A Peek into Ben McKenzie's Crypto Exposé: "Everyone Is Lying to You for Money"
Actor Ben McKenzie Unveils Cryptocurrency Exposé Titled 'Everybody Deceives You for Profit'
Brace yourself for some hard-hitting truths as actor-turned-crypto-connoisseur Ben McKenzie prepares to unleash his directorial debut at SXSW London. His documentary, "Everyone Is Lying to You for Money," premieres in June 2025 and promises a gripping exploration of the bewildering world of cryptocurrency.
Best known for his stints on "The O.C." and "Gotham," McKenzie embarks on an investigative journey, rocking the cryptocurrency world with critical insights into key figures, including President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, who infamously declared Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021.
"The online bros gave me a rough time when I first warned the world about crypto fraud," McKenzie shares with Deadline. "Now, those same guys are behind bars, and millions of investors have lost their fortunes to these scammers."
The documentary stars interviews with high-profile personalities such as Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced CEO of FTX, and Alex Mashinsky, the founder of Celsius Network. These candid conversations took place months before their companies crumbled under serious allegations of fraud and bankruptcy in July 2022 and November 2022 respectively.
McKenzie's interest in cryptocurrency bloomed during the pandemic in 2021. Since then, he's been vocal about his concerns, even testifying before the U.S. Senate Banking Committee on the collapse of FTX. In 2023, he co-authored a book titled "Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud," delving into similar topics as his upcoming documentary.
"I'm eager for the world to see this film," McKenzie shares. "It's a comedy that sheds light on the deceitful crypto world and the con-artists promoting it. They deserve nothing less than zero respect."
Editor's note by Andrew Hayward
Stay tuned for more details! If you're craving insights on the latest crypto scandals, Subscribe to our Daily Debrief Newsletter and explore the Walrus for more intriguing news.
- Ben McKenzie's forthcoming documentary, "Everyone Is Lying to You for Money," to be premiered at SXSW London in June 2025, promises a revealing look into the enigmatic realm of cryptocurrency.
- Among the key personalities critically scrutinized in the documentary, President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, who declared Bitcoin legal tender in 2021, is not exempted.
- Despite facing online ridicule when he first warned the world about crypto fraud, McKenzie is now vindicated as several crypto culprits, including Sam Bankman-Fried (FTX) and Alex Mashinsky (Celsius Network), find themselves in legal troubles.
- With the candid interviews from these high-profilers conducted months prior to their companies' downfall due to allegations of fraud and bankruptcy, McKenzie's documentary may showcase an untold side of the cryptocurrency world and its fraudulent practices.
- As a passionate advocate for financial responsibility and transparency in cryptocurrency, McKenzie continues to engage with policymakers and author books like "Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud," proving that his endeavors extend beyond his directorial debut.
