Crypto Sponsorships Face New Limits
As of 2025, cryptocurrency brands are no longer as visible in Indian cricket as they once aimed to be. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clearly banned crypto companies from becoming title sponsors of the Indian national team or taking front-of-jersey space in tournaments like the IPL and WPL.
This follows wider concerns from Indian regulators about promoting financial products that are not fully regulated. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the central government have warned about risks tied to crypto investments, which extend to crypto sports betting, too. This has made the BCCI act cautiously, especially around how teams and players associate with crypto firms.
What Is Still Allowed
Crypto ads are now banned in major cricket sponsorships, but some digital content is still active. Platforms such as Rario are creating NFTs with players like Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Deepak Hooda. These are online collectibles showing big moments from cricket games. Fans can buy them, keep them, or trade them just like how people used to collect physical cricket cards. It’s similar to how fans once collected cricket cards.
These partnerships are positioned more like digital fan experiences, not investment advice. Still, they’re being reviewed closely under newer advertising rules that apply to digital assets and financial promotions.
Fan Tokens: Still Not Common
In some international sports leagues, teams offer fan tokens that let supporters vote on small decisions or get digital perks. But in India, cricket teams have not widely adopted fan tokens yet.
One reason is regulation. In 2023, the BCCI banned WPL teams from making deals with companies offering fan tokens or similar crypto-linked tools. That rule still seems to be in effect. The league has taken a firm stand against anything directly or indirectly linked to crypto investment or trading.
Cricketers Stay Cautious
Compared to footballers in Europe or athletes in the U.S., Indian cricketers are more careful about crypto endorsements. You won’t find many promoting coins or trading platforms. Instead, most stick to digital collectibles or metaverse appearances tied to their own highlights or brand.
This careful approach may be influenced by new rules. Celebrity promotions in India are getting more attention from regulators. If something in the ad isn’t clear or honest, it can cause trouble—both legally and with fans. That’s why players and sponsors are playing it safe these days.
What Comes Next?
Here’s what to expect as this space evolves:
- More regulation: New government guidelines on online gaming and digital assets have already changed who can advertise in cricket. Similar rules may follow for NFTs or blockchain gaming.
- Limited crypto branding: Crypto-related ads will likely stay restricted in IPL and international matches.
- Digital fan experiences: Teams might explore tech-based engagement tools that are not tied to crypto investments.
- Focus on safety: Most platforms and players will continue avoiding anything that looks like financial advice or trading promotion.
Final Thoughts
Crypto has not disappeared from Indian cricket, but its role is now tightly controlled. What remains is the entertainment and digital content side, like NFTs. However, direct promotion of trading or crypto exchanges is off the table under BCCI rules.
As the laws evolve, and as fans get more familiar with these digital tools, the scene may shift again. For now, cricket remains cautious, keeping crypto at a safe distance, especially where young audiences and national branding are involved.
