• YouTube expands playing restrictions to cowl online game skins and NFTs.
• This coverage goes into impact on November 17, 2025 for content material that directs viewers to playing platforms.
• The platform has clarified that instructional blockchain content material and gameplay movies will nonetheless be allowed.

YouTube introduced a coverage change that originally precipitated concern throughout the Web3 gaming and crypto creator communities. The platforms’ revised playing tips, efficient November 17, 2025, broaden restrictions to cowl digital items with real-world financial worth.

The up to date neighborhood tips prohibit content material that directs viewers to on-line playing websites or purposes that embrace online game skins, cosmetics, NFTs, digital forex tokens, and in-game belongings that may be exchanged for actual cash. Movies that promote or hyperlink to playing platforms utilizing these digital belongings are topic to content material removing and age restrictions except the platform is licensed by Google Advertisements and complies with native laws.

NFT creator Levi expressed his displeasure in a latest submit on X, saying, “YouTube’s new coverage is a direct assault on Web3 video games and CS skins. Beginning November seventeenth, movies selling NFTs, crypto tokens, and in-game skins with actual worth might be slapped with playing violations.”

This concern stems from uncertainty about how YouTube distinguishes between selling digital merchandise and easily discussing or displaying digital merchandise in content material. Many blockchain-based video games incorporate tradable tokens and NFTs as core gameplay mechanics, creating confusion as to what actions fall into the realm of playing promotion.

In response to the backlash, YouTube clarified that this coverage doesn’t ban normal cryptocurrencies, NFTs, or Web3 gaming content material. A YouTube spokesperson advised media retailers that content material showcasing online game gadgets that creators earn in-game, in addition to normal dialogue of belongings with real-world financial worth, won’t be affected by the replace.

Instructional content material remains to be allowed

Content material that may proceed to be allowed consists of instructional supplies about blockchain expertise and Web3 video games, gameplay movies that introduce NFT-based video games, and commentary that analyzes crypto recreation economics. It additionally features a dialogue of digital belongings that don’t facilitate playing actions.

YouTube additionally locations age restrictions on content material that includes social on line casino video games, even people who do not contain actual cash, reminiscent of digital slots, poker, and roulette. These movies can solely be accessed by customers 18 years of age or older.

This coverage instantly impacts Counter-Strike’s two-skin financial system, the place weapon skins commerce for 1000’s of {dollars}. Third-party websites permit customers to wager these skins on esports matches and casino-style video games, successfully changing the cosmetics into digital forex.

Associated: https://currencyjournals.com/yucky-ducks-nft-launches-with-perpetual-yuckpot/