Top 10 Best Crypto Ads Of All Time

In crypto, advertising isn’t just about promoting a product—it’s a battle for attention, trust, and emotion. It’s also part education, part initiation for newcomers.

After all, where else do Hollywood celebrities pitch the virtues of blockchain, or major investment firms urge you to “enter the Ether” like it’s some mystical fog? By the 2020s, crypto advertising had evolved into a genre of its own—at times absurd, sometimes dramatic, but always bold, stylized, and unforgettable. 

And let’s face it—we’ve been living in that genre for a while now.

Coinbase: The Bouncing QR Code 

During the Super Bowl (the grand finale of the NFL season), Coinbase aired a deceptively simple ad: a black screen with a lone QR code bouncing across it.

No logos, no faces, no narration. Viewers across the country instinctively grabbed their phones to scan the drifting code—only to land on a Coinbase promo page that couldn’t handle the traffic and crashed almost instantly. Inspired by the nostalgic charm of the classic DVD screensaver, the marketing team proved that low-budget minimalism could still outshine high-gloss spectacle. 

Crypto.com and Matt Damon: “Fortune Favors the Brave”

Who would’ve thought heartthrob Matt Damon would become the face of a crypto brand?

In this high-concept ad from Crypto.com, Damon compares crypto enthusiasts to the great visionaries and explorers of history.

The campaign was directed by Wally Pfister, who won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography for Inception.

The spot struck a somewhat grandiose tone, but it was hard to forget. For many, it felt overly serious, but it got people talking. And isn’t that the ultimate goal of any ad?

eToro: Flying Crypto Traders

Once again, it’s the winning combo of crypto and the Super Bowl. Turns out, “mass sports + crypto ads” is as effective a pairing as a Twix pack.

In this surreal spot, people literally levitate and soar above the city. A visual metaphor for how crypto investing can lift you out of the everyday grind (and, perhaps, above the crypto-less masses, too).

The ad is vibrant, musical, and a little absurd. That’s how eToro chose to present the power of its copy trading platform. 

And the message landed. 

Related: The New Crypto Sports Economy: Sponsorships, Fan Tokens, and NFTs

Gemini: “Go Where Dollars Won’t”

Gemini took its message to the stars—literally. 

The campaign imagined space suits, rockets, icy asteroid slopes, and the tagline: “Go where dollars won’t.” The core idea? Fiat belongs to the past—crypto is the next frontier.

It speaks to limitless potential—whether it’s booking a trip to Mars or using Bitcoin to pay for a ski pass on a jaw-dropping, ice-covered asteroid.

The campaign ran as a series of billboards across the U.S., developed in partnership with branding agency Tombras and artist Matt Griffin, best known for his work on Dune and Star Wars.

VanEck: Enter the Ether 

VanEck, a heavyweight from traditional finance, surprised many with an ad campaign that felt more like arthouse cinema: Enter the Ether. So compelling, the Ethereum spot practically begged for a replay.

Released in September 2023, the ad was part of a marketing push for the Ethereum Strategy ETF (ticker: EFUT)—the first actively managed Ethereum futures ETF in the U.S.

The tagline “Enter the Ether” played on a double meaning: both a nod to Ethereum’s native asset and the idea of stepping into an unseen, boundless realm, underscoring the product’s innovative edge. The campaign targeted both professionals and curious newcomers alike. 

Related: VanEck: From John to Jan

Bitwise: “I’m Crypto, and I’m a Stock”

A nod to Apple’s iconic “Mac vs PC” ads—only this time, it’s traditional finance vs crypto.

Bitwise launched a series of spots featuring two characters—Stock and Crypto—debating the future of investing. In one ad, an older man in a suit, robe, and sleep mask lies down to rest, while a younger guy in a T-shirt and jeans says, “But it’s only 4 p.m.”—a reference to stock markets closing, while crypto trades around the clock. The tagline: “Unlike Big Finance, Ethereum doesn’t clock out at 4 p.m.”

With humor, a casual tone, and simple explanations of complex ETFs, the campaign clearly targeted those still undecided. 

Luno: Bitcoin in the London Underground

A line in the London Tube read: “If you’re seeing Bitcoin on the underground, it’s time to buy.” A minimalist banner—no video, no celebrity endorsements.

But the FOMO message hit its mark. Luno didn’t just promote BTC—they lodged it in the minds of millions of commuters. And the media took the bait, sparking immediate buzz. 

However, the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) eventually banned the ad, citing violations of the UK code on misleading and irresponsible advertising. Regulators argued the poster should have included a disclaimer noting that BTC is not government-regulated.

Naively, they assumed such a note might deter potential buyers. But in this case, it might just have made for a stronger tagline.

Kraken: Crypto Is Like a Food Truck

A 30-second video was released in June 2024 as part of the Explain It: Food Truck Master campaign, targeting a Canadian audience.

“Getting into crypto is like going to a taco truck for the first time.” You don’t get it at first, but then you’re into it. The spot suggests starting with a small bite, just enough to try. If you like it, you can “mix the ingredients” and “add some heat to taste.” 

In doing so, Kraken suggests starting small and gradually easing into the world of crypto.

Through simple metaphors, marketers explain why there’s no need to fear entering the industry. The campaign is shot as a short episode with minimal staging—street food, a calm vibe, and a friendly tone.

A warm, human-centered ad. 

FTX and Larry David: “Don’t Be Like Larry” 

In 2022, FTX rolled out what was likely one of the most expensive and visually striking ads in crypto history: $20 million for a Super Bowl slot featuring comedy legend Larry David. 

The ad shows Larry dismissing history’s greatest inventions—from the wheel to the lightbulb, and finally, Bitcoin. Directed by Larry Charles (of Borat fame), the spot plays like a warning: don’t be like Larry—don’t miss out. Ironic, fast-paced, and sharply cast. 

Sadly, just months after it aired, the ad took on a tragicomic tone: FTX collapsed, and the commercial became a symbol of Sam Bankman-Fried’s wild spending.

But in terms of creative execution, it’s undeniably a classic.

More on FTX’s cinematic initiatives: Netflix Eyes FTX Meltdown for Next Drama Hit—With Julia Garner as Caroline?

Coinbase: “This Commercial Isn’t About Pizza”

In 2023, Coinbase launched a series of ads under the tagline “Update the System,” and one of them, “This Commercial Isn’t About Pizza,” quickly stole the spotlight with its crypto wit and layered messaging.

The video leads viewers into a familiar pizza delivery setup, but instead of a hot pepperoni slice, it poses a question: Why is our financial system still as inconvenient as it was ten years ago? The ad plays smartly with expectations—you think they’re about to sell you sauce, but instead, they invite you to rethink the entire banking system. 

With simple language, a touch of humor, and visual metaphors, Coinbase delivers a clear message: just because something is old doesn’t mean it’s trustworthy. It’s a strong example of how a commercial can be funny, thought-provoking, and memorable.

The world of crypto advertising delights with unconventional creativity, where it’s often hard to tell whether it’s a joke or a well-calculated strategy. 

Movie stars argue with historians, QR codes bounce across the screen, and taco metaphors are used to make the case for Web3. Budgets are growing, storylines are getting bolder, and the creators’ imagination seems far from dry. 

We watch, we comment, we roll our eyes… and keep the popcorn ready. Who’s the next Larry?