The Netflix FTX series is officially in production and set to premiere by the end of 2026. Titled “The Altruists”, the eight-part drama will chronicle the rise and fall of the now-defunct crypto exchange FTX and its infamous leaders — Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison.
The story will dramatize one of the most catastrophic collapses in crypto history, involving billions in lost user funds and high-profile criminal trials.
Netflix FTX Series Casts Julia Garner and Anthony Boyle
Julia Garner, best known for her role in Ozark, will portray Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research. Meanwhile, Anthony Boyle takes on the role of Sam Bankman-Fried, the eccentric founder of FTX.
According to Netflix’s official description, the two are depicted as “hyper-intelligent, ambitious young idealists who seduce each other into stealing billions.” The show aims to explore the psychological and ideological dimensions behind the fraud — not just the crime itself.
Real-Life Fallout Behind the Fiction
While the Netflix FTX series is scripted drama, it draws from very real and recent events. Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison for defrauding FTX customers and investors. However, due to good behavior, that sentence could be reduced by up to four years.
Caroline Ellison, who cooperated with prosecutors, received a two-year sentence after testifying against her former partner and employer. The case shocked the crypto world, particularly because FTX had been seen as a reliable, regulated platform — until its sudden collapse in November 2022.
From Billions to Bankruptcy
At its peak, FTX was valued at over $32 billion. But a combination of reckless risk-taking, misappropriation of customer funds, and weak internal controls led to a spectacular crash. Court documents revealed that user funds were treated as company assets, making the eventual bankruptcy and legal fallout inevitable.
Netflix is known for tackling real-world financial scandals (The Big Short, Inventing Anna, Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street), and “The Altruists” promises to join that lineup with a crypto twist.
Why the Netflix FTX Series Matters
The upcoming series will likely influence public perception of crypto, especially among mainstream viewers unfamiliar with the industry’s complexity. It may also reshape how future financial crimes in Web3 are documented and dramatized in pop culture.
As the crypto market continues to mature, the Netflix FTX series stands as a timely reflection of the risks, hype, and human fallibility that define the digital asset world.
