Cryptocurrency content creators on YouTube raised concerns during the Christmas period, reporting that some of their videos had been unexpectedly taken down by the platform.
Disclaimer: YouTube responded to Cointelegraph’s inquiry, stating that the removal of cryptocurrency-related content was accidental and has since been reversed.
Several YouTube creators specializing in cryptocurrency content recently shared that their uploaded videos appeared to have been removed without clear explanation.
Chris Dunn, a crypto-focused creator with over 210,000 subscribers and approximately 7.5 million views, tweeted on December 23:
“@YouTube many of my crypto videos have been deleted for ‘harmful or dangerous content’ & ‘selling regulated goods’... Took me 10 years to get to 200k subs and 7M views. What is going on @TeamYouTube?!”
On the same day, another content creator from the educational channel Node Investor also tweeted:
“Merry Christmas to you @YouTube. Apparently a video I uploaded 2 years ago researching a cryptocurrency is now illegal... Censorship is cool.”
What Caused the Takedowns?
Screenshot of YouTube’s notification to Chris Dunn · Source: @ChrisDunnTV
As part of his report, Dunn shared a screenshot suggesting platform-level intervention. It showed at least seven videos had been taken down due to “community guidelines violations,” each flagged for containing “harmful or dangerous content.”
Affected video titles included “50 Crypto Trading & Investing Lessons From 5 Years,” “Is Bitcoin Real Money?,” and “The Future of ICOs.”
A second screenshot shared by Dunn revealed further details from YouTube: a first violation would result in a one-week ban on uploading, publishing, or streaming content. A second violation within 90 days would extend the restriction to two weeks, and a third would lead to permanent removal of the channel.
Node Investor shared a similar platform notification related to a single video that was removed for violating YouTube’s “policy on the sale of regulated goods.”
Cointelegraph reached out to both Chris Dunn and Node Investor for additional comments and will update this article accordingly.
Evolving Platform Policies on Crypto Content
While YouTube does not explicitly prohibit legal cryptocurrency-related content, cybersecurity researchers have recently identified cases of the platform being used to spread cryptojacking malware.
Other major platforms like Facebook, Google, and Twitter initially banned blockchain-related advertisements but have since relaxed some of those policies. Many have refined their rules to allow legitimate crypto content while prohibiting misleading or fraudulent promotions.
Cointelegraph itself has encountered temporary restrictions on Facebook, which was among the first social platforms to ban cryptocurrency and ICO ads due to misleading promotional practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were crypto videos removed from YouTube?
YouTube initially cited violations related to “harmful or dangerous content” and “selling regulated goods.” The platform later clarified the removals were accidental and reinstated the affected videos.
How can creators avoid accidental content removal?
Creators should ensure their videos comply with community guidelines, avoid promoting unregulated financial products, and clearly disclose educational intent. Staying informed about policy updates is also essential 👉 Explore more strategies.
Does YouTube allow cryptocurrency content?
Yes, YouTube permits legal and compliant crypto-related content. However, videos must not facilitate scams, promote illegal activities, or violate financial regulations.
What should I do if my video is wrongly taken down?
You can appeal the decision through YouTube’s support system. Provide clear context about the content and its compliance with platform policies.
Are other social media platforms restricting crypto content?
Most major platforms now allow legitimate crypto educational and news content but prohibit fraudulent advertising, ICO promotions, and financial scams.
How is YouTube improving its moderation process?
YouTube relies on automated systems and human reviewers. The platform continues to refine its algorithms to reduce errors while maintaining community safety standards.