Poster for ‘Easy Money,’ the cryptocurrency exposé screening in Portland. (Courtesy of the filmmakers)

PORTLAND, Ore. — Actor Ben McKenzie, best known for his roles in “The O.C.” and “Gotham,” has taken his critique of cryptocurrency to the big screen with Easy Money, a documentary now screening in Portland that likens the crypto boom to “subprime mortgages, but dumber.”

In a recent appearance at a Portland theater, McKenzie sat down with OPB’s Lillian Karabaic, host of “Weekend Edition” and veteran financial reporter, to discuss the film. The event drew a packed crowd of skeptics, enthusiasts, and curious locals eager to unpack the hype surrounding Bitcoin, NFTs, and decentralized finance.

A Former Actor’s Dive into Financial Folly

McKenzie, who has authored the book Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Degeneracy of Modern Finance, didn’t stumble into crypto criticism by accident. “I started looking into it during the pandemic,” he told the audience. “What I found was a system built on speculation, not utility — much like the housing bubble that crashed the economy in 2008.”

The documentary, co-directed by McKenzie and filmmaker Jacob Canfield, features interviews with economists, regulators, and even former crypto insiders who admit the industry’s flaws. It traces crypto’s origins from cypherpunk ideals to today’s multi-trillion-dollar market dominated by hype-driven tokens and celebrity endorsements.

“Crypto is subprime mortgages on steroids. It’s dumber because at least subprime had some tangible asset backing it — houses. Crypto? It’s just code and confidence tricks.”

— Ben McKenzie, Easy Money director and author

Portland Screening Highlights Local Interest

The Portland showing at the Kwame Building on Northeast Killingsworth Street was part of a limited West Coast tour. Attendees included finance professionals from tech firms in the Silicon Forest, as well as members of Portland’s growing blockchain meetup community.

Karabaic, who hosted her financial advice podcast “Oh My Dollar!” from 2016 to 2023, moderated a lively Q&A. She pressed McKenzie on crypto’s potential upsides, like financial inclusion for the unbanked. McKenzie conceded some blockchain tech has merit but argued it’s been hijacked by scammers. “The tech is real; the economics are fantasy,” he said.

Echoes of 2008: Lessons Unlearned?

Drawing parallels to the subprime crisis, Easy Money spotlights figures like Sam Bankman-Fried, whose FTX collapse in 2022 wiped out billions. The film also critiques stablecoins, meme coins like Dogecoin, and the environmental toll of Bitcoin mining, which consumes more energy than some countries.

Recent data underscores the volatility: As of May 2026, Bitcoin trades around $60,000 after a 2025 bull run, but regulators worldwide are cracking down. The U.S. SEC has approved more spot ETFs, yet lawsuits against exchanges like Coinbase continue.

McKenzie isn’t alone in his skepticism. Nobel laureate Paul Krugman has called crypto a ” Ponzi scheme,” while critics like Elizabeth Warren push for stricter oversight. Defenders, including Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, argue the industry is maturing.

What’s Next for Crypto and the Film?

Easy Money has secured distribution deals and is streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime. McKenzie plans more screenings and a follow-up book. In Portland, the event sparked debates on local Reddit threads and X (formerly Twitter), with some calling it “fearmongering” and others praising its clarity.

Karabaic, reflecting on the discussion, noted Portland’s tech-savvy scene makes it fertile ground for such conversations. “We’ve seen bubbles before — dot-com, housing. Crypto feels like the next chapter,” she said.

Call for Caution Amid Hype

As crypto rebounds post-2022 winter, McKenzie urges caution. “Don’t invest what you can’t afford to lose,” he repeated, echoing regulators’ warnings. The film ends with a stark message: Innovation without guardrails leads to ruin.

For Portlanders interested in the full story, additional screenings are scheduled through May. Check local listings or the film’s website for tickets.