Crypto Makes Waves in Mainstream Media: Key Highlights from 2023
Summary:
This article revisits the various instances in 2023 when cryptocurrency was significantly recognized in mainstream media. Highlights include the featuring of a crypto-inspired balloon at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the unfolding of the high-profile legal saga of Sam "SBF" Bankman-Fried, endorsement of Bitcoin by Actor Jonathan Goldsmith, known for his 'Most Interesting Man in the World' role, John Oliver's in-depth analysis of the cryptocurrency market on his show Last Week Tonight, and the comedic take on Bitcoin mining in a 2023 Futurama episode.
Once upon a time, seeing Bitcoin or Ethereum mentioned in a mainstream media or series looked rare, even news-worthy. It's fascinating to revisit the moments when cryptocurrency moved beyond its own realm and found recognition in popular culture, whether it was on Netflix, a comedy stand-up, or setting off internet trends.
One of the noteworthy moments of 2023 was the grand appearance of an NFT-inspired balloon at the celebrated Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. For the first time in its almost century-long history, the parade featured an element from cryptocurrency and blockchain. The blue cat and milk carton figures from Cool Cats Group's NFT collection were seen majestically floating above by enraptured onlookers from across the nation.
The unfolding saga of the so-called 'Golden Boy of Crypto', Sam 'SBF' Bankman-Fried, was another highlight of the year. Already under the arrest and charges at the start of 2023, his situation worsened as the year wore on. Bankman-Fried made headlines when he was jailed following intimidating interactions with his ex-girlfriend, Caroline Ellison, and subsequently convicted on seven felony counts in November. The former CEO of FTX was a major topic in Michael Lewis' book, Going Infinite, published in the same week his trial began. His high-profile status brought his case into the limelight in mainstream media and gave late-night comedians some fresh fodder.
Jonathan Goldsmith, famed for his 'Most Interesting Man in the World' role in Dos Equis beer commercials from 2006, returned to the screen to endorse Bitcoin. Promoting Bitcoin for Bitwise Asset Management, Goldsmith leveraged his massive commercial audience, adding some humor to the Bitcoin promotion.
John Oliver, the acclaimed host of Last Week Tonight, undertook his second meticulous analysis of cryptocurrency in April, focusing on the 2022 crypto market slump and its fallout, including the decline of FTX, Terra, and Celsius.
The animated sci-fi show Futurama didn't shy away from mining for humor from Bitcoin either. In its 2023 reboot, the show presented a comically exaggerated future where Bitcoin mining surges following the cryptocurrency's recovery after a millennial slump. The episode is riddled with crypto-related humor, including moving to a fictitious Doge City and miners using so much energy that they're changing the atmosphere.
Published At
1/2/2024 12:55:10 AM
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