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We Are Mission-Driven

At the Australian Bitcoin Industry Body (ABIB), we are dedicated to fostering a future where Bitcoin empowers individuals, businesses, and governments alike. Guided by the principles of decentralisation, transparency, and financial sovereignty, our mission is to advocate for Bitcoin as a force for innovation, economic resilience, and individual freedom.

Through informed dialogue with policymakers, the media, and the public, we address critical issues that impact the adoption and understanding of Bitcoin in Australia. From recognising Bitcoin’s unique status as a decentralised monetary network to promoting policies like the HODL Act, advocating for privacy and freedom of speech, financial self-sovereignty, and the elimination of CGT on Bitcoin, we work tirelessly to shape a Bitcoin-enabled future.

Bitcoin, not Crypto

Bitcoin stands as a singular innovation in the realm of finance and technology. It is the world’s only truly decentralised, peer-to-peer monetary network, offering a permissionless, open, and uncensorable system that operates without reliance on centralised authorities. At its core, Bitcoin embodies the principle of financial independence, empowering individuals to transact freely and securely across borders without intermediaries or gatekeepers.

What sets Bitcoin apart is its immutable fixed supply—21 million coins, not a single unit more. This monetary policy, encoded in Bitcoin’s protocol, ensures absolute digital scarcity, making Bitcoin a revolutionary alternative to fiat currencies that are prone to manipulation and devaluation. Bitcoin is governed by its decentralised network of nodes and miners, adhering strictly to its foundational rules without the influence of a central organisation or leadership.

Bitcoin’s unique characteristics extend beyond its technical structure. It has no CEO, no foundation, and no marketing team. Its growth and adoption are entirely organic, driven by its community of developers, users, and advocates who accept the mathematical integrity and technological robustness of it’s verifiable source code. These qualities distinguish Bitcoin fundamentally from the digital asset industry, many of which rely on centralised governance, pre-mines, or discretionary monetary policies that undermine trust and decentralisation.

Properly understood, Bitcoin is not merely one cryptocurrency among many—it is a category of its own. It is a technological breakthrough that provides an open and incorruptible financial infrastructure for the world. By recognising Bitcoin’s distinct and separate nature, we can better appreciate its role as a transformative tool for financial empowerment, economic stability, and individual sovereignty.

No Capital Gains Tax on Bitcoin

As the world embraces Bitcoin’s transformative potential, its recognition as legal tender in El Salvador stands as a landmark precedent. Increasingly, individuals and businesses worldwide are using Bitcoin for both savings and transactions, leveraging its decentralised nature, immutability, and fixed supply to protect wealth and facilitate seamless global commerce. This growing adoption highlights Bitcoin’s role not just as a store of value but as a practical and innovative payment medium.

To align with this international shift, we urge the Australian government to formally recognise Bitcoin as a foreign currency. Such a designation would reflect Bitcoin’s global utility and status, removing the unnecessary burden of capital gains tax (CGT) on everyday Bitcoin transactions. By doing so, Australia can unlock Bitcoin’s full potential as a medium of exchange, fostering its adoption in retail, business, and personal finance without tax disincentives.

Recognising Bitcoin as a foreign currency would position Australia as a forward-thinking leader in monetary policy, embracing innovation while empowering individuals and businesses. It would support economic growth by encouraging investment, technological advancement, and entrepreneurship. This policy shift also ensures Australia remains competitive on the global stage, adopting a progressive stance on financial innovation while respecting the evolving needs of its citizens.

By eliminating CGT on Bitcoin transactions, Australia can reduce barriers to adoption, enhance financial inclusion, and solidify its role as a hub for digital economic activity in the 21st century.

The HODL Act

In an era where fiat currencies are subject to persistent devaluation due to inflation and monetary policy decisions, it is imperative for Australia to safeguard its economic future. The HODL Act proposes a strategic shift in treasury management, allowing Federal and State governments, along with the Reserve Bank of Australia, to allocate a portion of their reserves to bitcoin.

Bitcoin, with its immutable fixed supply and decentralised architecture, serves as a hedge against the erosion of value inherent in fiat systems. By integrating bitcoin into treasury holdings, Australia can not only protect the purchasing power of its reserves but also position itself as a leader in adopting innovative financial strategies that align with global trends.

This legislative move would enhance financial resilience, diversify national reserves, and signal a commitment to long-term economic security. The HODL Act ensures that the Australian government takes proactive steps to leverage the transformative potential of Bitcoin, reducing reliance on inflation-prone assets and strengthening the nation’s fiscal stability in an uncertain global economy.

By adopting the HODL Act, Australia can set an example for the world, demonstrating foresight in monetary policy and a dedication to protecting the wealth of future generations.

Privacy and Freedom of Speech

Privacy is an inalienable human right, enshrined in Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with their privacy, family, home, or correspondence. Despite this universal principle, modern technological and financial systems increasingly erode privacy, threatening the autonomy and dignity of individuals worldwide.

We categorically reject all forms of surveillance, including blockchain-based chain surveillance, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) that enable totalitarian tracking of financial activity, and the mass monitoring of communications and internet usage. These measures undermine individual freedoms, create pervasive systems of control, and discourage open participation in economic and societal life.

Censorship further compounds these issues by stifling free expression, limiting the dissemination of information, and obstructing financial independence. Whether it pertains to speech, open-source code, or financial transactions, censorship is antithetical to a free and democratic society.

Bitcoin stands as a bastion of privacy and freedom. Its decentralised architecture and permissionless nature empower individuals to transact and communicate without the fear of surveillance or arbitrary restrictions. By championing Bitcoin and rejecting intrusive policies, we advocate for a society that upholds the fundamental rights to privacy, freedom of speech, and economic autonomy, ensuring these principles remain integral to the fabric of modern life.

Financial Self-Sovereignty

Every Australian should have the right to control their financial destiny without dependence on “trusted” intermediaries such as banks, payment processors, or other centralised entities. These institutions, while critical in the traditional financial system, introduce layers of vulnerability—including the potential for account freezes, systemic failures, high fees, and restricted access during economic or political crises.

Bitcoin offers a transformative alternative, enabling individuals to take full custody of their wealth. Through its decentralised network, Bitcoin allows Australians to transact directly with one another, bypassing intermediaries and empowering them to engage fully in the economy without institutional interference. Whether securing savings, sending remittances, or supporting businesses, Bitcoin provides an inclusive financial infrastructure that prioritises individual autonomy.

Adopting Bitcoin promotes resilience against systemic risks, such as banking collapses or currency devaluation, by offering a financial system free from centralised control and inflationary pressures. It fosters economic security, providing individuals with a stable, predictable store of value that operates independently of government monetary policies or economic manipulation.

By embracing Bitcoin, Australians can achieve true financial independence, ensuring that their wealth remains accessible, secure, and free from the risks associated with traditional financial systems. This shift is not just about technology—it’s about reclaiming individual sovereignty and building a financial future where control resides firmly in the hands of the people.