MiCA Art. 7(1)(a): marketing must be identifiable as such

European Union MiCA Article 7(1)(a)

The rule.

Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 on markets in crypto-assets (MiCA) · Article 7(1)(a)

“the marketing communications are clearly identifiable as such”

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.

A reader must be able to tell, without effort, that the content is promotional. The test is the reader's, not the author's: a post that reads as independent commentary fails even if a disclosure exists somewhere else.
Paid placements, influencer posts, sponsored articles and affiliate content carry a visible label at the point of reading — not only in a profile bio or a terms page.

Who it applies to.

Marketing communications for an offer to the public, or an admission to trading, of a crypto-asset other than an asset-referenced token or an e-money token — prepared by the offeror, the person seeking admission to trading or the operator of a trading platform.

Common violations in marketing copy.

Violation pattern · native article

Why [Token] is the most undervalued project of the cycle (a sponsored piece with no label)

Paid content dressed as editorial is the textbook case of a communication that is not identifiable as marketing.

Violation pattern · KOL thread

Just aped into [Token], here's why I think it 10x's

If the creator is paid or holds an allocation from the offeror, the post is a marketing communication and needs a visible marker.

Non-compliant vs compliant.

Non-compliant · example written by NorthPoint

“My honest take on [Token] after a month of using it — no hype, just facts.”

Compliant · example written by NorthPoint

“Ad · Paid partnership with [Offeror]. What [Token] does, what it does not, and the white paper link.”

Related rules.

MiCA Art. 7(1)(b): fair, clear and not misleading marketing →

Article 7(1)(b) · European Union
MiCA Art. 7(1)(c): marketing must match the white paper →

Article 7(1)(c) · European Union
MiCA Art. 7(1)(d): state the white paper and contact details →

Article 7(1)(d) · European Union
MiCA Art. 7(1)(e): the not-reviewed-or-approved statement →

Article 7(1)(e) · European Union
MiCA Art. 7(2): no marketing before the white paper is out →

Article 7(2) · European Union
MiCA Art. 66(2): CASP information must not mislead →

Article 66(2) · European Union
The full guide on this topic →

NorthPoint’s long-form page.
Every MiCA rule record →

Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (EU) 2023/1114.

Source.

Instrument	Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 on markets in crypto-assets (MiCA)
Provision	Article 7(1)(a)
Primary source	https://www.esma.europa.eu/publications-and-data/interactive-single-rulebook/mica/article-7-marketing-communications
Official text	https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1114/oj/eng
Read from	ESMA Interactive Single Rulebook, one page per article (ESMA's own publication of the MiCA text)
Checked	4 November 2026

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.

Crypto marketing must be identifiable as marketing.