YouTube Introduces Stricter Rules for Crypto and NFT Content
YouTube will enforce new rules on crypto, NFT, and Web3 content starting November 17, 2025. The platform now classifies “online gambling with digital goods that have real money value” as gambling. This update will affect creators who publish videos about blockchain, NFTs, and Web3 games.
Gameplay that involves staking, betting, or trading digital items for real money is now viewed as gambling. Creators may face video removals, age restrictions, or strikes if their content shows players winning or losing assets with real-world value. The policy states, “If your video depicts, promotes, or facilitates gameplay where players can win, lose, stake, or wager assets with real-world value, it’s now considered gambling content.”
Crackdown on Token-Based Promotions and NFT-Related Content
YouTube will also restrict videos that promote token or NFT projects. Tutorials showing how to mint NFTs, connect wallets, or buy tokens might be flagged. Videos advertising NFT drops or marketplaces could violate YouTube’s ad and gambling policies.
Additionally, YouTube will apply age restrictions on videos featuring casino-style games, like slots or roulette, regardless of real money use. This follows concerns about misleading promotions and crypto scams on the platform. For instance, in late October 2025, a deepfake livestream impersonating Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang promoted a crypto scam. The fake event attracted about 95,000 viewers, far surpassing the real event’s 12,000 viewers.
YouTube Offers a Second Chance for Banned Creators
YouTube also announced a new feature allowing previously banned creators to reapply and start new channels. “We know many terminated creators deserve a second chance,” YouTube said. The new process lets creators launch fresh channels but without their old videos, subscribers, or monetization. This option is separate from the usual appeal system.
The policy updates come amid political and legal pressures on YouTube. Recently, the company agreed to a $24.5 million settlement after suspending former President Donald Trump’s account following the January 6 Capitol riots.
In addition to the crypto crackdown, YouTube plans to detect fake AI-generated content to improve platform integrity.
