9 December 2025
A crypto industry group has filed a formal complaint against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), seeking to correct a recently published article that contained several misrepresentations and factual inaccuracies about Bitcoin contained.
In its complaint, the Australian Bitcoin Industry Body (ABIB) states that the article Bitcoin (BTC) as a volatile tool for criminals, while Bitcoin's benefits for energy infrastructure and humanitarian purposes went unmentioned.
“The article misrepresented the role of Bitcoin, confused it with criminal activity, omitted key information, and relied on sensational language rather than evidence to inform readers,” the ABIB said.
“It ignored well-documented global and local applications… and effectively reduced reporting to outdated and misleading stereotypes about price fluctuations and American politics.”
The ABIB noted that the "one-sided framing" violates the public broadcaster's editorial guidelines and code of conduct. The complaint includes specific sections of the article requiring correction, as well as details about the editorial policies violated. According to its own guidelines, the ABC has 60 days to respond to the complaint.
The ABC, Australia's national public broadcaster, is funded by the Australian federal government and administered by a government-appointed board. Its estimated monthly audience exceeded twelve million in October, according to the Ipsos Iris digital audience measurement system.
If the broadcaster fails to respond or the ABIB is not satisfied with the solution offered, the matter can be referred to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which then has the option of opening an investigation. If a violation is found, the ACMA can take enforcement action, including a warning, a fine, or a decision on the licenses.
The ABC article, published on Tuesday, portrayed Bitcoin as a valuable tool for criminals, while fiat currencies are still more commonly used for illegal activities.
“While Bitcoin still appears to be a useful tool for those operating in the shadows — such as criminal gangs trafficking drugs or weapons and shadowy governments laundering reserves — this role has now been usurped by stablecoins, with Tether as a prominent example,” the article stated.
A January report from blockchain data platform Chainalysis refutes this claim. It found that only 0,14% of total on-chain transaction volume was linked to potentially criminal activity in 2024. For comparison, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime previously estimated that global criminal proceeds represent an average of 3,6% of global gross domestic product.
Other claims in the ABC article suggest that Bitcoin never achieved its stated goals and has no practical applications; it is rarely used in legitimate transactions and is no longer considered a reliable store of value.
However, institutional adoption of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies has increased significantly over the past two years, driven by investment vehicles such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and digital asset registers.
According to BitBo, publicly traded and private companies, ETFs, and countries are estimated to hold over 3,7 million Bitcoin, worth over $341 billion.
At the same time, banks and asset managers, even those who were previously sceptical, are taking increasingly cautious steps into this sector.
For example, Vanguard, the world's second-largest asset manager, announced on Monday that it is now offering clients the ability to trade crypto ETFs on its platform, a reversal from its previous stance.
A July report by market research firm Perception on mainstream media coverage of crypto in the second quarter found that 31% of articles published by the 18 media outlets it monitored were positive, 41% neutral, and 28% negative.
The ABIB frequently received reports from the public about Bitcoin's misrepresentation in the Australian media, particularly from publicly funded institutions. "Bitcoin deserves informed, responsible reporting and should not be dismissed with outdated narratives," the industry body stated.
What are the ABIB's main concerns about the ABC's reporting?
The ABIB is concerned that the article paints a false picture of Bitcoin and fails to highlight the cryptocurrency's benefits and legitimate applications. They point to the one-sided framing of Bitcoin as a criminal instrument, ignoring its contribution to sustainable energy and other positive use cases.
How does Bitcoin crime compare to traditional currencies?
A Chainalysis report shows that only 0,14% of on-chain transactions are potentially criminal in nature, while fiat currency estimates from the United Nations suggest that criminal activity accounts for 3,6% of global domestic product. This indicates a significant discrepancy in Bitcoin's perception compared to traditional financial systems.
What are the recent developments in institutional adoption of Bitcoin?
Institutional adoption of Bitcoin has seen a significant increase, with companies and investment funds now investing in Bitcoin and crypto ETFs. Vanguard recently announced that it is now offering clients access to crypto ETFs, providing insights into the broader adoption of crypto by traditional financial institutions.
Bitcoin (BTC)
Ethereum (ETH)
XRP (XRP)
