Original Title: Why Crypto is the Scientology of Financial Markets Original author: @therosieum Original text compiled by: zhouzhou,

Editor's Note: This article likens cryptocurrency to Scientology in the financial world, pointing out that both utilize belief, terminology, hierarchy, and fear to maintain their groups. They promise freedom while creating new systems of control. Adherents participate not through understanding but through faith, while doubters are excluded, and failures are attributed to individuals. Essentially, they are "modern cults" disguised in the garb of technology or science, maintaining influence by manipulating human weaknesses, ultimately transforming into another unquestionable power structure.

The following is the original content (for ease of reading and understanding, the original content has been reorganized):

Cryptocurrency is the "Scientology" of the financial market.

The financial world also has its "religions," and cryptocurrency is the most successful "cult" among them.

This is not a sensationalist hot take. Scientology (a fictional cult founded by a science fiction writer) and cryptocurrency both emerged at a time when people lost trust in the existing systems.

After World War II, traditional religions seemed boring and outdated, and Scientology began to rise. After the 2008 financial crisis, people realized that banks were taking advantage of them, leading to the emergence of cryptocurrencies.

The reason they can grow rapidly is that they provide people with what they urgently need: a sense of belonging, faith in a goal, and that kind of "secret knowledge" that makes them feel "special." Even more interestingly, the way they spread is almost identical: using the same brainwashing techniques and psychological manipulation methods.

Why is this point important? Let's break it down.

Faith is greater than understanding: "Trust me, brother"

No one really reads the white paper.

Just as no one really reads "Dianetics" (the classic work of Scientology) from beginning to end, many crypto enthusiasts love to mention white papers, but in fact, they haven't read them fully. The core logic of these two circles is: "I don't need to understand, but I believe."

They rely more on "witness stories":

"Dude, my investment has multiplied by 10 times!"

It's like "Scientology cured my depression!"

And these miraculous stories usually come from the rumors of your friend's cousin's roommate.

Cool Kids Club

Not on our side? Then you are against us (and poor and stupid).

Whether it's Scientology or the crypto world, both excel at creating an atmosphere: outsiders seem to have missed something that is "obvious." Scientology has their "Operating Thetans," and the crypto community has the "diamond hands HODLers." One of the favorite things for these two groups to do is to constantly remind you: you are not one of us.

Terms like "mooning," "rugging," and "FUD" (fear, uncertainty, doubt) in the crypto space are not meant to make things easier to understand, but rather to distinguish the "awakened" from ordinary people. After all, one of the hallmarks of a cult is the development of its own language system.

And once you express doubt, trouble comes.

"Wish you stay poor all your life" (have fun staying poor) is the label corresponding to a suppressive person in the crypto circle. Translated, it means: "This heretic questions our doctrine and must be expelled!"

Doomsday Insurance

The world is about to be destroyed, but coincidentally, we have the only antidote.

Scientology says it's psychiatry that is destroying humanity; crypto says it's the central banks that are destroying civilization. And both systems have very "cleverly" packaged themselves as the only lifeboat when the great disaster arrives.

The prophecy of "When fiat currency collapses" has been postponed repeatedly in the crypto world, much like religious prophecies of the end of the world. The dollar collapse is always "just around the corner" (as it has been for the past 14 years).

And every time the "forthcoming apocalypse" demands that you spend money right now.

The amazing thing is that the so-called "redemption" always requires you to swipe your card to obtain it.

Everything is for the course

There is another level, just pay a little more.

The most obvious similarity between cryptocurrency and Scientology is—paid courses.

The route of Scientology is: Free personality test → Basic courses → OT levels 1 to 8, each level becomes more expensive.

The encrypted routine is: Free video → $47 introductory course → $997 "Advanced Strategies" → $25,000 to join the "Real Alpha Masterclass."

These sales pitches have never changed: "The reason you haven't earned money is that you haven't learned the next layer of secrets."

Ironically, many "mentors" actually make money not by the strategies they teach, but by selling courses.

The funniest part is that those who have purchased the course often become the most fervent promoters, because once they admit the course is useless, it equals admitting they were deceived.

Failed? That's your problem.

The system is flawless; the only one who makes mistakes is you.

Did you get scammed by a "carpet pull"? That's because you didn't do your homework. Did the technology of the Sandaqi not work? That's because you used the wrong method.

Scientology and the crypto world are both skilled in a technique: the victim-blaming theory. The system is always right; the problem is that you are not working hard enough, not believing enough, or not understanding enough.

"DYOR (Do Your Own Research)" is the crypto version of "Keep paying for classes until you succeed."

The amazing thing is that responsibility always goes in one direction:

Is everything going smoothly? That's because the system is effective.

Things are bad? That's because you are not executing properly, not understanding enough, and your faith is not firm.

Science fiction writers are best at making things up.

Wrap non-scientific concepts in scientific vocabulary.

The founder of Scientology was originally a science fiction writer (he actually said, "The fastest way to make money is to start a religion"). Both cryptocurrency and Scientology like to cloak themselves in "scientific garb", yet the content they present makes real scientists want to spit out their coffee.

Scientology has "E-meter" and "auditing"; the crypto world has "cryptography" and "consensus algorithm." These terms are not meant to be understood, but to instill fear of questioning—because if you don't understand, it seems you're "not worthy of understanding."

"It's too complicated to explain" has become their universal excuse for avoiding verification. If you don't understand, that's your problem, not theirs, as they make absurd claims about "Scientologists" or "trustless systems."

The encrypted version of "Hotel California": 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 group is notorious for its frenzied surveillance, isolation, and attacks on apostates. As a result, families will be torn apart, reputations will be ruined, and the consequences in real life will be extremely serious.

Although the crypto space isn't that extreme, it also has its own "spiritual cage." Once you exit a project or sell your holdings, you will immediately be labeled as a "soft-shelled shrimp," "fool," or even "traitor." "Wish you stay poor for life" is not just a meme, but a way for the community to maintain loyalty.

Many people stay not because they truly believe, but because they are afraid of missing out, afraid of being ridiculed, or afraid of admitting that they were wrong.

In these two systems, "continuing to believe" is often much easier than "choosing to leave."

Summary:

The future of blockchain may indeed be useful, just as some people feel that the "auditing" process of Scientology has actually helped them.

But the problem is: these two communities have long evolved from being "useful tools" into "full-fledged religious organizations."

The reason why this comparison hits the nail on the head is not only because there are too many similarities, but also because they are both extensively exploiting the same psychological vulnerabilities of humans - the desire for a sense of control, belonging, and the craving for "special powers."

They all try to bypass traditional "gatekeepers" (whether religious or financial institutions), promising you a shortcut to "changing your destiny."

Their way of dealing with doubts is also the same: instead of responding with facts, they retaliate with emotions. Instead of debating with you, they brainwash you; instead of persuading you, they transform you.

The most ironic thing is that Scientology and the crypto world both emerged under the banner of "freeing you from corrupt systems," yet they ended up creating an even more opaque and unaccountable new system.

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