UK Regulator Bans Coinbase Ads Over Cost-of-Living Messaging

In brief

• The ASA upheld 35 complaints against Coinbase’s August 2024 campaign featuring satirical ads about housing costs, living expenses, and wage stagnation.
• The regulator ruled the ads irresponsibly implied crypto could solve financial hardship by pairing economic concerns with “IF EVERYTHING’S FINE DON’T CHANGE ANYTHING” next to Coinbase’s logo.
• Coinbase defended the campaign as obvious satire with no calls to action, citing growing consumer crypto awareness.