- Crypto and gambling removed from X’s prohibited paid partnership list
- Mandatory “Paid Partnership” labels now required for influencers
- EU and UK markets still enforce strict advertising compliance
X, formerly Twitter, appears to have reset parts of its paid partnerships policy, removing crypto and gambling from its standard list of prohibited industries. The update follows confusion triggered by a February revision that briefly categorized gambling as banned for disclosed promotional content. That earlier move effectively blocked influencers from promoting betting operators through organic paid posts.
The latest revision, updated Sunday, no longer references crypto or gambling in the prohibited index. For the crypto sector, that signals a reopening of promotional pathways on one of the largest global social platforms. But this isn’t deregulation. It’s restructuring.
Mandatory Disclosure Now Front and Center
Coinciding with the policy change, X introduced a mandatory “Paid Partnership” label for compensated organic posts. The feature requires creators to formally disclose when they are promoting third-party products or services in exchange for payment, affiliate commissions, gifted products, or formal brand agreements.
Under X’s definition, a paid partnership exists whenever compensation or incentives are involved. The platform has framed this reform as a transparency upgrade rather than a relaxation of oversight. Undisclosed promotions are viewed as undermining trust, and enforcement mechanisms remain in place.
UK and EU Rules Still Apply
While crypto and gambling are no longer globally prohibited categories, regional compliance remains strict. In the UK, creators must include all applicable disclosures to meet standards set by regulators such as the Committee of Advertising Practices and the Competition and Markets Authority. Failure to properly disclose commercial intent can trigger enforcement action.
In the European Union, crypto and gambling promotions remain heavily regulated. Gambling is still categorized under adult advertising frameworks and requires individual campaign approval. Licensing, age restrictions, and financial promotion laws continue to dictate what can and cannot be promoted within specific jurisdictions.
Transparency Expands as X Builds Financial Features
The policy shift comes as X continues building out its broader commercial and financial ecosystem, including anticipated features such as X Money. As the platform integrates deeper financial tools, maintaining regulatory alignment becomes critical.
However, the reopening of crypto promotions does not signal a free-for-all. Jurisdictional compliance is non-negotiable, and political scrutiny remains intense. With countries debating social media restrictions and youth protection policies, the gate may be open for crypto advertising, but the perimeter is tightly monitored.
