The Larry David Crypto Ad That Predicted FTX's Downfall

In one of cryptocurrency’s most ironic twists, comedian Larry David’s skepticism about FTX in a controversial Super Bowl commercial turned out to be eerily prescient. Years later, as the exchange collapsed in spectacular fashion and its founder faced criminal conviction, David found himself in the unlikely position of having warned the public without even knowing it.

A Celebrity’s Regret Over the Crypto Ad

When asked about his participation in the FTX advertising campaign this week, Larry David didn’t mince words about his decision-making process. “I asked people, friends of mine who knew this industry well, ‘Should I do this commercial?’ They assured me it was legitimate,” he recounted to the Associated Press. “So like an idiot, I did it.”

The admission reflected a common pattern in the crypto space: high-profile figures endorsing projects based on assurances from industry insiders, only to discover those assurances were hollow. David’s self-deprecating response highlighted the broader vulnerability of celebrities entering unfamiliar financial territory.

The Ad That Mocked Innovation—Including Crypto

The commercial itself was designed as satire. David portrayed a curmudgeonly character dismissing historical innovations—the wheel, the fork, the toilet, coffee—before turning to cryptocurrency. When presented with FTX as “a safe and easy way to get into crypto,” his character responded with characteristic skepticism: “Eh, I don’t think so, and I’m never wrong about this stuff.”

The tagline “DON’T BE LIKE LARRY” was meant to gently mock his character’s obstinacy. The irony became unmistakable months later when FTX imploded in late 2022, revealing that David’s on-screen skepticism had captured something uncomfortably close to reality.

The Spectacular Collapse and Criminal Fallout

What began as a Super Bowl moment turned into a cautionary tale. FTX’s founder Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted at the end of 2023 of stealing billions of dollars from customers. The company’s rapid implosion left millions of users unable to withdraw their funds, with the bankruptcy filing freezing assets just days after damaging media reports emerged.

For those who invested or worked with the exchange, the consequences were severe. David himself acknowledged the personal financial hit: “Part of my salary was in crypto, so I lost a lot of money.” His experience mirrored that of countless customers and employees who discovered their trust had been misplaced.

A Glimmer of Hope for Customers

More recently, there have been developments suggesting some recovery may be possible. The FTX bankruptcy estate has indicated it expects to eventually repay customers in full, offering a potential lifeline to those caught in the collapse. However, whether David or other affected parties will recover their losses remains uncertain.

In retrospect, his cameo serves as an uncomfortable reminder of how celebrity endorsements and industry reassurances can mask deeper problems. The Larry David crypto ad became less of a product pitch and more of an accidental prophecy—a moment when satire and reality aligned in ways no one anticipated.