO tactics to lure people into buying or signing up for crypto products.

VARA has created blueprint for responsible marketing - focus on educational content, make your content clear and balanced, and emphasize long-term value.

As someone who has been in the crypto space for 10+ years, co-founded multiple companies, and many of you know me as "superstar influencer" 😎 , VARA’s new marketing guidelines totally make sense.

VARA wants a new way for influencers to communicate.

I’m often seen as an authority when I discuss blockchain, digital assets, or the future of crypto markets.

Under VARA guidelines, any content I produce will be subject to much stricter scrutiny, and that’s a big opportunity.

Requirement for "fair, clear, and not misleading" marketing forces me to improve my conent - and I see this as a positive evolution.

It will be challenging to publish content, but I believe it will ultimately benefit whole community and influencers.

By promoting transparency and full disclosure, we’re building stronger trust between creators and their audiences.

Yes, this also means I need to be more careful with how I frame my posts - what’s the casual conversation in the rest of the world can now be considered marketing in Dubai.

I often share provocative insights, opinions, and reviews - many of you love it ❤️, some of you hate it 🤣 .

VARAs rules will require me to make sure my audiences can easily distinguish between what’s educational and what’s sponsored.

Dubai is the center of crypto industry, and with influencers playing such a big role in the space here.

I plan to evolve with these regulations, keeping my audience informed while being compliant.

I can lead by example in this space, setting new standards for responsible influencer marketing.

I will firmly comply with VARAs new guidance.

If you want to read VARAs marketing guidance, write "VARA PDF" in comments, and I'll DM it to you.

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