Exploring Portrayals of Digital Currencies and Distributed Ledgers in Cinematic Productions

In recent years, cryptocurrency has captured the imagination of people worldwide, with Bitcoin leading the charge. This digital currency has inspired a plethora of films, TV shows, and documentaries, each offering a unique perspective on this revolutionary technology.

One such documentary is "Bitcoin Big Bang: l'improbable épopée de Mark Karpeles" (2018), which focuses on Mark Karpeles, the CEO of the bankrupt Mt.Gox exchange, who was arrested after 850,000 BTC were stolen from the exchange in 2015. The film provides a gripping account of one of the largest Bitcoin heists in history.

Another documentary, "Cryptopia: Bitcoin, Blockchains and the Future of the Internet" (2020), explores the evolution of the blockchain industry and re-evaluates its prospects, five years after its first documentary on Bitcoin. It offers insightful commentary on the growth and potential of this groundbreaking technology.

The movie "Crypto" (2019) is a thrilling drama about a young Wall Street banker investigating New York's network of corruption and fraud, featuring Bitcoin prominently. Meanwhile, "The Rise of Cryptocurrency" (2017) is a film about the second most popular cryptocurrency, Ethereum, and its creator, Vitalik Buterin.

Television shows have also jumped on the cryptocurrency bandwagon. For instance, "The Simpsons" (2020) has an episode named 'The Frinkcoin', where Professor Frink invents a cryptocurrency that makes him the richest man in Springfield. In "Startup" (2016), FBI special agents investigate financial crimes involving cryptocurrency.

The TV-show "How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)" (2019) is about a schoolboy who launched the largest online drug business in Europe, including for cryptocurrencies. On the other hand, "Silicon Valley" (2014-...) features the main characters mining Bitcoin in the last season.

Documentaries like "The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin" (2014) describe Bitcoin, its characteristics, and Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin. "IamSatoshi" (2014) is a detailed study of Bitcoin from the perspective of participants in the global financial system. "Banking on Bitcoin" (2016) analyses the successes and failures of the first cryptocurrency owners and explores the balance between innovative technologies and government regulation.

"Trust Machine: The Story of Blockchain" (2018), directed by Alex Winter, is a film about blockchain technology, its history, and its potential impact on various industries. "Deep Web" (2015), also directed by Alex Winter, presents a chronicle of events related to the Darknet site Silk Road, Bitcoin, and the philosophy of the deep web.

Even Hollywood movies have started to incorporate Bitcoin into their narratives. In "The Hustle" (2019), Rebel Wilson's character exchanges money obtained by gimmicks into Bitcoin. The film "Life on Bitcoin" (2014) tells the story of young spouses Austin and Becky Craig who lived 100 days only on Bitcoin.

These films, TV shows, and documentaries offer a fascinating insight into the world of cryptocurrency, providing entertainment while educating viewers about this transformative technology. As the popularity of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies continues to grow, it's likely that we'll see even more content exploring this exciting field.

Exploring Portrayals of Digital Currencies and Distributed Ledgers in Cinematic Productions