Regulation

New FSMA Regulation: Rules governing advertisements for virtual currencies

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The Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) was granted a new power by the government to regulate advertisements for virtual currencies. The FSMA issued a Regulation to this end that was published on 17 March 2023 in the Belgian Official Gazette (Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad) and will enter into force on 17 May 2023. The Regulation has three main aspects:

  • The basic principle that advertisements must be accurate and not misleading
  • Advertisements must contain mandatory information that points out the risks
  • Mass media campaigns must be notified to the FSMA in advance

More info in the press release by the FSMA, and in the slides of a webinar they organised on 19 April 2023.

All advertisements must also contain this warning: "Virtual currencies, real risks. The only guarantee in crypto is risk." 😅


Photo by CardMapr.nl on Unsplash