Kraken and Crypto Firms Pass on Super Bowl Ads

Kraken and other top cryptocurrency companies chose not to purchase advertising spots at Super Bowl LVIII, as reported by Fox Business. This decision indicates a change in how these firms plan to reach future crypto enthusiasts.

Kraken’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mayur Gupta, shed light on their reasoning. He mentioned the Super Bowl’s focus on the US audience, which does not align with the global audience they aim to attract. Gupta’s statement, “The Super Bowl is a very US-centric event, and the next wave of crypto users will come from all around the world, not just the United States,” highlights the need for a more inclusive marketing approach.

Gupta also pointed out the industry’s move from marketing strategies that create hype to those that emphasize education and awareness. He believes in the importance of showing the real benefits of cryptocurrency, saying, “If the last wave of crypto marketing was all about hype and FOMO, this current wave has to be rooted in education and awareness for the substance and true value proposition of crypto as a movement that will bring financial freedom and inclusion.”

The absence of crypto advertisements during the Super Bowl also reflects budgetary constraints within the industry, with many companies finding it more practical to invest their marketing dollars elsewhere. Even Coinbase, the biggest US crypto exchange, and issuers of Bitcoin ETFs like BlackRock and Grayscale opted out of Super Bowl commercials. Regulatory timings also influenced the decision-making process. The SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in January, but by then, Super Bowl ad slots had already been sold out since November.