Arsenal’s red card for breaking cryptocurrency advertising rules

In August 2021, Arsenal Football Club released Arsenal Fan Tokens, a form of cryptocurrency which gives the purchaser the right to vote on minor club issues. Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual payment system which uses encryption for transactions designed to be safe and secure, and is typically not regulated by a central authority such as a bank or government.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) subsequently ruled two adverts for the Arsenal Fan Tokens broke advertising rules and cited three reasons:

Reason 1: Fan’s lack of experience of cryptocurrencies

The ASA believes the adverts took advantage of fans’ lack of experience with cryptocurrency. The adverts were held to be misleading because it was not made clear the Fan Tokens were a form of cryptocurrency. Crucially, it was not clear the tokens could only be purchased after the customer bought another type of cryptocurrency.

Reason 2: Misleading

According to the ASA, the adverts were misleading because the financial risk involved with investment in cryptocurrency was not sufficiently highlighted. Furthermore, they did not explain any profit made from the Fan Tokens would be subject to Capital Gains Tax.

Reason 3: Trivialising crypto-assets

Finally, the ASA ruled the adverts were irresponsible as they trivialised crypto-assets and took advantage of fans’ lack of knowledge of cryptocurrency.

In response, Arsenal argued the website selling the tokens was well known by Arsenal fans as a crypto platform. The football club announced it would seek an independent review of the ruling stating the adverts were neither misleading nor irresponsible and carried sufficient warning of the risks involved. However, the ASA’s ruling was upheld in August 2022. As a result, the adverts must not appear again, and any future advertisements must be clear on the risks involved.

Compliance with ASA guidance

This ruling from the ASA serves as a reminder to businesses to ensure adverts are compliant with the latest ASA guidance. The decision against Arsenal was one of seven ASA rulings against cryptocurrency adverts, all of which were deemed to be taking advantage of customer’s lack of experience with this digital currency. For any business promoting cryptocurrency, the rulings emphasise just how imperative it is to ensure the risks of investment are adequately highlighted.

At Hamlins we provide pre-advertising clearance advice for brands to support marketing and promotional strategies for a range of international companies. If you would like to seek our advice about advertising clearance of any other aspect of marketing regulatory compliance, please get in touch.