Five Times Crypto Stepped Into Pop Culture in 2024

In 2024, cryptocurrency quietly but persistently embedded itself deeper into mainstream culture, moving beyond headlines into documentaries, music, reality television, and live events. The year highlighted how crypto concepts, personalities, and debates seeped into everyday conversations, influencing storytelling and public perception alike. From investigative cinema that probes Bitcoin’s origins to chart-topping lyrics that reference digital currencies, and from political outreach that blends policy with pop culture to reality TV that teaches crypto literacy, 2024 offered a multifaceted portrait of crypto’s growing cultural footprint. The following sections dive into five notable moments where crypto’s presence in pop culture became tangible, influential, and, at times, controversial.

HBO’s Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery takes Bitcoin to the mainstream

The October 2024 release of HBO’s documentary Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery brought a high-profile spotlight to Bitcoin’s origins and the enduring enigma surrounding Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of the cryptocurrency. Directed by Cullen Hoback, a filmmaker who previously investigated the QAnon phenomenon, the film aimed to blend investigative journalism with cinematic storytelling to explore how Bitcoin emerged from obscure cryptographic circles into a global financial and political force. The documentary’s promotional wave captured broad media attention and fueled public anticipation about whether it would finally unveil Nakamoto’s identity or at least advance the conversation about Bitcoin’s true provenance.

In navigating its subject matter, Money Electric interwove conversations with prominent crypto veterans and technologists—figures such as Adam Back of Blockstream and Roger Ver, often dubbed “Bitcoin Jesus”—to illuminate the technical, economic, and ideological tension surrounding Bitcoin’s evolution. The film also cast a wider net by examining the broader crypto ecosystem: its clashes with regulators, the friction with traditional financial institutions, and the ways in which digital currencies are increasingly woven into mainstream market structures. This dual approach—intimate interviews with long-time insiders alongside larger questions about regulation and institutional adoption—helped the documentary appeal to both crypto enthusiasts and general audiences curious about the future of money.

One of the documentary’s central propositions revolved around a controversial theory that linked Bitcoin development to a specific individual: Peter Todd. Hoback proposed that Todd, a known developer in the Bitcoin community, might be central to Nakamoto’s mythos. The film presented this theory as an investigative hypothesis rather than a conclusive declaration, acknowledging Todd’s vehement denial while using the claim to spark debate about the challenges of tracing digital provenance in decentralized networks. This decision reflected a broader ethical dilemma at the heart of modern crypto journalism: how far can a researcher go in testing provocative leads before the pursuit of a sensational narrative eclipses rigorous evidence and balanced interpretation?

Reception to Money Electric was mixed in nuance and tone. Some critics praised the documentary for its brisk pacing, cinematic quality, and the way it framed Bitcoin’s journey as a collision between libertarian ideals and the realities of regulated financial systems. Others criticized the film for leaning into sensationalism or for giving disproportionate weight to speculative theories about Nakamoto’s identity. Regardless of the varied reception, the documentary’s impact extended beyond entertainment: it reinforced the perception that crypto is not just a financial instrument but a cultural phenomenon with political and ethical dimensions that warrant public scrutiny.

Beyond its investigative frame, Money Electric underscored crypto’s growing political influence. The film highlighted how investors and technologists have begun to shape policy discussions, a trend that gained even greater visibility during the 2024 United States presidential election cycle. The participation of crypto advocates and the presence of crypto-connected donors at political events illustrated a shifting power dynamic: crypto insiders were increasingly seen as actors with leverage in shaping regulatory outcomes and public opinion. This dimension added a political lens to the film’s narrative, inviting audiences to consider how technology, finance, and governance intersect in the modern era.

From a cinematic perspective, Money Electric demonstrated how documentary storytelling could unpack complex technical topics for a broad audience while inviting critical debate about the ethics of investigative methods. Hoback’s background in tackling controversial subjects informed a style that mixed documentary vérité with heightened dramatic moments, encouraging viewers to weigh the credibility of evidence while remaining mindful of the film’s interpretive frame. The tension between uncovering truth and navigating the boundaries of responsible reporting became a recurring theme, inviting viewers to reflect on the responsibilities of journalists, filmmakers, and researchers in the fast-evolving crypto landscape.

