Crypto's Super Bowl Moment Shrinks to Single Coinbase Ad

In brief

• Only Coinbase ran a major crypto ad at this year’s Super Bowl, marking a retreat from 2022’s multi-company “Crypto Bowl.”
• The ad used Backstreet Boys karaoke-style lyrics instead of a QR-code promo, with CEO Brian Armstrong calling it “unique,” while online reactions were sharply divided.
• Experts say the pullback reflects post-crash caution, contrasting today’s compliance-focused messaging with the celebrity-heavy crypto ads seen before the 2022 market collapse.