Five Crypto Moments That Shaped Pop Culture in 2024

A year in which cryptocurrency moved from the margins to the mainstream delivered a spectrum of cultural moments that entertained, informed, and sometimes puzzled audiences. From investigative cinema to chart-topping lyrics, reality TV formats to high-profile pop performances, 2024 showcased crypto’s expanding footprint in popular culture. This rewritten overview preserves every key point from the original while expanding the context to illuminate how these moments reflect broader shifts in finance, media, and public discourse around digital assets.

Table of Contents

HBO’s Money Electric: Taking Bitcoin to the Mainstream

October 2024 marked a pivotal moment for crypto’s cultural visibility with the release of HBO’s documentary Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery. The film, directed by Cullen Hoback, a filmmaker known for previously tackling the QAnon mystery in 2021, ambitiously traced the origins of Bitcoin and probed the enduring puzzle of its pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. A fervent promotional push around the documentary amplified public curiosity, drawing media attention beyond traditional crypto circles. The central question the film offered—whether it could finally illuminate Nakamoto’s identity—resonated across audiences hungry for clarity about one of the era’s most talked-about technological conspiracies.

Money Electric endeavored to blend investigative journalism with cinematic storytelling, weaving together interviews with renowned crypto veterans and technologists to map both the promise and the tensions embedded in the ecosystem. Notable figures featured in the documentary included Adam Back of Blockstream and Roger Ver, often labeled “Bitcoin Jesus” for his early evangelism of cryptocurrency. The film did not simply celebrate decentralization; it also examined the friction between crypto and established regulatory architectures, as well as the ways digital currencies were integrating with or challenging conventional financial systems. The broader arc of the documentary invited viewers to consider how crypto’s rise interacts with policy, law, and public accountability in a rapidly changing financial landscape.

A controversial element of Money Electric emerged when Hoback advanced a theory linking Bitcoin’s development to a named developer, Peter Todd, suggesting he might be Nakamoto. Todd publicly denied the claim, and the documentary’s assertion sparked intense discussion about the reliability of investigative methods and the ethics of speculating on Nakamoto’s identity. Regardless of the theory’s reception, the film’s exploration of investigative ethics and its speculative edges sparked debate about how best to cover a phenomenon as diffuse and complex as Bitcoin. For better or worse, the narrative underscored crypto’s political implications, highlighting how wealthy investors and crypto insiders could exert influence within the political arena and possibly shape policy considerations in the 2024 US presidential election.

The reception to Money Electric illustrated crypto’s evolving status as a subject of serious mainstream scrutiny. While some viewers praised the documentary’s ambition to demystify Bitcoin and illuminate the ecosystem’s regulatory challenges, others criticized the reliance on contested theories or questioned the documentary’s editorial balance. The discourse around the film reflected broader questions about how media covers disruptive technologies: does it seek to reveal, sensationalize, or responsibly contextualize? Beyond entertainment, Money Electric signaled a growing expectation that media narratives about crypto contribute to public understanding of how digital assets function, how they are governed, and what role they may play in national economic strategy.

In the broader cultural frame, Money Electric suggested that crypto’s political clout could no longer be dismissed as a fringe concern. The documentary’s release intersected with evolving conversations about the influence of crypto investors and institutions on policy and electoral outcomes, signaling that crypto’s reach extends beyond markets into the spheres of governance and public opinion. The documentary’s impact, whether seen as illuminating or controversial, reinforced the perception that Bitcoin and related technologies occupy a consequential space within contemporary political and cultural discourse. The year 2024 thus captured a moment when documentary storytelling connected technical origin stories with existential questions about power, control, and the future of money, offering audiences a lens through which to evaluate crypto’s enduring relevance.

