5 times crypto appeared in pop culture in 2024

As cryptocurrency continues to embed itself into the mainstream, its influence is becoming increasingly visible in today’s popular culture. From documentaries and music to reality TV and even live music events, 2024 showcased crypto’s evolving presence in ways that entertained, educated and sometimes baffled audiences. 

Here are five notable instances where crypto made a mark on pop culture this year.

HBO’s Money Electric takes Bitcoin to the mainstream

October 2024 brought the release of HBO’s highly anticipated documentary Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery. 

Directed by Cullen Hoback — who had previously worked on the QAnon mystery in 2021 — the film delved into the origins of Bitcoin and the enigmatic identity of its pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. A massive hype campaign caught the attention of mainstream media. Would this be the film to finally settle the mystery?

The documentary combined investigative journalism with a cinematic flair and featured interviews with crypto veterans like Blockstream’s Adam Back and Roger “Bitcoin Jesus” Ver while simultaneously exploring the broader crypto ecosystem, especially its clashes with regulators and integration into existing financial systems.

In the end, Hoback posited a theory linking Bitcoin developer Peter Todd to Nakamoto, even though Todd vehemently denied the claim. 

Following its release, Money Electric was praised by some, but its central claim that Todd is Satoshi did not gain much traction and the film sparked debates about Bitcoin’s future and the ethics of Hoback’s investigative methods. The film also highlighted the growing political clout of crypto investors and their influence on the 2024 US presidential election.

Kendrick Lamar drops Bitcoin bars on GNX

Kendrick Lamar stirred the crypto pot with his track “Wacced Out Murals” from his 2024 album GNX. In the song, Kendrick wove Bitcoin into his lyrical storytelling, saying:

“Promisin’ bank transactions and even Bitcoin.”

The lyric appeared to call out rivals offering financial incentives, including Bitcoin, to gain influence. This seemed to be a nod to the artist’s disdain for manipulative tactics often employed by entertainers today. 

While subtle, the mention was a notable foray for Bitcoin into hip hop vernacular, serving as a metaphor for power and wealth. Kendrick’s commentary didn’t just resonate with his fans, it also reignited discussions about Bitcoin’s growing role in today’s cultural paradigm. 

The fact that artists like Kendrick and Drake (who famously used Bitcoin for gambling in the past) are incorporating crypto into their narratives has highlighted the currency’s impact on the cultural mainstream.

“America Loves Crypto” concert series takes over swing states

In the lead-up to the 2024 US presidential election, Stand With Crypto — a political initiative launched by Coinbase — held the “America Loves Crypto” concert series to drum up support for candidates proposing crypto-friendly policies. 

One of the evening’s standout events was the Black Keys’ electrifying performance, which lasted 45 minutes and covered 11 of the band’s most iconic hits. The series also featured artists including Big Sean and The Chainsmokers, blending entertainment with political advocacy. 

The free concert offered food, drinks and VIP perks to attendees who downloaded a digital wallet and claimed an NFT. While the VIP section created an intimate atmosphere for fans, the setup also wove crypto into every aspect of the event, from ticketing to exclusive experiences.

By bringing together two seemingly disparate realms — crypto advocacy and pop culture — America Loves Crypto symbolized how mainstream events can help shape public perception and policy.

Crypto gets its own Shark Tank with Killer Whales

The year 2024 also introduced Killer Whales, a reality TV show combining the drama of startup pitching with Web3 innovation. Produced by Hello Labs and streaming on platforms like Apple TV and Amazon Prime, the series showcases crypto entrepreneurs pitching their projects to a panel of industry experts, including Anthony Scaramucci and social media influencer Mario Nawfal.

Unlike traditional pitch shows, Killer Whales wasn’t about investing money, focusing instead on mentorship and exposure for crypto startups. Projects that earned “swim” votes from the panel were able to gain access to a marketing accelerator package from CoinMarketCap worth up to $100,000.

The series’ mix of business insight and personal drama seemed to capture a wide audience ranging from crypto enthusiasts to reality TV fans. It also provided a rare platform for educating mainstream viewers about blockchain technologies and key crypto concepts like tokenomics.

Netflix’s Biggest Heist Ever explores Bitcoin’s Bonnie and Clyde

True crime met cryptocurrency in Netflix’s Biggest Heist Ever, a documentary chronicling the infamous 2016 Bitfinex hack. The film examined the lives of Heather “Razzlekhan” Morgan and Ilya “Dutch” Lichtenstein, the eccentric couple accused of laundering billions in stolen Bitcoin. 

Their peculiar antics, including Razzlekhan’s cringeworthy crypto-themed rap videos, turned the story into an internet sensation.

Furthermore, the documentary examined the technical intricacies of the hack while delving into the couple’s bizarre personal lives. Interviews with cybersecurity experts, former associates and law enforcement officials painted a vivid picture of how the theft unfolded and its ramifications for the crypto ecosystem.

Biggest Heist Ever also raised new questions about national security, particularly regarding Lichtenstein’s alleged ties to Russia. The blend of suspense, humor and a real-world digital heist made the film a standout entry in the genre, solidifying crypto’s place in pop culture’s fascination with crime and intrigue.