Controversial crypto influencer Ben ‘BitBoy’ Armstrong and a meme coin developer known by the pseudonym “More Light” recently took part in an organized fight, an event that transcended its physical contest to impact the digital currency market. Hosted by Karate Combat in Mexico on February 24, the fight night saw fluctuations in the associated cryptocurrencies, Ben (BEN) and HarryPotterObamaSonic10Inu ($BITCOIN), both before and after the match.
“More Light,” who entered the fray on short notice, expressed his astonishment in an exclusive statement at Armstrong’s aggressive demeanor, stating he didn’t expect Armstrong to come out “so amped up.” Despite this, pre-fight bets leaned heavily in his favor, with 62% of wagers placed on him, a public perception that did not ultimately align with the match’s outcome. Armstrong was declared the winner by unanimous decision after three rounds, a victory that sent ripples through the cryptocurrency market.
The price of $BITCOIN plummeted over 20% in the aftermath, while BEN saw an 87% surge at the time of press, highlighting the volatile interplay between celebrity actions and cryptocurrency valuations. Despite these market movements, “More Light” emphasized the absence of animosity between the participants, describing Armstrong as a “good guy” off the field.
The event also sparked a wide range of reactions within the crypto community. Mert, a developer, humorously questioned the spectacle’s nature. Meanwhile, trader TheFlowHorse voiced skepticism about the criteria for earning respect within the community following Armstrong’s victory.
Further complicating Armstrong’s public persona are his recent announcements and legal challenges. The influencer disclosed ceasing his daily live stream, citing unsustainable production costs and mounting legal fees.
His troubles were compounded by an arrest during a contentious livestream at Carlos Diaz’s residence, which had immediate negative effects on BEN’s market value. Armstrong’s public request for financial support, amidst his legal battles and the controversy surrounding his sale of BEN tokens, has sparked a debate on the appropriateness of such appeals given his past displays of wealth.
Following Armstrong’s arrest, blockchain analyst ZachXBT expressed a sense of vindication, interpreting the incident as karmic retribution for Armstrong’s controversial actions within the crypto space. He highlighted Armstrong’s reputation as a “notorious bad actor in crypto,” suggesting the arrest was a long-overdue consequence of his dealings.
