Best Bitcoin Documentaries of All Time

December 19, 2022

In only a little over a decade, Bitcoin has risen to become an extremely influential entity, not only in providing a revolutionary new monetary system, providing people with the power to control their finances with no government control, but also in creating extensive projects across the world, sporting incredible investments, all taking inspiration from bitcoins signature “blockchain” technology.

Bitcoin is such an intricate system in itself, combined with all that it has achieved and the future it holds, it can be hard to wrap your head around how it operates and why it is such a monumental creation. A great way to increase your knowledge and understanding of Bitcoin is through a documentary, having an audio-visual experience makes it much easier to take in the information, and with little effort too!

These films can help equip you with the knowledge necessary to take that next step on your cryptocurrency journey; whether you are looking to become an investor, understand more about the technology behind Bitcoin, or maybe you are just interested in what everyone is talking about, this list is for you!

These documentaries, among others, can be found across multiple on demand streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, as well as other video streaming services such as Youtube.

What you'll learn 👉

1. The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)

Produced by the studio Gravitas Venturas, directed by Nicholas Mross, The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin is a 96-minute, award-winning American documentary on Bitcoin.

The documentary shows computer programmer Daniel Mross (Brother of the previously mentioned director) and his intense fascination with Bitcoin’s ability to revolutionise how money is used in society, and how it will impact the world as we know it.

It also features the CEO of the Coinbase, Brian Armstrong, along with software developer Gavin Andresen.

2. Banking on Bitcoin (2016)

Also produced by the studio Gravitas Venturas, though in this instance directed by Christopher Cannucciari, the documentary focuses on the origins of bitcoin and how it has developed to become one of the most ground-breaking creations of the 21^st Century.

The documentary also shows us some of those who saw Bitcoin’s potential and became adopters of the technology early on, with the film featuring Erik Voorhees, Charlie Shrem, Gavin Andresen and the famed venture capitalist Olympians, the Winklevoss twins. Banking on Bitcoin has a run-time of 90 minutes.

3. Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know It (2015)

Directed by a pair of co-directors, Torsten Hoffmann and Michael Watchulonis, and produced by the studio Distribber. This hour-long documentary stars some of the biggest names in bitcoin, such as Andreas M. Antonopoulos and Bitcoin.com creator Roger Ver.

The documentary talks about the history of money and how finance functions and has done in the past, and how this applies to Bitcoin and how it benefits our society. The documentary highlights how Bitcoin can solve problems we face with the current monetary system, with Andreas M. Antonopoulos calling the current banking system “parasitic”, with Bitcoin being the answer to fix it.

4. Bitcoin in Uganda (2014)

This short, 5-minute film produced by Bitcoin Film tells us the story of Ugandan student Ronald who receives money from his family in the United States to support himself. Due to predatory banks in Uganda Ronald’s family decide to use Bitcoin to send Ronald the money, by doing so he is able to receive it faster and with much less fees, making it much easier for him to get his money and whilst also giving the family more control as they are no longer having to deal with the banks in Uganda.

5. Bitcoins in Argentina (2013)

Another short film produced by Bitcoin Film, this time in Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires we are shown how Bitcoin is successfully providing a solution to rising inflation in the Argentine Peso, and the lack of options for residents of the country as there is restrictions on the purchasing of other more stable currencies and physical assets such as gold.

6. Bitcoins Liberating Organic Farmers (2013)

Our last shorter documentary on this list created by Bitcoin Film, in Argentina once again, we see farmers utilising Bitcoin as a payment method rather than the traditional PayPal or credit cards as they come with high fees, and delays for receiving the money. It meant the farmers could sell without a middleman either, reaching their market directly, whilst being in full control of the finances of their business.

7. The Bitcoin Gospel (2015)

Produced by Indigenous Films and Directed by Hans Busstra, the 48 minute film discusses the possibility that Bitcoin could be the next chapter in the world’s monetary system, an ingenious invention which could help us escape the grip of the government, banks, borders and other things that stop us from having full control over our money.

The documentary also goes over the impact on criminality that Bitcoin has, despite eliminating the ability to counterfeit, it is greatly assisting criminals in making their ill-gotten gains untraceable.

8. The Bitcoin Experiment (2016)

The 39 minute film is produced by the studio Syndicado and directed by Pal Karleson. The Bitcoin Experiment takes us on a road trip, starting in the Norwegian capital of Oslo, going through the more southern Danish capital, Copenhagen, and then back up north through various parts of Sweden, finishing in a small community in the far north called Boden, in Norbotten. The journey shows us different projects, spaces, and people who are involved with bitcoin, along with other cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. The film shows us a wide array of people all the way from every-day users and sceptics to people working in the government, helping to gain multiple viewpoints on the phenomenon, and emphasising how Bitcoin affects us all.

9. Magic Money (2017)

Magic Money asks the unanswerable question; is Bitcoin the way forward?

Produced by the studio Journeyman Pictures, directed by Tim Delmastro and starring Jeff Berwick, Tone Vays and Trace Mayer. Magic Money looks at the possibility that Bitcoin could be the answer to the constant threat of financial instability and help us regain control from the seemingly predatory banks that control our finances. It looks at why some nations around the world are receiving bitcoin technology differently, with specific looks into the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, two very dissimilar nations.

