European Union: Consumer Protection Cooperation Network published key principles on in-game virtual currencies

On 21 March 2025, the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network, supported by the European Commission, adopted a set of principles related to the use of virtual currencies in online games. The principles are based on existing European Union consumer protection legislation, including the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (Directive 2005/29/EC), the Consumer Rights Directive (Directive 2011/83/EU) and the Unfair Contract Terms Directive (Directive 93/13/EEC). These principles delineate requirements pertaining to price transparency, pre-contractual information, and the treatment of consumer vulnerabilities, including those of children. The principles stipulate that traders must display the price of digital content and services in real-world currency, even in cases where purchases involve in-game virtual currencies. They address practices such as requiring the purchase of bundled or mismatched virtual currencies, multiple exchanges of virtual currencies, and the use of contract terms and commercial practices that may affect consumer decision-making.