South Africa adds new cryptocurrency standards to advertising code
South Africa adds new cryptocurrency standards to advertising code
South Africa's advertising regulator introduced cryptocurrency clause to code of practice to protect consumers and nullify scams and fraud.
The first clause requires that adverts, including cryptocurrency offerings, must ‘expressly and clearly’ state that investments may result in the loss of capital ‘as the value is variable and can go up as well as down.’ Furthermore, adverts must not contradict warnings about potential investment losses.
Advertising for particular services and products must be explained in an ‘easily understandable’ manner for intended audiences. Adverts must also give balanced messages around returns, features, benefits and risks associated with the associated product or service.
Rates of returns, projections or forecasts must also be adequately substantiated, including how these are calculated and what conditions apply to touted returns. Any information relating to past performance cannot be used to promise future performance or returns, and should not be presented in a way that creates ‘a favourable impression of the advertised product or service.’