Actor and director Ben McKenzie released the documentary "Everyone Is Lying to You for Money" in a limited U.S. theatrical release on April 17, 2026 [1].

The film seeks to expose what McKenzie and his producers describe as the "criminal DNA" of Bitcoin. By linking the cryptocurrency industry to fraud, money laundering, and high-profile scandals, the project challenges the legitimacy of the digital asset market [1, 2].

McKenzie uses the documentary to trace a hidden role played by Jeffrey Epstein during the early rise of Bitcoin [1]. The narrative suggests that the industry was built upon a foundation of deception. A reviewer from Variety said the film reveals why cryptocurrency is so confusing because it is all designed to sell an illusion [2].

Beyond the focus on Epstein, the documentary investigates other alleged criminal connections within the industry, including references to Sam Bankman-Fried [1, 2]. Some reports indicate McKenzie secured an interview with Bankman-Fried for the project [3].

This release follows a period of public advocacy by McKenzie. He previously appeared on The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart on Aug. 14, where he blasted Bitcoin [4]. He has also conducted interviews via YouTube for Hasan Minhaj’s series, and provided testimony before Congress regarding cryptocurrency criticism [1, 4].

While some sources emphasize the specific link to Epstein, others describe the film as a broader takedown of the entire cryptocurrency sector [1, 2]. The documentary argues that the industry's structure inherently facilitates the types of scams and illicit activities identified in the film [2].

“Cryptocurrency is so confusing: because it's all designed to sell an illusion.”

The documentary arrives during a period of intense regulatory scrutiny of digital assets. By attempting to tie the origin of Bitcoin to figures like Jeffrey Epstein and the collapse of FTX via Sam Bankman-Fried, McKenzie is framing cryptocurrency not as a financial innovation, but as a tool for systemic financial crime. This narrative adds cultural pressure to the ongoing legal and legislative debates regarding crypto oversight in the U.S.