Actor Ben McKenzie, who gained widespread recognition for his role as Ryan Atwood in the acclaimed early 2000s television show “The O.C.,” is now making headlines with a fervent critique of the cryptocurrency industry. Appearing on The Daily Show, McKenzie is pushing back against the rise of crypto, promoting his new documentary titled “Everyone Is Lying to You for Money.”
McKenzie’s interest in the crypto world was ignited by what he describes as boredom and frustration with the countless endorsements from celebrities. Drawing from his background in economics, he has become an outspoken critic of the industry, particularly emphasizing the common narrative that code can replace human judgment. He argues that this belief is fundamentally flawed, stating, “Code does not fall from the sky. People write code.”
The actor highlighted a notorious instance involving FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who, during an interview with McKenzie, admitted to altering a single line of code that allowed him to borrow assets belonging to customers. This moment, McKenzie believes, serves as a stark illustration of the misleading notion that code is inherently trustworthy.
In his criticisms, McKenzie has not held back when discussing Bitcoin, claiming it is rife with deception and infested with criminals. “Bitcoin is full of lies. It’s full of misinformation,” he asserted, reflecting his deep concerns regarding the integrity of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
A significant portion of McKenzie’s documentary examines the fallout experienced by individuals caught up in collapsing crypto platforms such as Celsius. He expresses alarm over how the industry appears to exploit young men, manipulating their risk tolerance and societal pressures. Describing the aggressive marketing tactics, he mentioned ads that prompt a sense of shame for those hesitant to invest, paraphrasing a well-known ad featuring Matt Damon: “If they don’t… what are you, a pussy? Buy crypto.”
McKenzie has also been vocal about the lack of proper regulatory oversight in the crypto space, asserting that the industry’s practices often shift the blame onto the victims themselves. “The neatest trick of crypto, the cruelest trick, is to turn the blame back on the mark themselves,” he stated. He stressed his genuine concern for these young men caught up in the fervor of crypto investment, asserting, “I genuinely do care about these guys, and I genuinely want to protect them. And the industry is not protecting them.”
As he advocates for change, McKenzie has clarified his position on regulatory measures, urging for proper oversight while calling for accountability for those who exploit the system. “I am simply asking for it to be regulated properly. And I’m also asking politely for the criminals to go to jail,” he concluded, marking a bold stance in the ongoing debate over the future of cryptocurrency.
