Recent news has shed light on a surprising revelation: Ben Armstrong, the face behind one of the cryptocurrency world’s most prosperous trading shows, BitBoy Crypto, is not truly BitBoy himself. The abrupt end to Armstrong’s association with the show has led to a loss of the moniker and brand he had established.
The situation bears a resemblance to discovering that the beloved Pee-wee Herman was in fact just an ordinary middle-aged man frequenting a playhouse, albeit far less endearing. Armstrong, or should we say BitBoy, had gained prominence as a significant influencer in trading circles, albeit a polarizing one.
The question now on many minds is who will fill the void left by BitBoy, if such a replacement is even possible. Moreover, concerns have arisen about the prolonged duration it took to part ways with someone carrying significant baggage. Encountering Armstrong on social media often evoked thoughts of crypto’s “enfants terribles,” an emblem of how hype can taint both markets and technology.
No stranger to controversies, the ongoing Battle over BitBoy appears to be just commencing. Armstrong, allegedly locked out of the official BitBoy account on the social media platform once known as Twitter, hinted at irregularities surrounding his departure. His posts from an account tied to his personal token $BEN revealed a shift from managing an account boasting a million followers to communicating through an unaffiliated altcoin sharing his name.
In his post, Armstrong confirmed the ongoing upheaval at BitBoy Crypto & Hit Network. The peculiar situation unfolded with a sense of chaos similar to Pee-wee’s playhouse. Esteemed figures within the crypto realm, including Wendy O, a crypto educator and co-host of CoinDesk TV’s The Hash, showed support and offered condolences for Armstrong’s situation.
However, Armstrong’s response, promising to reveal details of a mutiny and betrayal, appears to be yet another in a series of misjudged media maneuvers by the day-trading crypto influencer, who has often found himself at odds with the industry. From ill-fated lawsuits against YouTuber Atozy to allegations of plagiarism and intellectual property infringement, BitBoy seemed to excel in attracting negative attention.
Fellow YouTuber Wendy appeared to suggest that Armstrong’s departure was far from a closed chapter in her initial reaction video titled “⛔INSANE drama BITBOY leaves crypto? Bitcoin WARNING.” The intrigue surrounding the situation promises to spawn a multitude of versions over time, particularly in the midst of Crypto Twitter’s penchant for gossip during market downturns.
Speculation has arisen about the involvement of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The notion that Armstrong may have breached laws under the SEC’s scrutiny, such as failing to disclose paid promotions, is not implausible. Several projects promoted by BitBoy have set off alarms, although there’s currently no active prediction market on Polymarket regarding potential SEC actions.
Armstrong’s track record includes promoting altcoins that have mostly underperformed or vanished, contrary to his optimistic forecasts of substantial gains. Interestingly, many of his YouTube videos about these fleeting coins have been removed.
Adding to the complexity, Armstrong’s involvement in the $BEN token, an ICO-like offering, suggests a lack of congruence between his advocacy for crypto literacy and the token’s performance, which has dropped significantly. Notably, Armstrong isn’t officially listed on the project website that shares his name.
The narrative put forth by Armstrong’s former employer, Hit Network, attributes his termination to substance abuse issues, claiming it was an effort to address the harm he caused to the BitBoy Crypto community. This isn’t the first time concerns about BitBoy’s sobriety have emerged, which could help explain some of his past actions.
As the essay concludes, Armstrong’s reputation within the crypto industry remains divisive. He encapsulates the cringe-inducing aspects of the crypto realm, viewed as a staunch believer in blockchain while tarnishing his credibility through what some perceive as a “pay-to-play” operation. Despite his fall from grace, he retains a following, highlighting the potential for success through the 1,000 True Fans theory in the digital era.
The larger digital transformation within the crypto space has democratized fame and notoriety, enabling individuals to build support bases even in the face of polarizing behavior. Armstrong’s future remains uncertain, as he contemplates a comeback. The essence of his identity—whether as a name, persona, or legacy—remains enigmatic, much like the broader world of crypto itself.
Amidst all this, the underlying principle of blockchain, offering ownership over social media profiles and other assets, challenges the dominance of corporations and tech giants. The decentralized nature of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology underlines that the market, rather than centralized entities, should dictate what is good, bad, permissible, or forbidden.
So, for those celebrating BitBoy’s departure or wishing him ill, it’s important to recognize the essence of the crypto space and its transformative potential.
