Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud (with Ben McKenzie)
Nov 11, 2025
Ben McKenzie, notable for his roles in The O.C. and Gotham, dives deep into the murky waters of cryptocurrency in his new book, Easy Money. He uncovers how a mix of hype and libertarian ideology inflated crypto into a trillion-dollar bubble while illuminating the psychology behind its cult-like following. Discussing its flaws as real money and comparing it to legalized gambling, McKenzie warns of the systemic risks posed by corporate-issued stablecoins. His insights reveal why many still cling to crypto despite its damaging realities.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
On-Camera Interviews With Crypto Figures
- McKenzie and Jacob Silverman interviewed top crypto figures including Sam Bankman-Fried before the collapse.
- He recorded on-camera interviews with fraudsters like Alex Mashinsky, who later received prison time.
Failed Bitcoin ATM Experiment
- Nick Hanauer tried buying $50 of Bitcoin at an ATM to demonstrate usability and the machine failed repeatedly.
- He used the failed attempts to show Bitcoin had limited real-world spending utility.
Crypto As A Self-Sustaining Bubble
- Crypto behaves like a naturally occurring Ponzi-style speculative bubble driven by price momentum.
- Rising prices attract more buyers, inflating value far beyond any intrinsic utility.
