Indonesia tightens control over crypto advertising: mandatory certificates for influencers
Indonesia's financial regulator has taken a decisive step by introducing mandatory licensing for crypto influencers. Now, any blogger or content creator who recommends cryptocurrencies or other digital financial assets must obtain an official certificate of competence.
What has changed in practice
Under the new rules, influencers are not allowed to advertise assets that have not undergone the procedure for admission to trading on authorized exchanges. This means that promoting tokens not included in the official listing of regulated platforms is now a direct violation. Additionally, all advertising campaigns must be conducted exclusively through licensed financial companies and their official channels, completely eliminating independent advertising activities by bloggers.
Why this matters for the market
This step is aimed at protecting retail investors from dishonest recommendations and potential fraudulent schemes. Indonesia, as one of the most active crypto markets in Southeast Asia, is facing a rise in unverified advice that often leads to financial losses among newcomers. The introduction of certification creates a barrier for incompetent or unscrupulous influencers, while simultaneously increasing trust in legitimate market participants.
Expert comment: This is a precedent that could become a model for other countries in the region. Indonesia is demonstrating that regulating crypto advertising is not a restriction on free speech, but a necessary measure for building a healthy ecosystem. I expect that within the next six months, similar requirements will emerge in Thailand and the Philippines, where the volume of the advertising market in the digital asset sector is growing exponentially.