Key takeaways for audiences and markets

The film’s exploration of Bitcoin’s genesis and Nakamoto’s elusive identity invited viewers to reflect on what makes a digital asset truly belong to the public imagination.
Interviews with established crypto voices provided insight into how developers and investors view the technology’s potential and its regulatory risks.
The speculative theory about Nakamoto’s identity, while not proven, illustrated the tensions between curiosity, ethics, and responsible journalism in crypto storytelling.
The documentary’s framing of crypto’s political influence highlighted how investors and technology leaders can intersect with electoral dynamics and policy debates.
Money Electric contributed to a broader cultural conversation about the legitimacy, risks, and opportunities of decentralized finance, underscoring crypto’s capacity to shape both media narratives and public policy.

Kendrick Lamar’s GNX Verse: Bitcoin Goes Hip Hop

Kendrick Lamar stirred conversations about cryptocurrency in the music arena with his track “Wacced Out Murals” from the 2024 album GNX. In this song, Kendrick wove Bitcoin into his storytelling, embedding the digital currency within his lyrical landscape as a symbol of power, wealth, and strategic leverage. The line, “Promisin’ bank transactions and even Bitcoin,” stood out as a pointed commentary on the incentives and manipulations sometimes seen in contemporary financial and media ecosystems. The verse appeared to critique rivals who leverage financial incentives to influence audiences, framing Bitcoin as a metaphor for opacity, control, and the leverage that money can confer in the entertainment world.

The lyric’s subtleties marked a notable entry for Bitcoin in hip hop vernacular, signaling crypto’s ascension beyond tech circles into mainstream cultural lexicons. By incorporating Bitcoin into his narrative, Kendrick repositioned the currency as more than a speculative asset; it became a cultural shorthand for power dynamics, wealth accumulation, and the strategies audiences encounter in a media-saturated era. The moment resonated with fans, reframe, and debate among observers about how crypto is represented in popular music and what such representations imply about the currency’s social legitimacy.

Kendrick’s commentary dovetailed with other high-profile artists who have referenced crypto—most notably Drake, who previously engaged with Bitcoin in a gambling context—underscoring a broader trend: crypto’s narrative has permeated mainstream music as a symbol of risk, innovation, and new sources of capital. This trend reflects a cultural shift where cryptocurrency is not solely a technical or financial topic but a cultural language capable of conveying ambition, critique, and aspirational storytelling. The artistic integration of Bitcoin in GNX contributed to ongoing conversations about crypto’s role in contemporary art, its capacity to shape discourse around wealth and influence, and its evolving position within a rapidly changing entertainment ecosystem.

The cultural implications for music and crypto

The use of Bitcoin in lyrics signals a growing acceptance of crypto as a recognizable emblem of modern finance and status.
Subtle critiques embedded in lyrics offer audiences a lens to examine how crypto intersects with power dynamics, marketing, and audience manipulation.
The cross-pollination between music and crypto enhances public awareness and may influence perceptions of digital assets as legitimate participants in contemporary culture.
This fusion invites artists to explore crypto-centric themes with nuance, balancing celebration of innovation with critical reflection on financial systems.
The interaction between music and crypto can spur conversations about financial literacy and how audiences interpret the promises and risks associated with digital currencies.

The America Loves Crypto Tour: Swing States, Crypto Advocacy, and Pop Culture

In the lead-up to the 2024 US presidential election, Stand With Crypto, a political initiative supported by Coinbase, launched the America Loves Crypto concert series to mobilize support for candidates advocating crypto-friendly policies. The initiative not only aimed to galvanize voters but also to demonstrate how entertainment events can serve as platforms for policy discussion and public engagement around digital assets. One standout moment from the series was the Black Keys’ 45-minute performance, a high-energy set that spanned 11 of the band’s most iconic hits. The lineup also included celebrated acts like Big Sean and The Chainsmokers, creating a concert experience that blended musical spectacle with political messaging.

