What is Indonesia's new crypto influencer rule and what does it require?

Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) issued Regulation No. 6 of 2026, requiring social media influencers who recommend cryptocurrencies or other digital financial assets to obtain competency certification. Exemptions apply only to those already holding a separate licence covering the activity. Influencers must also limit promotions to assets listed on authorised exchanges, and any featured service provider must hold the relevant regulatory licence.

How does Indonesia's Regulation No. 6 of 2026 change how crypto marketing campaigns must run?

Under the new rules, crypto marketing campaigns can no longer be run independently by influencers. All campaigns must be conducted through regulated financial services businesses, which retain full responsibility for promotional content. Distribution must occur via those businesses' official channels — not through personal influencer accounts operating outside that structure.

Why is Indonesia introducing crypto influencer certification now?

Indonesia joins a global wave of regulators responding to the growing influence of social media on retail investment decisions. As crypto adoption rises among younger demographics, authorities are concerned about unlicensed individuals promoting high-risk digital assets without adequate accountability. The certification requirement is designed to ensure influencers have baseline financial competency before directing followers toward investment decisions.

How does Indonesia's approach compare to crypto influencer rules in the UK and Australia?

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority introduced guidance in 2024 making it a potential criminal offence for unauthorised influencers to promote regulated financial products without an approved firm's backing. Australia's ASIC clarified in 2022 that influencers may need an Australian financial services licence if their content constitutes financial advice. Indonesia's model goes further by requiring proactive certification, rather than relying solely on after-the-fact enforcement.

What enforcement action has the FCA taken against illegal financial influencers?

On 24 April 2026, the FCA coordinated a global week of action against illegal financial promotions involving 17 regulatory authorities. The campaign included enforcement operations, consumer awareness efforts, and influencer education initiatives. The FCA submitted 120 requests to remove 1,267 illegal financial advertisements that had collectively reached at least 2.3 million UK social media accounts.

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Indonesia requires crypto influencer licensing

Written by Heidi Cuthbert Published Jun 25, 2026, 10:18 AM

Indonesia's Financial Services Authority has issued Financial Services Authority Regulation No. 6 of 2026, requiring social media influencers who recommend cryptocurrencies and other digital financial assets to obtain competency certification.
The regulation exempts individuals who already hold a separate licence that covers the promotional activity.
Under the new rules, influencers may only promote digital assets listed on authorised exchanges, and any digital asset service provider featured in their content must hold the relevant regulatory licence.

Marketing campaigns must be conducted through regulated financial services businesses, which retain responsibility for all promotional material.

Those campaigns must also be distributed via the regulated businesses' official communication channels, rather than through independent influencer-led promotions.

Indonesia joins a growing list of jurisdictions tightening oversight of financial influencers as social media plays an increasingly prominent role in investment decisions.

Australia's Securities and Investments Commission clarified in March 2022 that influencers may require an Australian financial services licence if their content constitutes financial advice or facilitates financial transactions.

ASIC also warned that licensed financial firms may be held responsible for misconduct by influencers they engage.

The United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority introduced guidance in 2024 stating that unauthorised influencers could commit a criminal offence by promoting regulated financial products without approval from an authorised firm.

On 24 April, the FCA coordinated an international week of action against illegal financial promotions, with 17 authorities participating in enforcement operations, consumer awareness campaigns, and educational initiatives for influencers.

The FCA submitted 120 requests to remove 1,267 illegal financial advertisements that had collectively reached at least 2.3 million UK social media accounts.

South Korea's Democratic Party proposed legislation in February requiring influencers promoting cryptocurrencies or stocks to disclose their personal holdings and any compensation received for recommendations.

The South Korean proposal would impose penalties comparable to those applied in unfair trading cases if disclosure obligations are breached.

That proposal followed additional regulatory measures introduced this year, including AI-powered market surveillance by South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service and new reporting obligations requiring certain foreign property investors to disclose cryptocurrency transaction histories.