Why Crypto Brands Should Bet Big on Out-of-Home Advertising

Cryptocurrency is no longer just for tech experts or a small group of enthusiasts. Every day, people across the globe are hearing about Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital coins. But for crypto companies, building trust beyond their usual online followers isn’t easy. Major digital ad platforms such as Google and Meta still restrict crypto advertising. So even with heavy online investment, crypto remains widely misunderstood by the mainstream.

That’s why leading crypto brands today focus on Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising, the kind of ads you see on billboards, digital screens, and public spaces. Unlike newspapers and traditional print media, OOH is also subject to regulatory approvals and restrictions in many regions, it still offers a valuable opportunity to connect with audiences in high-visibility, real-world environments. When executed within compliant frameworks, OOH can help crypto brands build trust and awareness in a more tangible and engaging way.

The global cryptocurrency market is growing rapidly, with recent reports projecting it will continue expanding strongly through 2025 and beyond. This growth highlights increasing user adoption and interest, creating a timely opportunity for brands to strengthen their presence using effective channels like OOH advertising.

Source: The Business Research Company

The Credibility & Visibility Challenge in Crypto

Crypto may now be mainstream in name, but many household investors remain hesitant. According to CoinLaw, only 18.3% of respondents believe the stock market is riskier than crypto, while 45% view digital currencies as the more volatile and uncertain option. A further 36.7% feel that both are equally risky, showing how deeply divided public trust remains when it comes to digital assets.

These worries are amplified by headlines about market volatility, cyber attacks, and the kind of digital problems that rarely affect more familiar tangible investments. Even though millions of consumers now hold some form of digital currency, stories of hard-to-access funds or sudden losses have left many new audiences sitting on the sidelines.

Adding to this challenge, crypto companies face real hurdles with advertising. Big online platforms like Google, Meta, and others still limit how and where crypto ads can run. As a result, even the most legitimate projects can struggle to break beyond their own online niches, making crypto feel closed off or inaccessible.

This is where OOH shines. When people encounter a crypto brand’s message on a public billboard or digital screen, especially in financial centers or airports, it conveys brand authenticity. It signals that the company is established and adheres to legal standards, not hiding behind digital curtains. Compared to digital ads, which many people skip or distrust, OOH campaigns offer a transparent, professional invitation to join the next chapter of finance.

By stepping into the physical world with OOH, crypto brands change the conversation: from “is this even safe?” to “maybe this really is the future of finance.”

Why OOH Is Relevant for Crypto Today

OOH advertising helps crypto brands solve some big challenges they face:

• Builds trust with real presence: People trust brands they see regularly in busy places like airports, bus stops, and financial districts. When crypto ads appear there, it shows the brand is serious and trustworthy.
• Scale & impact: OOH ads catch the attention of a diverse audience, including those who might not be searching for crypto online. This helps bring new people into the conversation.
• Cultural signaling: Visibility in premium locations signals credibility and scale, aligning crypto brands with consumer trust of traditional finance institutions.

Take Gemini as an example. Gemini is a regulated cryptocurrency exchange, wallet, and custodian that makes it simple and secure to buy bitcoin, ether, and other cryptocurrencies. To build brand trust and awareness, Gemini launched an OOH campaign, placing ads across key financial and technology districts, using billboards, taxis, street furniture, and subway ads. This campaign boosted Gemini’s brand awareness by 18% and increased the number of people planning to use their services by 32%. This success shows how having a physical presence in high-traffic, relevant locations helps crypto brands gain real trust and recognition.

Source: Outfront

The Modern OOH Advantage: More Than Just Billboards

Out-of-Home advertising has transformed with digital technology, especially through programmatic Digital Out-of-Home (pDOOH). This gives crypto brands three big benefits:

1. Smarter Audience Targeting

Instead of simply choosing locations, crypto marketers now use data to reach the right people, like tech-savvy millennials or investors in business districts. For example, campaigns targeting “tech hubs” in cities such as Singapore or financial centers in Hong Kong ensure ads reach audiences most interested in crypto.

2. Measurable Real-World Impact

Modern DOOH campaigns can track real actions triggered by ads, like wallet sign-ups, app downloads, or visits to events, by leveraging mobile and location data. This allows brands to see exactly how effective their campaigns are.

3. Dynamic, Up-to-Date Messaging

DOOH ads can change instantly based on live data. Imagine a screen showing “Bitcoin hits $70,000, see it live here,” or counting down to a token launch. This makes ads feel urgent, timely, and trustworthy.

Real Campaign Example: Floki Inu

Floki Inu, a popular crypto coin, used programmatic DOOH through Moving Walls in multiple Indian cities. They targeted high-traffic digital billboards and screens in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and other cities where audiences spend time outdoors. This campaign reached millions of moving audiences and used detailed measurement data on foot traffic and impressions to optimize advertising times and locations. Floki Inu generated strong awareness rapidly in a challenging market by being visible where people actually are.

Source: Agency reporter

Why Programmatic DOOH Is a Game-Changer for Crypto Brands

Programmatic Digital Out-of-Home (pDOOH) advertising is transforming how crypto brands connect with audiences. It allows marketers to:

• Run short, timely campaigns that respond quickly to market changes or new product launches.
• Buy ad space smartly, choosing exactly when, where, and who will see the ads, making every marketing dollar count.
• Expand effortlessly across multiple cities or even countries using a single, centralized system, ensuring consistent messaging while tailoring to local markets.

This flexibility and precision make programmatic DOOH an ideal fit for crypto’s fast-evolving growth.

How Crypto Brands Can Use OOH Tactically

Crypto companies can use OOH advertising in many creative ways to maximize impact:

• Brand launches: Roll out dominant ad placements in financial districts when introducing new coins or tokens.
• Trust-building: Maintain ongoing ad presence in airports, metro stations, and other high-footfall areas to reinforce brand credibility.
• Community engagement: Build excitement with countdowns for NFT drops or token listing events.
• Event activations: Take charge of the narrative at industry gatherings like TOKEN2049 or major Web3 summits.
• Dynamic campaigns: Use live market updates, crypto price tickers, leaderboards, or trading competitions on digital screens to engage viewers in real time.

For example, DWF Labs’ OOH campaign surrounding TOKEN2049 in Dubai reached thousands with energetic, adaptive content. This helped them connect with their target audience exactly when and where it mattered most.

Challenges & Considerations

• Regulatory scrutiny: Crypto brands must navigate global differences in advertising rules, ensuring all messaging is compliant to avoid penalties.
• Simplifying the message: Clear, straightforward, and educational ads are essential given the complexity of cryptocurrencies.
• Creative agility: Dynamic OOH campaigns require fast creative workflows to update content in line with market developments and audience responses.

Conclusion: Why Now Is the Time

Crypto is entering the mainstream, but standing out is more difficult than ever. OOH advertising provides a tangible way to build trust, deliver culturally relevant messages, and measure real-world impact.

With programmatic digital out-of-home (DOOH), crypto brands can enjoy the best of both worlds: broad, high-impact campaigns paired with data-driven precision and flexibility. Many crypto competitors are already making their presence felt in major cities across the globe.

The real question is: Are you ready to be seen where it counts?