The best films about cryptocurrency

The niche popularity of cryptocurrencies aiming to become the new normal has not been spared by directors, producers and screenwriters looking to create a bestseller in the nascent industry. In a short time of more or less widespread recognition of digital assets, many worthy works of cinema have come out. The films about cryptocurrency that we have chosen will be informative for both beginners and experienced crypto enthusiasts. 

The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin is a 2014 documentary directed by Nicholas Mross. The plot revolves around a programmer who became interested in bitcoin in 2011.

The film contains many interviews with people who influenced the development of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. For example, The Rise And Rise Of Bitcoin starred Gavin Andresen (software developer, well-known supporter of bitcoins) and Brian Armstrong (CEO of crypto exchange Coinbase).

The picture realistically describes the events that took place when bitcoin appeared. Viewers are introduced not only to success stories, but also to failures. The director lists the factors that influenced the creation of the first cryptocurrency. Explains the conceptual side of digital assets and the main points related to the new technology. 

A documentary made in 2020 that highlights the idea, paradoxes and problems of cryptocurrencies, addressing different points of view. Directed by Torsten Hoffmann and Michael Watchulonis. The film starred such influential people from the world of digital finance as Vitalik Buterin (founder of Ethereum), Andreas Antonopoulos (author of Mastering Bitcoin) and others.

The work is divided into three parts. The first is dedicated to bitcoin, it introduces us to the basic understanding of the technology, paying attention to the original purpose of the project. The first act also answers the question: why large financial institutions and governments are against the use of BTC.

The second part examines blockchain technology, reveals the meaning of using smart contracts, immerses in the Ethereum ecosystem, and describes the various possibilities of a distributed ledger. In addition, Hoffmann talks about the role of the initial coin offering (ICO) in the industry, about the scam in the crypto space.

Finally, the film compares cryptocurrencies to the advent of the Internet. The last part explores the possibility of how blockchains and DeFi can solve the problem of information control and collection of user personal data by tech giants.

Earlier, in 2015, Torsten Hoffmann had already filmed a documentary about cryptocurrencies called “Bitcoin: the end of money as we know it.” 

A 2022 Netflix thriller based on a true story. The plot revolves around frustrated users of the Quadriga crypto exchange, who lost thousands of dollars after the death of its founder. An excited community comes together to investigate the case on their own.

Based on the real story of the mysterious disappearance of the entrepreneur and founder of the cryptocurrency exchange Jerry Cotten. Losses to investors in total are estimated at $250 million. 

A 2019 fictional crime thriller by John Stalberg Jr. that covers the dark aspect of cryptocurrencies. The film shows the connection between cryptocurrencies and money laundering. The main character is a young banker from Wall Street. He investigates an intricate corruption scheme with his childhood friend, a computer genius who secretly mines cryptocurrency.

The films about cryptocurrency collected here will help to look at the digital asset industry from different angles, complement existing knowledge and remind you of important conceptual details of the industry's emergence.