The Wolves of Fraud Street: Crypto’s Enron Era With Ben McKenzie

The Wolves of Fraud Street: Crypto’s Enron Era With Ben McKenzie

From The Lincoln Project by The Lincoln Project

May 12, 2026 · 47 min

About this episode

Ben McKenzie joins Rick Wilson to discuss the fraudulent aspects of the crypto industry and the impending legislation in Congress.

Actor-turned-crypto-whistleblower Ben McKenzie joins Rick Wilson for a brutal, no-bullshit takedown of the crypto industry just as Congress barrels toward two major crypto bills hitting the floor this week on Capitol Hill. From meme coins and “decentralized finance” scams to billion-dollar rugpulls, political bribery, and money laundering dressed up in Patagonia vests and TED Talk jargon, Rick and Ben break down how crypto became the preferred playground for grifters, oligarchs, libertarian weirdos, and every guy who says “bro” before pitching financial collapse. They unpack why Washington suddenly wants to legitimize the casino after years of fraud, who’s cashing in, and why the American taxpayer always seems to end up holding the empty bag while crypto bros flee to Dubai. It’s the great Ponzi scheme of our time — powered by hype, corruption, influencer cults, and vibes-based economics — and the wheels may finally be coming off in public. • • • • • Ben McKenzie is on X @@ben_mckenzie. His movie, ‘Everyone is Lying to You for Money,’ is playing now in select theaters. His best-selling book, ‘Easy Money,’ is out now, wherever fine books are sold. Rick Wilson is on X at…

People in this episode

Host: Rick Wilson

Guest: Ben McKenzie

Topics covered

  • crypto industry
  • fraud
  • political bribery
  • money laundering
  • Ponzi scheme
  • legislation
  • financial collapse

Keywords

  • crypto
  • fraud
  • legislation
  • Ponzi scheme
  • financial collapse
  • political bribery
  • money laundering

Sponsors

Quince

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Lincoln Project, Patagonia, TED Talk, Bluesky, Substack

Books & works: Everyone is Lying to You for Money, Easy Money

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