Kevin O'Leary Wins $2.8M in Defamation Lawsuit Against Crypto Influencer

Judge rules in favor of 'Shark Tank' star after influencer failed to respond to lawsuit.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Businessman and media personality Kevin O'Leary has won a $2.8 million defamation lawsuit against a crypto influencer known as Bitboy Crypto, who had published false claims that O'Leary is a murderer and paid millions to cover it up. The judge entered a default judgment against the influencer, Ben Armstrong, for failing to provide a substantive response to the lawsuit.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing issue of misinformation and defamation on social media, where influential figures can spread falsehoods that can severely damage a person's reputation and career. It also underscores the legal recourse available to public figures who are victims of such malicious attacks.

The details

According to the ruling by Judge Beth Bloom of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami, Armstrong, the crypto influencer known as Bitboy Crypto, spent a week publishing a series of videos and posts making the false claims about O'Leary. The judge found these statements to be defamatory and awarded the full $2.8 million in damages that O'Leary had sought.

  • On February 14, 2026, Judge Beth Bloom entered the default judgment against Ben Armstrong.

The players

Kevin O'Leary

A businessman and media personality best known for his appearances on the TV show 'Shark Tank'.

Ben Armstrong

Also known as the crypto influencer 'Bitboy Crypto', Armstrong failed to respond to the defamation lawsuit filed by O'Leary.

Judge Beth Bloom

The U.S. District Court judge who ruled in favor of O'Leary and entered the $2.8 million default judgment against Armstrong.

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What’s next

It is unclear if Armstrong plans to appeal the judgment or take any further legal action.

The takeaway

This ruling serves as a warning to social media influencers that they can be held legally accountable for publishing false and defamatory statements, even if they have a large following. It underscores the importance of verifying information before sharing it online.