Crypto Advertising Ban: But Hardware Remains Legal?

As of August 2024, Russia enacted a nationwide ban on cryptocurrency advertising. Any public offer to buy or sell Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other coins is now prohibited by law. According to Roskomnadzor, over 2,000 ads have been blocked across various websites.

Additionally, promoting mining pools or related services is also forbidden. However, hardware ads for ASICs or GPUs remain untouched. Vendors note an 18% jump in demand for Antminer, WhatsMiner, and similar devices within three months. Apparently, hardware ads are viewed not as crypto offers but as ordinary merchandise.

The FAS reports that violators have already incurred fines totaling $200k for showing illicit banners. Experts predict the advertising sector will adapt, with “gray” campaigns shifting toward indirect channels.