TV Shows That Involve Cryptocurrency
Last updated: February 17, 2025
Cryptocurrency has moved beyond just being a finance and tech sector—it has become a part of popular culture. As digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum gain mainstream recognition, TV shows have started featuring cryptocurrency in their storylines.
Some highlight its potential, while others focus on the risks, including scams, hacking, and financial crime. Whether through drama, sci-fi, or documentary storytelling, these shows explore the world of digital money in unique ways. Here are six TV series that incorporate cryptocurrency into their narratives.
StartUp (2016-2018)
StartUp is one of the most well-known TV dramas centred around cryptocurrency. The show follows a group of unlikely partners—Nick Talman, a banker with questionable ethics, Izzy Morales, a gifted coder, and Ronald Dacey, a gang leader—who come together to launch a revolutionary digital currency called GenCoin.
While GenCoin promises financial freedom and decentralisation, the team soon finds itself entangled with corrupt government agents, organised crime, and ruthless investors. These aspects provide some great insights into both how useful and widely embraced crypto is becoming and some of the challenges it still faces.
In the real world, crypto is growing more mainstream all the time. It’s now accepted by many well-known eCommerce sites like Shopify. It’s also being used widely across the real estate industry, meaning you can even pay for a house with cryptocurrency now. Another sector that represents the growth of crypto is iGaming.
With coins like Solana proving immensely popular at digital gambling sites, many of the best online casinos accepting SOL are now setting the standard for modern trends in the industry. According to gaming expert Henry Galway, sites like these allow players to bet using cryptocurrencies like Solana.
At the same time, they leverage blockchain technology to provide niche perks like instant withdrawals, anonymous betting, and no-KYC registrations. However, as a result of all this growth and popularity, players are urged to only play on crypto casino sites that have first been vetted by professionals to avoid scam sites.
Keeping all this in mind, StartUp does a great job of highlighting both the promise and dangers of cryptocurrency. It showcases how digital assets can disrupt traditional finance models and entrenched industries, while also attracting criminals looking to exploit the system.
Throughout its three seasons, StartUp explores themes of power, control, and innovation. It portrays the risks of building a tech company in an unregulated industry and how difficult it can be to avoid legal trouble. For those interested in the darker side of crypto entrepreneurship, StartUp offers an intense, high-stakes drama.
Mr. Robot (2015-2019)
The critically acclaimed series Mr. Robot takes a deep dive into hacking, cybercrime, and digital security. While the show primarily focuses on a hacker group’s attempt to bring down a powerful corporation, cryptocurrency plays a major role in its storyline.
A key plot element is E-Coin, a fictional digital currency created by the sinister corporation E Corp. Unlike Bitcoin, which operates on principles of a decentralised financial system, E-Coin is designed to replace traditional money while keeping financial control in corporate hands. At the same time, hackers in the show use Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for anonymous transactions, illustrating the potential and risks of digital assets.
Mr. Robot offers a realistic portrayal of cyber threats, data privacy issues, and the potential for cryptocurrency to be used in both ethical and unethical ways. The show presents a thought-provoking look at how digital finance could shape the future, making it a must-watch for those interested in cybersecurity and financial technology.
Billions (2016-Present)
The financial drama Billions is set in the high-stakes world of hedge funds and Wall Street, where investors constantly seek new ways to gain an edge. In later seasons, cryptocurrency becomes an important part of the show’s storyline.
Bobby Axelrod, the billionaire hedge fund manager at the centre of Billions, sees digital currency as a way to increase wealth while avoiding traditional banking restrictions. He explores Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for tax evasion, offshore investments, and unregulated trading. The show also delves into the legal battles surrounding digital finance, with government regulators attempting to crack down on illicit crypto dealings.
Through its sharp writing and fast-paced narrative, Billions captures the tension between financial innovation and regulation. It presents cryptocurrency as both an exciting new asset class and a tool for manipulation, reflecting real-world debates about the future of digital finance.
Black Mirror: "Hated in the Nation" (2016)
The dystopian sci-fi series Black Mirror often explores the unintended consequences of technology, and its episode Hated in the Nation includes cryptocurrency as a key element in a chilling murder mystery.
The episode revolves around a social media trend where people vote on who should be punished using a viral hashtag. Unbeknownst to them, the "winners" are actually targeted for assassination. A cryptocurrency-based reward system plays a role, as those responsible for the killings receive payment in digital coins, making the transactions untraceable.
While Hated in the Nation doesn’t focus entirely on cryptocurrency, it raises important questions about privacy, digital anonymity, and the ethical challenges of decentralised finance. It’s a haunting reminder of how emerging technologies, including blockchain, can be used for both innovation and harm.
Dirty Money: "Drug Short" (2018)
The documentary series Dirty Money investigates financial crimes, fraud, and corruption. In the episode Drug Short, cryptocurrency is linked to the illegal drug trade, particularly its role in dark web marketplaces.
The episode explores how cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have been used to facilitate anonymous transactions in online drug markets. It sheds light on how digital currencies can make it difficult for law enforcement to track illegal activity while also examining the ethical dilemmas posed by financial privacy.
Unlike fictional portrayals, Dirty Money presents real-life cases of how cryptocurrency is being used in both legal and illegal ways. It highlights the ongoing struggle between technological advancement and regulation, making it an eye-opening watch for those interested in the impact of digital finance on crime and law enforcement.
The Simpsons: "Frinkcoin" (2020)
The long-running animated series The Simpsons has a history of predicting events and technological trends, and in the episode Frinkcoin, cryptocurrency takes centre stage.
In this episode, Professor Frink creates his own digital currency, Frinkcoin, which quickly becomes more valuable than other financial assets, including Mr. Burns’ fortune. The episode playfully satirises the hype around cryptocurrency, its volatility, and the idea that a decentralised currency could disrupt traditional financial structures.
Though humorous, Frinkcoin touches on real concerns about wealth inequality, financial power, and the unpredictability of digital assets. As one of the most famous animated shows of all time, The Simpsons helps bring cryptocurrency into mainstream pop culture in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Conclusion
As cryptocurrency continues to shape the financial world, its influence on entertainment is growing. TV shows are increasingly incorporating digital assets into their storylines, reflecting both the excitement and controversy surrounding the technology.
From dramas like StartUp and Mr. Robot to investigative documentaries like Dirty Money, these shows offer a fascinating look at the impact of cryptocurrency on society. As blockchain and digital finance evolve, even more TV series will likely explore the world of crypto in the years to come.