The event was notable for offering more than music: attendees could download a digital wallet and claim an NFT to access VIP perks and exclusive experiences. The arrangement underscored crypto’s practical applications in event management, from ticketing to on-site incentives, while reflecting the shifting attitudes of audiences toward blockchain-enabled consumer experiences. The free concert format, coupled with crypto-enabled perks, illustrated how popular culture can be leveraged to shape public sentiment and policy discourse around cryptocurrency in a mainstream context. By bridging entertainment and advocacy, America Loves Crypto created a high-profile convergence of pop culture and political persuasion, signaling crypto’s potential to influence how voters perceive regulatory approaches and industry incentives.

Implications for policy, culture, and media

The concert series demonstrated how crypto advocacy can be embedded within large public events, blending cultural experiences with political messaging.
By offering NFT-based VIP access and on-site crypto experiences, the event showcased real-world use cases for blockchain technology in consumer engagements.
The integration of crypto into swing-state events highlighted how cultural moments can intersect with electoral strategies, potentially shaping voter attitudes toward policy proposals.
The approach raised discussions about the ethics and efficacy of using pop culture for political influence, particularly when financial incentives and digital assets are involved.
As a result, audiences gained exposure to the practical aspects of crypto—from wallet management to tokenized experiences—while considering the broader regulatory and policy implications that accompany crypto-friendly platforms.

Killer Whales: Crypto’s Shark Tank-Inspired Reality Series

The year 2024 introduced Killer Whales, a reality TV show that fused startup pitching drama with Web3 innovation. Produced by Hello Labs and available on streaming platforms such as Apple TV and Amazon Prime, the series follows crypto entrepreneurs as they present their projects to a panel of industry insiders, including notable figures like Anthony Scaramucci and influencer Mario Nawfal. The show diverged from traditional pitch formats by shifting the emphasis away from immediate investment and toward mentorship, exposure, and the education of both participants and viewers about blockchain technology and crypto concepts.

A distinctive feature of Killer Whales was the “swim” voting mechanism: projects that earned positive votes from the panel could gain access to a marketing accelerator package offered by CoinMarketCap, valued at up to $100,000. This format reframed the typical startup competition by prioritizing mentorship, visibility, and strategic partnerships over direct funding in the early stages. The show’s blend of high-stakes business strategy and personal storytelling appealed to a broad audience, attracting crypto enthusiasts alongside reality TV fans. The combination of entrepreneurial insight and entertainment contributed to a nuanced portrayal of the crypto ecosystem, highlighting how tokenomics, governance, and strategic branding intersect in real-world ventures.

Killer Whales served as a rare platform for educating mainstream audiences about blockchain technologies and key crypto concepts, while also delivering the drama and human interest that define popular reality programming. By featuring industry experts and crypto founders within a television format, the show helped demystify core ideas such as tokenomics, project governance, and market dynamics for viewers who might be encountering them for the first time. The program’s educational value came alongside entertainment, creating a dual appeal: it entertained audiences with competitive tension and personal arcs while revealing practical perspectives on how crypto startups operate, scale, and seek to differentiate themselves in a crowded field.

Why Killer Whales mattered for crypto literacy

The show highlighted how mentorship and industry networks can accelerate growth for early-stage crypto projects in meaningful, tangible ways.
The panel’s guidance offered concrete insights into marketable strategies, branding, and regulatory considerations that startups must navigate.
The exposure provided by the show created opportunities for crypto founders to connect with potential partners, customers, and media beyond traditional channels.
The format underscored the educational potential of entertainment media in communicating complex crypto concepts like governance models, incentive structures, and token utility.
The series reflected broader cultural interest in Web3-enabled business solutions, while also inviting audiences to weigh the potential benefits against risks such as scams or misaligned incentives in a rapidly evolving sector.

Netflix’s Biggest Heist Ever: True Crime Meets Crypto

Netflix’s Biggest Heist Ever brought true crime storytelling into the orbit of digital finance by chronicling the infamous 2016 Bitfinex hack. The documentary examined the sophisticated theft and its aftermath, focusing on the lives of Heather “Razzlekhan” Morgan and Ilya “Dutch” Lichtenstein, the couple accused of laundering billions of dollars in stolen Bitcoin. Their eccentric public personas, including Razzlekhan’s crypto-themed rap videos, transformed what might have been a straightforward cybercrime narrative into a cultural sensation that captured widespread internet attention.

