Quick Breakdown
- •The Australian Bitcoin Industry Body (ABIB) lodges a formal complaint against ABC, accusing it of misrepresenting Bitcoin and breaching its editorial policies.
- •ABIB challenges claims linking Bitcoin heavily to criminal activity, citing data showing illicit crypto use is only 0.14%.
- •If ABC fails to respond within 60 days, the case may escalate to Australia’s media regulator, which can issue warnings or penalties.
ABIB Alleges Outdated Narratives and Factual Errors
The Australian Bitcoin Industry Body (ABIB) has filed a formal complaint against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), accusing the national broadcaster of publishing an article that misrepresented Bitcoin and breached its editorial standards.
According to the complaint, ABC’s report framed Bitcoin primarily as a volatile asset and a tool commonly used by criminals. ABIB states this portrayal ignores well-documented humanitarian, energy-grid, and financial-inclusion use cases for Bitcoin.
The Australian Bitcoin Industry Body (ABIB) has lodged a formal complaint with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (@abcnews) regarding its recent article on Bitcoin.
The piece contained multiple factual errors, misleading claims, and one-sided framing that breach the ABC’s…
— Australian Bitcoin Industry Body (@AusBTCIndBody) December 2, 2025
The industry group argued that the article relied on “sensational language over evidence,” overlooked publicly available data, and conflated Bitcoin with broader illicit activity.
ABIB also noted that it regularly receives messages from the public regarding similar misrepresentations in Australian media, particularly from publicly funded institutions.
Data Contradicts Claims About Criminal Activity
ABC’s article suggested Bitcoin remains popular among criminal networks and “shady governments,” though the piece itself acknowledged that stablecoins like Tether are increasingly used instead.
ABIB countered this assertion by referencing a January report from Chainalysis. This report found that only 0.14% of all on-chain crypto transactions in 2024 were linked to potential criminal activity. For context, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that illicit funds flowing through fiat systems account for approximately 3.6% of global GDP.
The ABC report also claimed Bitcoin has failed to achieve its stated objectives, has limited legitimate use, and no longer functions as a reliable store of value. ABIB asserts that these claims contradict global adoption trends.
ABC Yet to Respond; Case Could Escalate
Under ABC’s Code of Practice, the broadcaster has a period of 60 days to address the complaint. If ABC fails to respond within this timeframe, or if ABIB deems the response to be inadequate, the matter can be escalated to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
ACMA has the authority to launch a formal investigation into the complaint. If a breach of the Code of Practice is confirmed, ACMA can issue warnings, infringement notices, or make licensing-related decisions.
In parallel, Australia is tightening its oversight of the digital asset sector. A new bill is in progress that would bring crypto platforms under existing financial services laws, a move intended to protect consumers and strengthen industry standards.