Cryptocurrencies haven’t only had an impact on the finance sector, they’ve also captured the imagination of filmmakers. Now we’re seeing many movies with cryptocurrencies taking center stage.
What makes cryptocurrencies so appealing to filmmakers? It’s all about the mystery and high stakes. The anonymity of crypto transactions and the potential for massive gains, create the perfect recipe for nail-biting suspense.
1. Crypto (2019) – A Deep Dive into Cryptocurrency’s Many Uses
One of the first action movies to address the cryptocurrency phenomenon directly is Crypto, which explores the full spectrum of the potential virtual currencies have. This movie is set in a small town in New York and follows an anti-money laundering agent investigating a Russian mafia that uses crypto.
This movie doesn’t stop at just exploring the black-market uses of crypto but also its legitimate uses. This adds additional realism to this work as much like fiat currencies, virtual coins are used by many ordinary people to shop online, invest, and enjoy their favorite casino games.
These days cryptocurrencies are used for everyday transactions. For example, you can now use cryptocurrencies at a Ripple Casino. Not only do these gambling platforms offer players the opportunity to deposit and withdraw in cryptocurrencies like Ripple, Bitcoin, and Ethereum but players have access to a wide variety of gaming options like blackjack, slots, and poker and all transactions are private.
This would make the perfect storyline for the main character in this movie, as he explores the complexities of cryptocurrencies. In the film, however, his investigation reveals a side many crypto enthusiasts are not aware of, which is how digital assets can be traced despite the perceptions of being entirely anonymous.
By diving into this side of cryptocurrencies, Crypto serves as a good example of how people who use it for nefarious purposes can land themselves in hot water. Its excellent attempt at exploring the risks and opportunities they come with also gives audiences an insight into the challenges that regulators and financial investigators face.
2. Hacker (2016) – Crime in the Dark Web
Hacker, which delves into the murky underworld of the dark web through the eyes of the main character, who uses various aliases such as Anonymous. The protagonist faces some economic struggles, which prompt him to use his technical skills to pursue various schemes on the dark web, such as identity theft and money laundering.
As the movie progresses, though, we see how the plot starts to center on how digital technology, especially cryptocurrencies, has become woven into the operations of various illicit activities. Mostly though, what the movie highlights is how Bitcoin became the preferred currency of this underground economy.
Beyond its engaging storyline, Hacker stands out for several reasons. The movie features suspenseful high-stakes chase scenes and intense hacking battle scenes that keep viewers on edge. Adding to the tension is the main character’s constant struggle to maintain his anonymity, which heightens the impact of these thrilling scenes.
This battle for anonymity resembles the struggle many crypto users face as they try to keep their sensitive personal data private. In the movie, this relatability and tension add another layer of depth to the story.
Also, as the protagonist dives deeper into the digital underworld, this film sheds light on why Bitcoin is so appealing. The characters in this film find the transactional anonymity of this asset particularly appealing, as it portrays the cryptocurrency as untraceable, making it perfect for acquiring illegal gains.
However, the movie is also a cautionary tale. It does more than just portray the moral and legal temptations that digital currencies present. Instead, it paints a vivid picture of the risks that users who want to utilize crypto for illegal purposes as well.
3. Silk Road (2021) – The Rise and Fall of a Crypto Empire
Silk Road is a movie where cryptocurrencies play an important role, showcasing how these assets were used on the actual online black market platform that had the same name. The movie’s storyline is based on the true story of Ross Ulbricht and how he created the Silk Road marketplace.
The film also depicts how crypto started as a tool to facilitate freedom and secrecy but ended up being abused, enabling corruption and crime. It portrays Bitcoin as a secure and untraceable way to carry out online exchanges, an aspect that’s essential in making the Silk Road platform successful.
In reality, Bitcoin transactions are not entirely anonymous as they’re portrayed in the movie, they are pseudonymous. However, the technology behind the coin did give its users a sense of invisibility in its early days, which made it popular among the real Silk Road merchants and buyers.
The movie shows how Ulbricht, played by Nick Robinson, created the Silk Road marketplace, as a libertarian project, where users could freely buy and sell without government intervention.
It also depicts Bitcoin emerging on the platform as a way to go around traditional banking systems that are surveilled by law enforcement agencies. This freedom quickly drew the attention of the FBI though, who became increasingly interested in unraveling the marketplace and the complexities of its cryptocurrency transactions.
Conclusion
These movies do more than just highlight the intrigue surrounding cryptocurrencies, they also showcase their versatility as powerful storytelling elements. Throughout the films, cryptocurrencies serve various narrative purposes. They’ve been portrayed as tools for anonymous transactions, vehicles for cybercrimes, and even symbols of off-the-grid lifestyles in action films. By incorporating cryptocurrencies into their plots, these films not only entertain but also reflect the complex role cryptocurrencies play in our world.