Ben McKenzie Urges U.S. Senators to Oppose CLARITY Act

Lobbying as Congress Weighs a Major Bill

The reported meetings place McKenzie directly in the middle of one of the most consequential crypto policy debates before Congress. The CLARITY Act is described as one of the most significant legislative proposals focused on market structure for digital assets. Supporters of the measure say it would establish a clearer regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies in the United States.

Terrett reported that McKenzie’s goal was to persuade senators to reject the bill. The effort comes at a sensitive stage for the legislation, as lawmakers continue debating whether and how to create more explicit rules for the industry.

From TV Actor to Crypto Critic

McKenzie first became widely known for playing Ryan Atwood in the 2000s television drama The O.C. In recent years, however, he has built a second public profile as a vocal opponent of cryptocurrency speculation and promotion.

His criticism of the sector began around 2020, when he said he grew skeptical of celebrity endorsements and the rapid flow of money into digital assets. That work eventually led to the documentary Everyone Is Lying to You for Money. The film examines crypto through conversations with industry critics, retail investors who lost money, and former FTX chief executive Sam Bankman-Fried.

Earlier this year, while promoting the documentary on The Daily Show, McKenzie argued that public faith in crypto often rests too heavily on software rather than on the people operating it. Referring to his interview with Bankman-Fried before the collapse of FTX, he said a single code change allowed customer assets to be borrowed, which he presented as evidence against the idea that code alone can be trusted.

Consumer Protection Argument

Although McKenzie has repeatedly attacked cryptocurrencies, he has said his main concern is consumer protection, not a blanket prohibition on digital assets. His documentary places particular emphasis on people harmed by failed crypto firms including Celsius. He has argued that speculative marketing in the sector has been directed heavily at young men.

In public remarks, McKenzie has criticized advertising that framed crypto participation as a test of confidence or masculinity. He cited the broader culture of promotion around the industry as part of the problem he sees in digital asset markets.

Backlash From the Industry

McKenzie’s activism has also drawn sharp responses from crypto executives. In April, Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty criticized McKenzie’s documentary as a “tired narrative.” Alderoty argued that the film treats the industry too broadly and overlooks what he described as practical uses of digital assets by tens of millions of Americans, including for business activity, income diversification and financial access.

That disagreement reflects a larger divide now surrounding the CLARITY Act. Backers of the bill argue that clearer rules are needed after years of uncertainty, while critics such as McKenzie are using the congressional debate to warn that stronger investor protections should come first or take a different form.

The lobbying push reported Tuesday underscores how the fight over crypto regulation in Washington now extends beyond industry executives and policymakers to public figures who have made digital assets a personal cause.