Ben McKenzie Documentary Exposes Crypto Victims as BTC Hits $75,619

Ben McKenzie's documentary "Everyone Is Lying to You for Money" earns Variety praise for its raw portrayal of crypto scam victims. Bitcoin hit $75,619, up 1.6% per CoinGecko. The Fear & Greed Index reads 33, per Alternative.me.

In a cramped Detroit garage, mechanic Tom Rivera wipes grease from his hands and stares at his phone screen. His $200,000 life savings vanished into a fake NFT project promising quick riches. McKenzie captures this raw heartbreak, revealing human stakes amid Ethereum's 1.2% rise to $2,306 (CoinGecko).

Ben McKenzie's Shift from Actor to Crypto Critic

McKenzie ditched Hollywood acting to expose crypto's dark side. He co-authored "Easy Money," dismantling industry hype. His film extends that with victim testimonies.

A single Ohio mother recounts her meme coin catastrophe. She poured in her emergency fund; it vanished overnight. Retirees detail Ponzi schemes that emptied nest eggs. McKenzie pairs stories with tech breakdowns and regulatory gaps, as CoinDesk analyzed in May 2023.

Variety critic Alison Herman dubs the film "knife-sharp." McKenzie confronts promoters, demanding accountability from executives peddling false promises. The SEC targets big cases, but retail investors suffer most.

Victims' Stories Pierce Surging Market Hype

Bitcoin's rally to $75,619 lures novices chasing profits. Yet the Fear & Greed Index at 33 urges caution. McKenzie profiles a Chicago teacher who bet her 401(k) on Solana.

A Florida nurse lost all in TerraUSD's 2022 collapse. XRP trades at $1.42, up 0.8%; BNB at $629.21, up 1.3% (CoinGecko). DeFi yields tempt users, but rug pulls deliver ruin. These tragedies pierce trading excitement.

Austin software engineer Sarah Kline tells McKenzie: "I trusted the whitepaper. Now my kids ask why college feels out of reach." Her words anchor risks in lived pain. Kline's story echoes warnings from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra in 2023 testimony.

Debunking Blockchain Myths and Scams

McKenzie dismantles myths. Bitcoin's 21 million coin cap draws BlackRock. Their ETFs hold billions. Ethereum's 2022 Merge slashed energy use 99%. Scammers twist proof-of-stake details.

• Asset: BTC · Price (USD): 75,619 · 24h Change: +1.6%
• Asset: ETH · Price (USD): 2,306 · 24h Change: +1.2%
• Asset: USDT · Price (USD): 1.00 · 24h Change: 0.0%
• Asset: XRP · Price (USD): 1.42 · 24h Change: +0.8%
• Asset: BNB · Price (USD): 629.21 · 24h Change: +1.3%

Modest gains mask dangers. Variety highlights McKenzie's promoter interrogations.

Variety Review Elevates Human Drama

Critics applaud the documentary's people-first focus over stats. Viewers feel Tom Rivera's anger in his garage. Families rebuild from ashes. Coinbase faces lawsuits for misleading ads.

Crypto blends with traditional finance. Goldman Sachs trades Bitcoin futures on CME. Retail traders lack protections. McKenzie spotlights this gap. Alison Herman notes the film's urgent confrontations.

Regulations Evolve as Victims Demand Change

McKenzie eyes tours, podcasts, sequels. Europe rolls out MiCA for stablecoins, exchanges. U.S. Congress considers matches. Bitcoin's April 2024 halving squeezes supply.

Fear & Greed below 40 flags fear. McKenzie pushes Etherscan verification, shuns guaranteed returns. Victims' tales urge safeguards. As markets surge, his film demands investor protections now.