In sum, Money Electric served as a landmark moment in 2024 for crypto’s cultural resonance. It positioned Bitcoin’s mystery at the center of mainstream discourse, prompting conversations about origin stories, decentralization, and the interplay between innovation and accountability. Whether audiences walked away convinced or unsettled about Nakamoto’s identity, the documentary succeeded in translating a technical mystery into a broadly accessible narrative about the future of money, power, and regulation in a digital age.

Kendrick Lamar drops Bitcoin bars on GNX: Bitcoin moves into hip-hop vernacular and narrative

Amidst a year of crypto crossovers, hip-hop’s most influential voice, Kendrick Lamar, brought Bitcoin into the lyrical conversation with a standout line in his 2024 album GNX, through the track Wacced Out Murals. In this song, Kendrick weaves Bitcoin into his storytelling arc, delivering a line that goes, Promising bank transactions and even Bitcoin. The lyric, though concise, functioned as a symbolic bridge between traditional wealth-building imagery and the aspirational language of cryptocurrency. It wasn’t merely a boast or a gimmick; it was a deliberate inclusion of Bitcoin within the artist’s broader commentary on power dynamics, economic leverage, and the optics of financial influence. By embedding cryptocurrency into the fabric of his storytelling, Kendrick contributed to a broader normalization of Bitcoin within popular culture and helped translate crypto’s abstractions into tangible cultural cues.

The lyric’s subtlety is notable. Rather than making an overt technical argument, the line uses Bitcoin as a shorthand for cutting through the noise of financial manipulation and the allure of rapid wealth. It nods to rivals who deploy incentives or tactics intended to sway audiences, including competing financial schemes fueled by incentives—some of which are crypto-based. In doing so, the track touched on the tension between authentic creative expression and marketing-driven manipulation, a topic that resonates across the entertainment industry where creators increasingly navigate sponsorships, endorsements, and monetization strategies. The placement in a major artist’s oeuvre elevated Bitcoin from a niche topic to a broader cultural reference point, illustrating how crypto conversations could permeate mainstream music beyond tech circles.

This moment also stimulated discussions about Bitcoin’s evolving role in the cultural mainstream. The integration of crypto-themed language into high-profile music releases signaled a shift in how audiences perceive money, value, and digital assets. It suggested that Bitcoin had moved from being a technical curiosity to a symbol with narrative power—one capable of representing autonomy, financial sovereignty, and the ability to subvert traditional gatekeepers of finance. Even as the lyrics were open to interpretation, they sparked broader conversations about Bitcoin’s function as a cultural artifact and as a potential driver of new storytelling devices within music and media.

The broader implication of Kendrick’s line lies in the way it reflects the ongoing convergence between crypto and popular culture. The fact that Bitcoin could appear in a contemporary hip-hop track signals an alignment of crypto’s perceived ethos—decentralization, resistance to conventional financial systems, and the idea of a new form of wealth—with the core themes that have long animated hip-hop storytelling. This moment, along with other 2024 crossovers, underscores crypto’s capacity to influence language, metaphors, and rhetorical devices across diverse cultural domains. It demonstrates how digital currencies can enrich artistic narratives, while inviting audiences to consider the social and economic ramifications of a world where Bitcoin is a commonplace reference point.

The presence of other artists like Drake, who previously engaged with Bitcoin in different contexts, further illustrates a trend: crypto has become part of the mainstream discourse within music, shaping both perception and conversation about the currency’s potential. While lyrical references alone cannot determine Bitcoin’s fate in the financial world, they do contribute to a broader cultural literacy—an understanding that crypto is not just code or markets but a language through which power, risk, and opportunity are discussed. This cultural integration matters because it helps create a more informed public that can engage with crypto on its own merits, while also recognizing its implications for storytelling, branding, and influence across the entertainment landscape.

