The OC Star Turned Crypto Critic: 'It's the Largest Ponzi Scheme in History'

Ben McKenzie, best known for his role as Ryan Atwood in The OC, has become a vocal critic of cryptocurrency. In an interview with ABC News, he explained how he became disillusioned with the industry and why he's now calling it 'the largest Ponzi scheme in history'.

McKenzie, who holds a degree in economics, first got interested in cryptocurrency during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was bored and looking for something to do. A friend suggested he invest, but McKenzie soon realized that the idea of deregulating currencies wasn't the solution to post-GFC malaise.

'I think that's really a fiction,' he said. 'Transferring the trust that is money from the public sphere to the private sphere seems like a really bad idea.'

McKenzie decided to 'short' cryptocurrency, meaning he invested money betting its price would go down. This turned out to be lucrative in 2022, with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies crashing.