Is it legal to make crypto content on YouTube?

Yes, educational crypto content is legal. However, you must disclose paid promotions, avoid providing personalized investment advice without licensing, and never promote unregistered securities. The SEC has specifically targeted influencers who accepted undisclosed payments to promote crypto tokens.

What RPM does crypto content earn on YouTube?

Crypto RPMs range from $8-$30, varying significantly with market conditions. During bull markets, RPMs can spike to $25-$40. During bear markets, they may drop to $5-$15. Tax-focused crypto content maintains higher RPMs year-round ($15-$30) due to financial advertiser demand.

How do I handle crypto sponsorships safely?

Only accept sponsorships from established, reputable projects or platforms. Disclose every sponsorship clearly and prominently. Do not guarantee returns or make claims about the project's future value. Have a lawyer review sponsorship agreements for any project you are not deeply familiar with.

Do I need to report crypto from affiliate programs on my taxes?

Yes. Affiliate income paid in crypto is taxable at the fair market value on the date received. If you later sell or exchange that crypto, you owe capital gains tax on any appreciation. Track the cost basis (fair market value when received) and report the income on Schedule C.

Guide

CryptoYouTube2026Niche GuideUSA

How to Start a Crypto YouTube Channel in the US (2026 Guide)

Cryptocurrency content on YouTube is highly profitable but carries unique regulatory and reputational risks. RPMs range from $8-$30, exchange affiliate payouts can reach $100+ per funded account, and the audience is deeply engaged. However, SEC enforcement actions, tax reporting requirements, and market volatility demand careful compliance. This guide covers how to build a crypto channel the right way in 2026.

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Step-by-Step Guide

Define your crypto sub-niche

Bitcoin education, crypto tax guidance, DeFi tutorials, or market analysis. Avoid trying to cover everything — depth beats breadth in building authority.

Establish your compliance framework

Create standard disclaimers, disclosure templates, and a personal policy for handling paid promotions. Consider consulting a securities attorney ($500-$1,000 one-time).

Build a foundation of educational content

Create evergreen videos explaining fundamental crypto concepts, tax reporting, security practices, and platform comparisons before focusing on timely market content.

Apply for exchange affiliate programs

Sign up for Coinbase, Kraken, and Gemini affiliate programs. These are the most reputable and offer $25-$100+ per funded account.

Publish consistently and build community

Market analysis content benefits from consistent scheduling. Build a community through livestreams, comments, and social media engagement.

The crypto YouTube landscape in 2026

Revenue potential:
- AdSense RPM: $8-$30 (varies dramatically with market conditions — bull markets drive 2-3x RPMs)
- Exchange affiliate programs: $25-$100+ per funded account (Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, Binance.US)
- Sponsorships: Crypto projects, wallets, and DeFi platforms sponsor videos ($1,000-$50,000+)
- Digital products: Crypto tax guides, portfolio trackers, trading courses

Content landscape:
The crypto YouTube space has matured significantly since 2021. Audiences are more skeptical of hype and demand substance. Channels that survived the bear markets did so by providing genuine education, honest analysis, and transparent track records. The era of 'this coin is going 100x' clickbait is declining.

Key content areas in 2026:
- Bitcoin and established cryptocurrency analysis
- Crypto tax reporting (increasingly complex with IRS enforcement)
- DeFi education and protocol analysis
- Crypto regulation updates (SEC, CFTC decisions)
- Institutional adoption trends
- Security and self-custody education
- NFT and tokenization developments

SEC compliance and legal risks

Critical legal considerations:

1. Securities law: Many crypto tokens may be classified as securities under the Howey Test. Promoting unregistered securities can violate SEC rules. The SEC has taken enforcement actions against promoters of crypto projects.

2. Paid promotions: If a crypto project pays you to promote their token, you MUST disclose this. Failure to disclose is a violation of Section 17(b) of the Securities Act. The SEC has charged influencers who promoted tokens without disclosing payment.

3. Market manipulation: Coordinating buy/sell activity, running pump-and-dump schemes, or making false claims about a token's value can result in criminal charges.

4. Tax reporting: The IRS treats crypto as property. Every trade, swap, and sale is a taxable event. Content about crypto taxes is high-demand and high-value.

Safe practices:
- Never accept payment from a crypto project to promote their token without clear disclosure
- Always disclose your holdings in any crypto you discuss
- Never make price predictions presented as guarantees
- Do not coordinate buying activity with your audience
- Include disclaimers: 'This is educational content, not investment advice. Crypto is highly volatile and you can lose your entire investment.'
- Be transparent about both potential gains AND risks

FTC requirements:
- All sponsored content must be clearly disclosed
- Affiliate relationships with exchanges must be disclosed
- Claims about returns or performance must be substantiated and include risk disclaimers

Content strategy for a crypto channel

Sustainable content types:
1. Market analysis: Weekly or daily market recaps using on-chain data, technical analysis, and fundamental research
2. Crypto tax education: How to report crypto on your taxes, tax-loss harvesting, IRS Form 8949 walkthroughs — extremely high demand during tax season
3. Security education: Wallet setup, self-custody, avoiding scams — trust-building content
4. Regulation updates: SEC rulings, legislative developments, exchange regulations
5. DeFi tutorials: Protocol walkthroughs, yield strategies, risk analysis
6. Exchange and platform reviews: Honest comparisons with affiliate links

Content to AVOID:
- 'This coin will 100x' clickbait with no substantive analysis
- Promoting specific small-cap tokens (legal and reputational risk)
- Guaranteed returns or income claims
- Paid promotions disguised as organic content
- Anything that could be construed as coordinating market activity

Building credibility:
- Share your portfolio transparently, including losses
- Acknowledge when you were wrong about predictions
- Cite on-chain data and verifiable sources
- Feature interviews with developers, analysts, and compliance experts
- Focus on education over entertainment

Disclaimer: This is general information about starting a YouTube channel. Crypto regulation is evolving rapidly. Consult a securities attorney for compliance guidance specific to your content.

Pro Tips

Crypto tax content is the most underleveraged opportunity in this niche — IRS enforcement is increasing and borrowers desperately need guidance
Never accept payment from a crypto project without disclosing it prominently — SEC enforcement against undisclosed crypto promotions is active and penalties are severe
Bull markets bring viewers, bear markets build loyal audiences — creators who stay consistent through downturns emerge with the most trusted brands
On-chain data from sources like Glassnode, Dune Analytics, and DefiLlama adds substance and credibility to your analysis
Always disclose your personal holdings in any crypto you discuss — this is both an FTC requirement and a trust-building practice