The Kendrick Lamar moment, therefore, stands as a clear indicator of crypto’s permeation into mainstream culture. It demonstrates that major artists can act as conduits, translating complex financial technologies into accessible cultural symbols. The result is a more richly textured public conversation about Bitcoin—its potentials, its risks, and its role in the evolving narrative of money in a digital era. As audiences encountered Bitcoin in this musical context, it helped normalize the currency’s presence while simultaneously prompting critical debates about how crypto is used to shape narratives, power, and the reach of wealth in contemporary society.

“America Loves Crypto” concert series takes over swing states: Crypto meets political advocacy through live culture

In the months leading up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Stand With Crypto, a political initiative launched by Coinbase, orchestrated the “America Loves Crypto” concert series to promote crypto-friendly policy proposals and mobilize voters in key swing states. The event series blended entertainment with civic engagement, using the momentum of live performances to create a platform where entertainment and policy intersected in a way that sought to influence public opinion and political outcomes. One of the defining moments of the series was a standout performance by The Black Keys, who delivered a 45-minute set featuring 11 of the band’s most iconic tracks. The energy of a live show, interwoven with the messaging around crypto policy, created a unique atmosphere where music and policy coalesced into a single, experiential narrative about the future of finance.

Beyond the headline performances, the series encompassed a broader strategy that integrated music, culture, and digital assets. Attendees could access food, drinks, and VIP experiences, all facilitated through the use of digital wallets and NFTs. The event’s ticketing and experiential ecosystem were designed to demonstrate practical crypto applications in a high-visibility setting, making the case for crypto adoption through direct consumer interaction. The integration of NFT-based VIP perks and wallet-driven access illustrated how digital assets could operate as functional elements of the live entertainment experience, not merely as speculative investments. The concept of rewarding attendance and engagement through blockchain-enabled incentives resonated with audiences who were curious about the practical use cases of crypto in everyday life.

This approach also highlighted the potential for crypto to shape public perception and policy discourse in more subtle, influential ways. By pairing a familiar entertainment format with crypto branding and policy messaging, the series attempted to demystify the technology and present it as a viable toolkit for consumer empowerment, financial inclusion, and economic policy reform. The blend of entertainment and advocacy captured a broader trend in which tech-centric policy ideas are communicated through culture-forward experiences that appeal to diverse audiences. The result was a dual impact: raising awareness about crypto-friendly policy proposals and creating a tangible demonstration of how crypto wallets, NFTs, and blockchain-based ticketing can operate smoothly in a real-world setting.

From a communications perspective, the series demonstrated how political actors and crypto advocates can craft messaging that is accessible without dumbing down complex concepts. It showcased the potential for large-scale cultural events to become laboratories for demonstrating crypto’s practical uses, from secure ticketing to transparent fundraising models. By leveraging the energy of live performances and the prestige of celebrity-led lineups, the campaign sought to frame crypto as a mainstream tool for participant engagement, economic opportunity, and democratic participation. While the ultimate political impact of the series would depend on a range of factors, the event clearly illustrated crypto’s ability to infiltrate mainstream pop culture as a vehicle for policy discussion and civic engagement.

The America Loves Crypto initiative thus represented a significant moment when entertainment, technology, and policy intersected in a public arena. It offered a vivid example of how crypto can be promoted through culturally resonant experiences while simultaneously educating audiences about practical applications and the potential policy implications of a more widely adopted digital economy. The concert series stood as a case study in how crypto advocates might leverage pop culture to shape public perception, with the ultimate aim of encouraging informed participation in policy debates and supporting a more crypto-literate electorate.

Crypto gets its own Shark Tank with Killer Whales: A reality show that educates while it entertains

2024 marked a new frontier for crypto media with the arrival of Killer Whales, a reality TV program that fused startup pitching with Web3 innovation. The show, produced by Hello Labs, streams on platforms such as Apple TV and Amazon Prime, and centers on crypto entrepreneurs presenting their projects to a panel of industry experts. The panel features notable figures including Anthony Scaramucci and social media influencer Mario Nawfal, whose perspectives add both gravitas and contemporary relevance to the proceedings. Rather than a traditional investment format, Killer Whales emphasizes mentorship and exposure, offering participants an opportunity to accelerate their ventures through a structured marketing and growth program.

