Kevin O’Leary Awarded $2.8 Million in Defamation Case Against Crypto Influencer Ben Armstrong
A Miami federal judge has ordered crypto influencer Ben Armstrong, known as BitBoy, to pay Kevin O’Leary $2.83 million in a default judgment. The ruling stems from Armstrong's false accusations on X (formerly Twitter) in March 2025, where he alleged O’Leary was involved in a murder related to a 2019 boating accident. Armstrong also posted O’Leary’s private phone number, leading to a 12-hour suspension from the platform.
The judgment includes $750,000 for emotional distress, $78,000 for reputational harm, and $2 million in punitive damages. Armstrong failed to respond to the lawsuit or appear in court, resulting in the default ruling by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom. The case highlights the legal risks of unsubstantiated claims in the volatile crypto social media landscape.
