Crypto Journalist

Amin Ayan

Crypto Journalist

Amin Ayan

About Author

Amin Ayan is a crypto journalist with over four years of experience in the industry. He has contributed to leading publications such as Cryptonews, Investing.com, 99Bitcoins, and 24/7 Wall St. He has…

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June 6, 2025

Netflix’s latest reality venture, House of Streams, is set to debut on June 18 in the UK and Ireland, offering a unique prize, 1 Bitcoin, to the winning contestant.

The show will feature eight online streamers with a combined following of four million.

According to the official website, the participants, many of whom are well-known on Twitch, will compete in a series of challenges for a chance to take home the Bitcoin, valued at over $104,000 at press time.

Why Did Netflix’s New Series Choose Bitcoin Over Cash?

While the production is backed by the Malta Film Commission, it remains unclear why the series opted for a crypto prize over traditional rewards.

Creator Mark Holland reportedly said the prize “couldn’t have been a simple cash prize or a trip to the Maldives,” hinting at an intent to push boundaries.

The show’s producers have also cautioned against scams. A statement released on May 22 clarified, “We support Bitcoin and no other memecoin,” after reports emerged of individuals attempting to launch fraudulent tokens under the show’s name.

Netflix is no stranger to crypto-themed content.

The streaming giant previously released Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King, covering the QuadrigaCX collapse, and recently greenlit The Altruists, a series focusing on the lives of ex-FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and former Alameda Research head Caroline Ellison.

So far, the contestants — who include streamers such as The Black Hokage, CyborgAngel, and OutplayedByJade — have yet to comment publicly on their participation.

Netflix’s Crypto Show Launches as Security Risks for Holders Rise

The show comes amid growing concerns over the risks faced by crypto holders.

In May 2024, the father of a crypto entrepreneur was rescued from captivity after French police stormed a suburban Paris location.

The suspects had severed one of the victim’s fingers, echoing earlier high-profile attacks involving physical mutilation and digital wallets.

Last month, Pierre Noizat, founder and CEO of French crypto exchange Paymium, saw his own family targeted.

A group of masked men attempted to abduct Noizat’s daughter and grandson in broad daylight. The assault was foiled when the victims and a bystander managed to fight off the attackers.

More recently, three teenagers were accused of kidnapping a man at gunpoint after he returned from hosting a crypto-related event in downtown Las Vegas.

After returning to his apartment, the victim was ambushed at gunpoint by three teenagers from Florida.

The assailants forced him into their vehicle, covered his head with a towel, and warned him not to look at them. They drove him over 70 miles to a remote desert near White Hills, Arizona.

These incidents have intensified calls for better protection for those tied to the crypto world, particularly as rising asset values make high-profile figures more attractive targets.

Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive detained in Nigeria in 2024, accepted The Digital Chamber’s first-ever Hero Award at the DC Blockchain Summit in Washington, D.C., where he recounted the conditions of his captivity.

Gambaryan, arrested alongside fellow Binance employee Nadeem Anjarwalla in Nigeria in February 2024, appeared in better spirits during one of his first public appearances since his detention.

Tigran Gambaryan Receives Hero Award and Speaks on Detention

Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH), presenting the award, said: “Few people have suffered for this industry the way you have.”

“Thank you for what you’ve done in service to our country and in service to our industry,” he added.

This marked the first time the Hero Award was given, recognizing Gambaryan’s personal and professional sacrifices.

Tigran Gambaryan Endured Medical Struggles While Detained

While Anjarwalla escaped, Gambaryan—head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance—faced multiple medical issues, including malaria, double pneumonia, and a herniated disc that impaired his mobility.

“I’m not okay,” Gambaryan said during a court hearing in September 2024, visibly struggling to walk. “Why couldn’t I use a god—- wheelchair? This is a show. I’m innocent—why are you doing this to me?”

U.S. lawmakers took notice of his condition. Representatives French Hill (R-OH) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) visited the detained compliance chief at Kuje prison outside Abuja, Nigeria, in June 2024, where they found him in poor conditions.

“Tigran must be immediately granted a humanitarian release, the remaining charges dropped, and he must return home to America where he belongs,” Hill said in a statement at the time.

Legal Charges and Political Tensions

Gambaryan was charged in Nigeria with violations related to money laundering and tax compliance, though critics argue he was being used as leverage in the country’s ongoing dispute with Binance.

“Hopefully, those that did this will one day face justice,” Gambaryan told the crowd, reflecting on the experience that led to his arrest and prolonged detention.

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The post Kidnapped Binance Exec Tigran Gambaryan Receives First Ever Hero Award At DC Blockchain Summit appeared first on Cryptonews.