This departure from conventional pitch shows signals a broader shift in how media portrays startup culture within the crypto space. The show prioritizes guidance, practical feedback, and real-world pathways to scaling rather than a pure capital-raising dynamic. The emphasis on mentorship aligns with a broader industry trend toward knowledge transfer and ecosystem development as critical factors for success in a rapidly evolving landscape where technical prowess must be paired with strategic outreach. The platform-based distribution also reflects shifting consumption habits, enabling audiences to engage with crypto entrepreneurship in a streaming environment that accommodates deeper dives into project mechanics, tokenomics, governance, and go-to-market strategies.

Killer Whales garnered attention for its blend of business insight and personal storytelling. Viewers were treated to the human side of startup life—the aspirations, tensions, and creative problem-solving that accompany early-stage ventures—while being introduced to core crypto concepts in an approachable format. The program illuminated foundational ideas such as tokenomics, token distribution, governance mechanisms, and the roles of communities in shaping project trajectory. For crypto enthusiasts, the show offered a curated lens on how real-world blockchain ventures are evaluated, pitched, and supported through non-traditional routes to success. For general audiences, it served as an accessible primer on a set of technologies and business models that are often described in technical jargon, thereby broadening the potential audience for crypto literacy.

The advertised incentive structure—swim votes that could unlock a marketing accelerator package from CoinMarketCap valued at up to $100,000—added a tangible, outcome-driven dimension to the show. This element provided a practical illustration of how exposure, mentorship, and strategic partnerships can accelerate a crypto project’s visibility and legitimacy, beyond mere investor funding. It also highlighted the importance of marketing and community-building in the success of blockchain-based ventures, underscoring the fact that the crypto economy depends as much on narrative reach and consumer trust as on technical innovation. By delivering both educational content and entertainment value, Killer Whales positioned itself as a unique bridge between specialized crypto knowledge and mainstream media consumption, inviting broader audiences to engage with core blockchain concepts in a non-threatening, entertaining format.

The blend of educational content with engaging drama gave Killer Whales mass appeal while still keeping its technical core intact. It offered aspiring crypto founders an authentic platform to learn from seasoned professionals, peers, and observers who bring a range of perspectives—from regulatory considerations to marketing efficacy. The show’s format encouraged viewers to think critically about which crypto projects have real potential and which strategies might fail under market scrutiny. In doing so, it contributed to demystifying the cryptocurrency space, helping to destigmatize a field often perceived as opaque or risky for the average consumer. As a cultural product, Killer Whales demonstrated how reality television can double as a pedagogical tool, teaching viewers about blockchain economics, project governance, and the social dynamics that influence project success in a decentralized, rapidly evolving market.

Netflix’s Biggest Heist Ever: Bitcoin’s Bonnie and Clyde chronicles a real-world cybercrime saga

Netflix’s Biggest Heist Ever delves into the high-stakes world of cryptocurrency-related crime by recounting the infamous 2016 Bitfinex hack. The documentary traces the arc of the heist, focusing on the lives of Heather “Razzlekhan” Morgan and Ilya “Dutch” Lichtenstein, the couple accused of laundering billions of dollars in stolen Bitcoin. The storytelling threads interweave suspenseful elements, technical exposition, and personal profiles, turning a complex cybercrime case into a narrative that is accessible to a broad audience. Razzlekhan’s notorious crypto-themed rap videos and the couple’s idiosyncratic public personas added a sensational layer that amplified the web-wide fascination with the Bitfinex incident.

