The rule.
“The financial promotion restriction does not apply to any communication which relates only to one or more qualifying cryptoassets”
Verbatim extract, read on 4 November 2026 from the source below. Everything else on this page is NorthPoint’s plain-English reading.
What it requires.
- The exemption covers a communication that relates only to qualifying cryptoassets and is communicated by a registered person — or on its behalf, if the communication is non-real time and the registered person prepared its content.
- It does not apply where the communication breaches a requirement the FCA imposed under section 55L or a direction under section 137S. And relying on it brings the firm inside the COBS 4 promotion rules (COBS 4.1.7CR).
Who it applies to.
Cryptoasset exchange providers and custodian wallet providers registered with the FCA under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 that are not authorised persons.
Common violations in marketing copy.
An affiliate writes and runs its own ad for a registered exchange
On someone else's behalf the exemption needs the registered person to have prepared the content.
One banner promoting crypto trading and a stocks ISA
The exemption covers communications that relate only to qualifying cryptoassets.
Non-compliant vs compliant.
“Our partners run their own creative for us — we just pay per sign-up.”
“Every UK promotion for [Exchange] is prepared by [Exchange] (an FCA-registered cryptoasset firm), approved internally and logged before it runs.”
Related rules.
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COBS 4.1.7CR · United Kingdom
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COBS 4.10.3G(8) · 4.10.9AR(4) · United Kingdom
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COBS 4.12A.11R(1)(d) · United Kingdom
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NorthPoint’s long-form page.
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UK cryptoasset financial promotions (FSMA s21, the FPO and FCA COBS).
Source.
| Instrument | The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (SI 2005/1529) |
|---|---|
| Provision | FPO Article 73ZA |
| Primary source | https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1529/article/73ZA |
| Read from | legislation.gov.uk, revised text |
| Checked |
This page is general, sourced information for marketing teams, not legal advice. The examples are written by NorthPoint to illustrate the rule; for a binding view on your own promotion, retain qualified counsel in the jurisdiction concerned.