Roxom TV, a relatively new Bitcoin-focused media channel, was banned from YouTube on May 14, with its 2,000 subscribers disappearing overnight. Launched in late 2024 by Borja and Helena Martel Seward, the channel had gained traction for its Bitcoin news and educational content.

According to Alex McShane, Roxom TV’s director of Bitcoin strategy, YouTube cited violations of its “harmful and dangerous content” policy as the reason for the removal. However, McShane believes the decision was likely driven by automated systems that may have mistakenly flagged Roxom’s content as financial scams or gambling promotions.

“Our transcripts don’t match YouTube’s accusations. We focus on Bitcoin education and market analysis, not gambling,” McShane told Cryptonews. He added that the appeal was handled by bots rather than human moderators, resulting in an immediate denial.

YouTube’s recent policy update against gambling content may have inadvertently affected Roxom TV. In March 2025, the platform warned creators against promoting gambling websites or promising “guaranteed returns,” a policy that could easily confuse crypto content with gambling-related content.

This situation mirrors YouTube’s December 2019 “crypto-purge,” when more than 35 crypto-related channels, including Bankless and Cointelegraph, were banned. Although some channels were reinstated, the incident heightened concerns over algorithmic censorship and lack of transparency.

Nikki Martinez, head of short-form content at Hype, said that content related to speculative assets like crypto often triggers algorithmic scrutiny. “Words like ‘profit’ or ‘earnings’ can activate automated filters, flagging content as financial scams,” she explained.

Martinez recommends that crypto creators use more neutral language, such as “income opportunities” instead of “quick profits,” to avoid algorithmic penalties. She also advises creators to diversify their presence across multiple platforms, such as Nostr, Calaxy, and Telegram, to reduce reliance on centralized platforms like YouTube.

Wendy O, a prominent crypto content creator with 2,050 subscribers on YouTube, emphasized the importance of staying updated with platform policies. “It’s crucial to use caution when discussing speculative assets. Even innocent content can be flagged as financial advice or gambling,” she warned.

McShane remains optimistic that Roxom TV’s channel will be reinstated once a human review is conducted. “We believe it was an algorithmic error, and we’re hopeful for a fair review,” he said. “But it’s a stark reminder of how vulnerable crypto content creators are to arbitrary enforcement on centralized platforms.”