In exploring the technical mechanics of the Bitfinex breach, the documentary also delved into the security vulnerabilities that enable such heists and the broader implications for the crypto ecosystem. Interviews with cybersecurity experts, former colleagues, and law enforcement officials provided a layered portrait of how the theft unfolded and the lessons it imparted for the industry. The film’s approach combined suspense, humor, and forensic detail to illuminate the complexities of digital theft in a world where value is increasingly stored and transferred on decentralized networks. As a cultural artifact, Biggest Heist Ever reinforced crypto’s connection to crime narratives, echoing long-standing public fascination with high-stakes heists while inviting viewers to scrutinize the security and governance landscapes governing crypto assets.

The documentary also raised new questions about national security and geopolitical connections, notably concerning alleged ties between Lichtenstein and Russia. While such connections added a provocative dimension to the story, they also contributed to broader debates about the vulnerability of digital assets to illicit activity and the ways in which global power dynamics intersect with cybercrime. The blend of suspense and real-world consequences helped cement crypto’s status in pop culture as a field marked by high-stakes risk, complex technology, and intricate regulatory challenges. The lasting impact of Biggest Heist Ever lies in its ability to translate a highly technical incident into accessible storytelling that resonates with audiences while prompting deeper consideration of how the crypto world can be safeguarded and governed in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

Takeaways for audiences and policymakers

The Bitfinex hack illustrated the enduring security challenges facing crypto exchanges and the ongoing importance of robust cyber defense and incident response.
The narrative of Razzlekhan and Dutch Lichtenstein highlighted how unconventional personal profiles can drive public curiosity and influence media coverage of crypto crimes.
The documentary’s exploration of technical details and investigative processes educated viewers about how investigations unfold in the digital asset space.
By linking crypto crime to broader geopolitical questions, the film encouraged policymakers and the public to consider national security implications and regulatory responses.
The overall resonance of Biggest Heist Ever demonstrated that true crime storytelling remains a powerful vehicle for explaining complex technology and prompting discussions about ethical governance, compliance, and consumer protections in the crypto era.

Conclusion

Across 2024, cryptocurrency’s presence in popular culture deepened in ways that were both entertainment-driven and thought-provoking. From a high-profile documentary probing Bitcoin’s origins to rap lyrics that embed crypto in the storytelling fabric of modern music, and from political-powered concert series to reality television focused on Web3, and finally to a Netflix narrative about a landmark hacker heist, the year showcased a broad spectrum of cultural expressions centered on digital assets. These moments collectively reflect crypto’s ongoing journey from a niche financial innovation to a recognizable cultural force with tangible political, educational, and economic implications.

The convergences observed in Money Electric, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX verse, the America Loves Crypto tour, Killer Whales, and Biggest Heist Ever illuminate several core themes. First, media and entertainment increasingly treat crypto as a legitimate cultural reference point—one that can illuminate ideas about wealth, power, risk, and governance. Second, crypto’s footprint in pop culture signals a growing expectation that mainstream audiences seek clearer explanations about what decentralized technologies promise and what they portend for regulation, security, and consumer protection. Third, the fusion of entertainment with policy advocacy demonstrates how cultural platforms can influence public perception and political discourse around digital assets, underscoring the need for responsible reporting, accurate storytelling, and accessible education about crypto fundamentals.

As audiences engage with these stories, they contribute to shaping the evolving narrative around Bitcoin, blockchain, and the broader crypto ecosystem. This ongoing dialogue will influence how media, policymakers, and industry participants collaborate to navigate opportunities and challenges in a rapidly changing financial landscape. The cultural moments of 2024 thus serve as a barometer for crypto’s maturation: not merely a technology or asset class, but a lived-in element of contemporary culture that continues to provoke questions, inspire innovations, and invite scrutiny about the future of money in society.