NPR.

This is the indicator from Planet Money, I'm Wayland Wong.

Last year, the crypto industry fell on some hard times.

Prices tanked and a bunch of companies collapsed.

This so-called crypto-winter has been validating for critics of the industry, who say crypto

is nothing more than a new form of gambling, or even outright fraud.

And one high-profile voice in this crowd comes from an unlikely background, not finance

or software or law, but show business.

My name is Ben McKenzie and I'm an actor who wrote a book on cryptocurrency.

And you're also a six-time Teen Choice Award nominee.

I am.

One day I will win that damn surfboard.

Ben McKenzie, star of one of my favorite teeny-bopper dramas of your, the OC, he has spent

the last couple of years researching cryptocurrency and trying to persuade people that it's a scam.

He even teamed up with the journalist to write a book.

It's out this week and it's called Easy Money, cryptocurrency, casino capitalism, and

the golden age of fraud.

Today on the show, Ben McKenzie tells us about the unexpected journey he took from actor

to outspoken crypto skeptic.

Cryptocurrency, here we come, after the break.

Ben McKenzie's first major role was in the prime time teen drama, The OC, which ran

for four seasons on Fox.

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