Love them or hate them, cryptocurrencies have become a constant presence in our lives. It doesn’t really matter if you’re a crypto enthusiast or not, the hype that has surrounded this emerging asset class over these past few years has made it impossible for you to ignore them. In a way, digital currencies are emblematic of our modern times where tech advances and innovations have permeated nearly every sector of the economy and all areas of our lives. So, if you want to understand the world today better, you should also learn about these assets and how they could impact us in the long run.
Still, it’s difficult to keep up and make sense of all the craziness that’s happening in the crypto space. With Bitcoin and Ethereum price constantly shifting, new crypto projects emerging all the time, scandals and bankruptcies stirring the pot and analysts making contradictory predictions, there’s a lot of information coming from the crypto front to dissect and digest.
It’s true that there are now more educational resources than ever covering a variety of crypto-related topics, from the technology behind digital assets and the latest developments in the market to crypto investment strategies and the risks they imply. Unfortunately, much of the content available online is riddled with tech terms and crypto-specific lingo, making it hard for non-technical audiences to understand the concepts that are presented to them.
But fear not, there’s a much easier and more entertaining way to familiarize yourself with digital currencies and learn the ins and outs of the industry without wracking your brains: movies. The crypto hype didn’t go unnoticed by filmmakers and producers who found the subject intriguing enough to cover it in movies and documentaries. So, if you’re ready for some educational entertainment, here’s a list of the best movies and documentaries to watch if you want to level up your crypto knowledge.
The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
If you’re having a hard time comprehending the intricacies of the crypto space and you want to find out how it all started, The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin provides a compelling introduction to the world of digital currencies. Although it was released in 2014 when the industry was much younger and the crypto boom was yet to happen, the documentary produced by Ben Bledsoe and Patrick Lope does a great job at explaining the basic concepts and technology behind Bitcoin, as well as the purpose for its creation. It’s an interesting depiction of Bitcoin’s early years and an objective account of the pros and cons that crypto provides, told from the perspective of a computer programmer.
Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
This hour-long film released in 2015 takes a different approach, as it offers a fascinating insight not only into the development of digital currencies but also into the evolution of money from the earliest days to modern times, while also providing a comprehensive portrayal of the current financial system and its flaws. The movie doesn’t shy away from addressing sensitive topics such as the governments’ involvement in money creation or how central banks and financial institutions’ practices can impact inflation. You also get to hear about crypto straight from the horse’s mouth, with experts like Vitalik Buterin or Roger Ver offering their perspectives on digital currencies, their potential and how they might impact the financial system.
Trust Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018)
For tech-minded individuals who want to delve deeper into the origins of crypto and find out what’s going on behind the scenes, Trust Machine: The Story of Blockchain is the movie to watch. Although blockchain is a relatively new technology whose creation is tied to that of cryptocurrencies, there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. The inner mechanics and complexities of blockchain as well as its massive transformative power are on full display in this documentary produced by Alex Winter, so it’s definitely one you should check out.
Netflix Explained: Cryptocurrencies (2018)
Netflix has also joined in on the crypto craze by dedicating a whole episode of their Explained series to this intriguing asset class. Despite being quite short (14 minutes), the episode comprises a lot of information, so you can think of it as a crash course in crypto. Besides, most people have no intention of becoming crypto experts but rather grasp the basics of this technology so they can understand what it’s all about. Therefore, if you lack the time, patience or desire to go through a lengthy documentary, you’ll surely appreciate the swift and concise way in which this film delivers its message.
Crypto (2019)
With a pretty impressive lineup including Kurt Russel, Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth, and Alexis Bledel, Crypto serves some interesting insights into the elaborate and sometimes dangerous world of cryptocurrencies with a healthy slice of action. The plot follows an anti-money laundering analyst (Kurt Russel) as he tries to untangle a web of money laundering conspiracies and fraud involving crypto which eventually leads him to uncover much bigger secrets than he initially imagined. Crypto is not exactly a cinematic masterpiece, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat with all the unexpected twists and turns. And most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to see how cryptocurrencies could be used in real life, and get a better perspective of the industry as a whole.
There are obviously plenty of other movies that are either entirely based on or touch on the topic of cryptocurrencies, and more will probably be produced as the industry continues to develop and gain ground in the financial sphere. But if you’re looking for a smooth introduction to the fascinating world of digital assets, any of the movies and documentaries mentioned above is going to help you gain a more comprehensive understanding of the cryptocurrency phenomenon.