Actor Ben McKenzie crusades against 'stupid' cryptocurrency

Ben McKenzie, widely recognized for his role as Ryan Atwood in the television series "The O.C.," has pivoted from Hollywood to become a prominent critic of the cryptocurrency industry. Drawing on his undergraduate economics studies, McKenzie has testified before the U.S. Congress and spoken at related forums, labeling the entire crypto sector as the "largest Ponzi scheme in history."

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You can also call me Ryan Atwood from The OC.

His recent documentary, which he openly calls "stupid," further details his concerns. This film follows his book on cryptocurrency, co-written with journalist Jacob Silverman. McKenzie admitted to experiencing "impostor syndrome" while taking on the role of an investigative journalist for the film, acknowledging it's outside his primary training.

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In my opinion, the cryptocurrency industry represents the largest Ponzi scheme in history.

McKenzie's interest in cryptocurrency began during the COVID-19 pandemic. With record-low interest rates and anxieties about currency devaluation, many retail investors, including himself, were drawn to assets like Bitcoin. He described his initial foray as being "really bored" during the showbiz shutdown and taking advice from a friend he wouldn't typically seek financial guidance from.

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I had a lot of impostor syndrome about playing this role of investigative journalist.

While acknowledging the allure of decentralized digital currencies like Bitcoin, which can be worth significant amounts but are also highly volatile, McKenzie's journey has led him to a deeply skeptical stance. He highlights the potential for massive losses, influenced by factors ranging from government policies to influential figures' social media posts.

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The long and short of it is I was really bored over the pandemic.