The 55-minute film provides a look into a future where our money is used how we choose, and how this can be achieved through Bitcoin.

10. The Blockchain and Us (2017)

Produced, directed by, and starring Manuel Stagars, also featuring David Birch and Perianne Boring, The Blockchain And Us is a documentary focused mainly on blockchain and is said to be the first documentary to do so, earning itself many nominations and awards all around the globe. Due to its success, it has also been translated into an additional 8 languages!

The film in just over half an hour, speaks with software developers, cryptologists, researchers, consultants, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, authors, politicians and futurists from across the world. Trying to work out what blockchain technology can do for society, and how it impacts each and every one of us.

The documentary also features all of its interviews in full length on their official website https://blockchain-documentary.com/

11. The Bitcoin Story (2015)

Directed by Bhu Srinivasan and produced by the studio Janson Media. The Bitcoin Story provides us with a series of intricate conversations centring around Bitcoin and blockchain technology on a more technical level, its political impact and how it would change how funds are transferred around the world on a range of scales.

The 35-minute film speaks to individuals in a range of backgrounds including entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and those involved with blockchain technology. Featuring the famed Gavin Andresen, Bennett Hoffman, and Peter Vessenes.

12. The Bitcoin Phenomenon (2014)

Directed once again by Bhu Srinivasan, though this time at SQ1.tv, we are shown the clash between those who are looking to take control of blockchain technology and bitcoin with innovative ideas and projects, and those who have been with Bitcoin since day 1 and do not believe it should be in this space.

The Bitcoin Phenomenon features many prominent figures in the Bitcoin space. This includes the previously mentioned Gavin Andresen, the venture capitalist Jeremy Liew, Fred Ehrsam the co-founder of Coinbase, the biggest Bitcoin exchange in the world, Erik Voorhees who founded the cryptocurrency trading platform ShapeShift, and lastly Peter Vessenes, the head of the Bitcoin Foundation.

13. Ulterior States (2015)

Ulterior states, An IAmSatoshi Production, is an “argumentative documentary project” directed by Tomer Kantor. The film has been produced over the course of three years. Kantor says the film is based on his perceptions of the cryptocurrency space.

Ulterior States looks at many angles, looking at the equality and neutrality of the decentralisation that Bitcoin offers to its users. The film shows how code is more than just text on a screen, it can be a form of activism. We are shown more than just Bitcoin, but also cryptocurrencies in general along with the root of all these creations; blockchain technology. Ulterior States is 53 minutes long.

When Kantor described his film, he said: “The participatory development, production and post ‘guerilla film-making methods’, kept bouncing between (non-academic), literature research, video interviews and studio sessions. This investigative process allowed me to have real-life conversations with some thought leaders within the Bitcoin ecosystem. Being a one-man team allowed for easier access to the subjects, in an attempt to portray the community behind the message to adopt a network. The enthusiasm and commitment that saturate through the lens in many parts of the film, expose how the adopters of Bitcoin want to explore, to probe and, to show the world, something important, otherwise overlooked.”

14. Bitcoin: Beyond the Bubble (2018)

The most recent entry on this list, Bitcoin: Beyond the Bubble, is written and directed by Tim Delmastro. This film shows us some of the most influential and knowledgeable minds in bitcoin, with Trace Mayer, Tone Vays and Erik Voorhees all featuring in the documentary.

This film is distinctly good at explaining the complex ways in which bitcoin and blockchain technology operate, in a simple and easy to understand manner, making it perfect for people somewhat unfamiliar with the technology. Many questions and critics of Bitcoin are answered, explaining why Bitcoin could truly be the money of the future, and why it isn’t just some new, hip, financial asset that all millennials are talking about. We are also shown how this new technology benefits not only your everyday person, but also those living in impoverished conditions, and how Bitcoin can help them take control of and improve their life. Lastly, this 35-minute film paints a bright future where we can be in charge of our own money, with no influence from nosy banks and such, if Bitcoin is adopted.

We hope by creating this list you were able to help you find the right documentary for you. Bitcoin, and especially cryptocurrency and blockchain technology is very young, which is why we decided to bring together so many films from different angles and backgrounds so you can get a good grasp on what this revolutionary technology is, and possibly how it can benefit you now, even today. These documentaries perfectly illustrate how Bitcoin and the blockchain could become major parts of our lives in a short period of time, and we are glad to help spread the word about this life changing invention.

Here is a quick recap of our list:

· The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)

· Banking on Bitcoin (2016)

· Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know It (2015)

· Bitcoin in Uganda (2014)

· Bitcoins in Argentina (2013)

· Bitcoins Liberating Organic Farmers (2013)

· The Bitcoin Gospel (2015)

· The Bitcoin Experiment (2016)

· Magic Money (2017)

· The Blockchain and Us (2017)

· The Bitcoin Story (2015)

· The Bitcoin Phenomenon (2014)

· Ulterior States (2015)

· Beyond the Bubble (2018)