Crypto’s strangest bird caught on camera: The deep fall of Bitboy France wants to make leasing of e-cars possible from 100 euros per month

Now he stands there, alone, in his undershirt. He no longer has a cameraman, so he films himself, filming his own arrest and streaming it on the internet. 2,500 people watched live as Ben Armstrong, also known as Bitboy, was arrested Monday by officers from the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department. The once most famous crypto influencer has hit rock bottom. But no one is really surprised.

Armstrong is the Donald Trump of the crypto scene: loud, flashy and without any shame. A market barker in his own right, but with the promise of only wanting the best for his followers.

Benjamin Charles Armstrong says he first came into contact with Bitcoin in 2012. The story of how this came about varies. At one point it is said that he had already invested. On the other hand, he only used Bitcoin as a means of payment for his online ticketing system. The only thing that is coherent in these stories is that the Bitcoin and crypto train will first get up to speed without him. Armstrong sees himself robbed of a historic opportunity – he can’t let that happen again. In 2018, he started adding crypto content to social media channels.

Ben’s star really rose during the last bull market of 2019. The courses are firing on all cylinders. The crazier the project, the higher the return. The only requirement is publicity – and Ben can deliver. Parallel to the projects, crypto influencers are springing up like crazy these days. And again, what floats on top is not the best quality, but the loudest performance. And Armstrong has mastered it.

Bitboy’s performance is convincing. He praises projects without batting an eyelid with words like: “What if there was a project that was guaranteed to generate a profit?” He gives his flock what they want: the hope of making a quick buck. The choice of words is subtle. Only those who listen carefully will notice the cleverly installed subjunctive. The obligatory reference that this is “not financial advice” is never missing from his videos – but is so twisted that the irony and seriousness sends the user down a slippery slope.

At the same time, he seems close to the people, movingly explains his past mistakes and wipes his tears with the sleeve of his Gucci trainer. He publishes his crypto portfolio several times: at the end of 2021 he owns 135 Bitcoins and 1500 Ether. His net worth is estimated at $20 to $30 million and millions follow him on social media.

And Bitboy is getting bolder and bolder, discussing projects that will reward him handsomely. He claims he can make $100,000 a month from promotional work alone. But once the videos are published, the projects lose significant value within a very short time. Bitboy’s reputation lags even further.

When YouTuber Erling Mengshoel Jr. alias Atozy Bitboy repeatedly calls a fraudster in a video – and substantiates these claims – he explodes. He is suing Atozy, including for defamation.

But the case turned out to be a bull’s eye. Jordanian fish, a British podcaster with an impeccable reputation in the scene, is donating $100,000 to Atozy’s defense. Also ZachXBT, a Twitter user (now X) who specializes in fraud detection, sides with Atozy. Bitboy withdraws the charges.

Bitboy is now increasingly embroiled in personal battles with established personalities in the scene, seems to have purged himself and now suddenly wants to do his own investigative research. When the FTX construct collapses (which he advertised weeks before), he travels to the Bahamas to confront FTX boss Sam Bankman-Fried. He goes to the gym and wants to change his appearance, replace his muscles with big ones, become a Chad. But here too he chooses the path of least resistance and resorts to steroids.

At the end of 2022, Armstrong says he will receive a letter from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He doesn’t understand the shot across the bow and publicly mocks the authority and its chairman Gary Gensler.

In March 2023, a class action lawsuit will be filed against several crypto influencers – including Ben Armstrong – who actively promoted the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX. In a surprise twist, he will be dropped from the charges in September. There are many things that point to a comparison.

The real blow came a month later: tired of his scandals, he launched his own company Bitboy on the streets. And the allegations of the production company (Hit Network) are serious: misuse of “resources”, attacks on employees, financial damage to employees. In one case, he allegedly threw a protein shake at an employee.

Like Donald Trump, Ben Armstrong is a master at portraying himself as a victim. In a tearful video he appears reformed, admitting to using steroids and cheating on his wife. His mistress, a woman named Cassie, received $50,000 a month from the Hit Network.

But that’s all in the past now, Bitboy swears. He will get better. He wishes only the best for Hit Network and its associates… only to sue them shortly afterwards. More than $150,000 was raised as he called on his fans to support him financially. Not only was his money taken, but also his Lamborghini.

Yesterday he wanted to get this back from a former employee via social media – and an hour earlier he announced his stunt.

He films himself for more than 30 minutes in front of his former employee’s building. Then the police intervene. When asked during his arrest if he had a weapon, he stated he had one in his vehicle. Is anyone else there? Yes, a woman named Cassie.

After eight hours in custody, Ben Armstrong, formerly Bitboy, was released on bail. It has been glowing ever since Tweet X profile. He will never abandon Cassie. And Hit Network is a criminal gang.

To be continued – at least as long as there are fans who support him financially.