Bitcoin on TV: How South Park and Pop Culture Shape Crypto Adoption

South Park’s latest season keeps its running gag on cryptocurrency front and center, using humor to spotlight how crypto intersects with media, markets and policy. In season 27, episode 5, the show lampoons prediction markets with a mock Fox News report about Kalshi and Polymarket, inviting questions about high-stakes bets tied to political outcomes. The episode continues the series’ tradition of brisk, satirical takes on real-world events and financial fads, underscoring how digital assets have entered mainstream conversation.

SOUTH PARK’S CRYPTO RUN: KEY MOMENTS
The show has repeatedly referenced Bitcoin and other crypto since the early days. Earlier years featured Bitcoin as both a mainstream currency and a risk—depicted with a wink toward its volatility. In 2021, a post-COVID special depicted Bitcoin as a widely used medium of exchange, while also hinting at the speculative side of crypto culture. That same year, the show mocked non-fungible tokens, portraying the NFT craze with over-the-top enthusiasm and cautionary humor. These scenes helped cement crypto in pop culture, even as the industry faced sharp price swings and high-profile missteps.

CRYPTO, ADVERTISING AND MEDIA MEMES IN THE MIX
The cryptocurrency marketing era hit a fever pitch in 2021 and 2022. Matt Damon headlined Crypto.com ads during the bull market, delivering a line about “fortune favors the brave” as Bitcoin approached record highs near $69,000. The Super Bowl in 2022 saw a wave of crypto commercials—Crypto.com with LeBron James, eToro’s promotions and a Coinbase QR-code gag that briefly crashed the app. Then the FTX collapse in late 2022 shifted the narrative, coloring how audiences view crypto advertising and endorsements.

DOGECOIN, SNL AND BROADER CULTURE
Elon Musk’s Dogecoin hype around 2021-2021’s SNL appearance sent memes and prices into orbit, a moment many linked to the broader media fascination with meme-based crypto. The SNL moment plus Musk’s other public flirtations with crypto helped cement the idea that entertainment and tech figures can move markets in the short term. The era also brought scrutiny of celebrity endorsements and the need for investor caution amid rapid price movement and evolving regulation.

TAKEAWAYS FOR VIEWERS AND MARKETS
Television and film have long reflected financial trends, but crypto’s depiction in shows like South Park and in major ad campaigns has helped normalize the topic for broader audiences. While entertainment can boost awareness, viewers should distinguish satire from investment advice and rely on factual disclosures when engaging with crypto markets, wallets and trading apps.

LOOKING AHEAD
As crypto markets evolve, TV and online media will likely keep shaping public perception—often sparkling curiosity while prompting more informed discussions about risk, regulation and adoption within a fast-changing landscape.