From a technical standpoint, the documentary examines the mechanics of the hack and the subsequent trails of cryptocurrency—how stolen funds moved, laundered, and ultimately challenged law enforcement and regulatory authorities. Interviews with cybersecurity experts, former associates, and law enforcement officials help illuminate the sequence of events, the vulnerabilities exploited, and the systemic implications for the crypto ecosystem. The film presents a case study in how sophisticated cybercrime can exploit digital assets, tracing the steps from initial breach to the broader consequences for market confidence, security practices, and regulatory responses. This perspective reinforces a growing public awareness of the need for robust security, operational transparency, and rigorous compliance within crypto platforms and services.

A notable focal point of the documentary concerns the Lichtenstein-Morgan narrative and potential links to broader geopolitical concerns. The film explores allegations surrounding Lichtenstein’s ties to Russia, drawing attention to the international dimensions of cybercrime and the potential implications for national security. The juxtaposition of a sensational personal saga with serious geopolitical questions creates a compelling tension that engages viewers who might be new to crypto as well as seasoned observers who have followed the regulatory and security conversations for years. By presenting both the dramatic elements of the couple’s personal lives and the technical complexity of the Bitfinex breach, the documentary positioned crypto as a nexus of crime, policy, and digital resilience.

Biggest Heist Ever contributes to the ongoing cultural fascination with crypto-enabled crime and the broader ethics of the digital age. It invites discussion about the balance between innovation and risk, the vulnerabilities of digital finance, and the social dynamics that allow criminal networks to operate across borders in novel ways. The film also raises questions about how traditional institutions respond to cyber threats that leverage the transparency and speed of blockchain technology. For viewers, the documentary provides not only a narrative of a dramatic incident but also a lens into the systemic lessons that the crypto community, regulators, and security professionals must confront to safeguard the integrity of digital assets and the trust of the public.

As 2024 drew to a close, these five examples underscored crypto’s escalating cultural footprint. They showed how a technology rooted in mathematics and finance can become a shared cultural reference, shaping language, media narratives, and public discourse about money, security, power, and policy. From investigative cinema to chart-topping lyrics, political outreach to reality TV education, and true-crime storytelling to large-scale live events, crypto’s presence in pop culture reflected a broader societal shift toward digital assets as a familiar part of everyday life. The year’s crossovers illustrated both the opportunities and challenges of crypto’s mainstream integration, prompting audiences to engage with questions about regulation, adoption, and the evolving relationship between technology and culture.

Conclusion

The year 2024 marked a turning point in crypto’s cultural trajectory, revealing how digital currencies and blockchain concepts have become interwoven with entertainment, media, and public discourse. Across diverse formats—from HBO’s Money Electric to Kendrick Lamar’s GNX, from the America Loves Crypto concert series to Killer Whales, and Netflix’s Biggest Heist Ever—the narrative around crypto evolved from a niche technology discussion into a broad cultural conversation that includes storytelling, policy, education, and entertainment. The convergence of finance, technology, and media created a richer, more complex landscape where audiences can access, interpret, and participate in crypto’s ongoing evolution.

These developments highlight several key takeaways for the future of crypto in pop culture. First, the normalization of crypto concepts in mainstream media helps demystify digital assets for a broader audience, potentially supporting informed decision-making and responsible participation in the crypto economy. Second, the integration of crypto into music, television, and live events demonstrates the potential for practical demonstrations of crypto use cases, such as wallet-based onboarding, tokenized experiences, and consent-based governance structures, to become part of everyday consumer experiences. Third, the involvement of political and policy-oriented efforts alongside entertainment highlights crypto’s growing influence in shaping public discourse and regulatory priorities—an influence likely to expand as markets mature and stakeholders seek clearer frameworks.

As audiences continue to engage with crypto through diverse cultural channels, the industry and policymakers may increasingly focus on balancing innovation with security, transparency, and consumer protection. The experiences of 2024 suggest that crypto’s cultural arc is not a passing trend but a persistent movement that will continue to inform how people understand, value, and interact with digital currencies in the years ahead. The ongoing dialogue—between technologists, creators, regulators, and the public—will shape crypto’s path from niche technology to an enduring element of the cultural mainstream.