Original Title: Why Crypto is the Scientology of Financial Markets Original Author: @therosieum Translated by: zhouzhou, BlockBeats
Editor's Note: This article compares cryptocurrency to Scientology in finance, pointing out that both utilize faith, jargon, hierarchy, and fear to maintain their groups. They promise freedom but create new systems of control. Followers participate not through understanding but through belief, dissenters are ostracized, and failures are blamed on the individual. Essentially, they are 'modern cults' disguised as technology or science, manipulating human vulnerabilities to maintain their influence, ultimately becoming another unquestionable power structure.
The following is the original content (edited for readability):
Cryptocurrency is the 'Scientology of the financial markets.'
The financial world also has its 'religions,' and cryptocurrency is one of the most successful 'cults' among them.
This is not a sensational comment. Scientology (a fantasy cult founded by a science fiction writer) and cryptocurrency both emerged at times when people lost trust in existing systems.
After World War II, traditional religions seemed boring and outdated, paving the way for Scientology's rise. After the 2008 financial crisis, people realized banks were cheating them, thus cryptocurrency emerged.
They have rapidly grown because they offer something people desperately need: a sense of belonging, faith in a goal, and that 'secret knowledge' that makes one feel 'special.' More interestingly, their methods of spreading are almost identical: using the same brainwashing techniques and psychological manipulation.
Why is this important? Let's break it down.
Faith trumps understanding: 'Trust me, bro.'
No one really reads the white papers.
Just as no one really reads Dianetics (Scientology's classic text) from start to finish, many crypto believers love to mention white papers but have actually not read them thoroughly. The core logic of these two circles is: 'I don’t need to understand, but I believe.'
They rely more on 'testimonials':
'Dude, my investment has multiplied by 10 times!'
It's like 'Scientology cured my depression!'
And these miracle stories usually come from the hearsay of your friend's cousin's roommate.
Cool Kids Club
Not on our side? Then you are against us (and both poor and stupid).
Whether it’s Scientology or the crypto space, they excel at creating an atmosphere: outsiders seem to have missed something 'obvious.' Scientology has its 'Operating Thetans,' while the crypto space has 'diamond-handed HODLers.' One of the favorite practices of these two groups is to constantly remind you: you are not one of us.
Terms like 'mooning,' 'rugging,' and 'FUD' (fear, uncertainty, doubt) in crypto are not meant to make things easier to understand; rather, they serve to distinguish the 'awakened' from ordinary people. After all, one of the hallmarks of a cult is developing its own language.
And once you express doubt, trouble arises.
'Have fun staying poor' is the crypto equivalent of Scientology's label 'suppressive person.' Translated, it means: 'This heretic questioned our doctrine; must be expelled!'
Doomsday Insurance
The world is about to end, but how convenient—we happen to have the only antidote.
Scientology claims that psychiatry is destroying humanity; crypto claims that central banks are destroying civilization. Both systems have cleverly packaged themselves as the only lifeboat when disaster strikes.
The prophecy of 'when fiat collapses' in the crypto space drags on like religious apocalyptic prophecies. The dollar crash is always 'just around the corner' (it has been for the past 14 years).
And every time there’s an 'impending apocalypse,' it demands you to spend money right now.
Interestingly, the so-called 'redemption' always requires you to swipe your card to obtain.
Everything is for the courses.
There’s always another level—just pay a little more.
The most obvious similarity between crypto and Scientology is charging for courses.
Scientology's route is: free personality test → basic courses → OT levels 1 to 8, each more expensive than the last.
The crypto scheme goes: free video → $47 introductory course → $997 'advanced strategy' → $25,000 to join the 'real alpha masterclass.'
These sales pitches have never changed: 'The reason you aren’t making money is that you haven’t learned the next layer of secrets.'
Ironically, many 'mentors' actually make money not from the strategies they teach, but from—selling courses.
The funniest part is that those who have bought courses often become the most fervent promoters, because once they admit the courses are useless, it means admitting they were scammed.
Failed? That's your problem.
The system is flawless; it’s only you that makes mistakes.
Scammed by 'rug pulls'? That’s because you didn’t do your homework. Scientology’s techniques didn’t work? That’s because you used the wrong method.
Both Scientology and the crypto space excel at one technique: victim-blaming. The system is always right; the problem is that you aren’t trying hard enough, you don’t believe enough, or you don’t understand enough.
‘DYOR (Do Your Own Research)’ is the crypto equivalent of ‘keep paying for classes until you succeed.’
Interestingly, the responsibility only ever flows in one direction:
Things going well? That's because the system works.
Things going badly? That’s because you didn’t execute properly, didn’t comprehend enough, or didn’t have firm faith.
Science fiction writers excel at making things up.
Wrapping non-scientific concepts in scientific jargon.
The founder of Scientology was originally a science fiction writer (who famously said, 'The fastest way to make money is to start a religion'). Crypto, like Scientology, enjoys wrapping itself in a 'scientific cloak' while saying things that make real scientists want to spit out their coffee.
Scientology has 'e-meters' and 'engrams'; the crypto space has 'cryptography' and 'consensus algorithms.' These terms are not meant to facilitate understanding but to instill fear of questioning—because if you don't understand, it makes you seem 'unworthy of understanding.'
'This is too complex to explain' has become their universal excuse to evade verification. If you don’t understand, that’s your problem, not theirs regarding any ridiculous claims of 'Scientologists' or 'disruptive systems.'
Crypto Version (California Hotel): You can 'leave the group' at any time, but you can never truly escape.
Let's be clear: the cost of leaving Scientology is indeed higher. This organization is notoriously known for its insane surveillance, isolation, and attacks on dissenters. Families can break apart, reputations can be destroyed, and the consequences in real life are extremely severe.
Although the crypto space isn't as extreme, it also has its own 'mental prison.' Once you exit a project or sell off your holdings, you are immediately labeled as a 'soft-shell shrimp,' 'fool,' or even 'traitor.' 'Have fun staying poor' is not just a meme, but a way for the community to maintain loyalty.
Many stay not because they truly believe, but out of fear of missing out, fear of ridicule, or fear of admitting they were wrong.
In both systems, 'keeping the faith' is often much easier than 'choosing to leave.'
Summary:
Blockchain may indeed be useful in the future, just as some believe Scientology's 'auditing' process has helped them.
But the problem is: these two communities have long evolved from 'useful tools' into 'full-blown cults.'
The reason this comparison hits the nail on the head is not only because the similarities are too many, but also because they both massively exploit the same psychological weaknesses in humans—the desire for a sense of control, belonging, and the yearning for 'special powers.'
They both try to bypass traditional 'gatekeepers' (whether religious or financial institutions), promising you a shortcut to 'change your fate.'
They respond to doubts in a similar way: not with facts, but with emotional backlash. They don’t debate with you; they brainwash you; they don’t persuade you; they convert you.
The most ironic thing is that both Scientology and the crypto space originally appeared under the banner of 'liberating you from corrupt systems,' only to establish a new system that is even less transparent and accountable.
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