Megan Brooks
Richard Ricky Bengtson, better known as FaZe Banks, is an American YouTuber and one of the founders and owners of FaZe Clan, an esports and gaming brand. FaZe Banks was also the CEO of FaZe Clan and FaZe Media, a content creator-focused entertainment company, until he stepped down in July 2025 amid allegations of scamming fans through the MLG Coin cryptocurrency project. FaZe Clan was founded in 2010 and has since become one of the longest-standing esports and gaming brands in the world, known for its innovative trickshotting and personality-driven approach to social media.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Richard "Ricky" Bengtson |
| Known as | FaZe Banks, Ricky Banks, Banks |
| Birth date | October 18, 1991 |
| Birthplace | Massachusetts, United States |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California |
| Height | 6'6" (198 cm) |
| Political affiliation | Donald Trump supporter |
| Occupation | YouTuber, co-host of the "Moms Basement" podcast, co-founder and owner of FaZe Clan, former CEO of FaZe Clan |
| Business interests | 25.5% stake in FaZe Media, 31% stake in Faze Media as of June 19, 2024 |
| Business partners | Matt Kalish, co-founder of DraftKings |
| Relationship status | Previously in a relationship with social media personality Alissa Violet |
| Controversy | Stepped down as CEO of FaZe Clan amid allegations of involvement in the MLG Coin cryptocurrency scandal |
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What You'll Learn
FaZe Banks is Richard 'Banks' Bengtson, co-founder of FaZe Clan
FaZe Banks, otherwise known as Richard Banks Bengtson, is a co-founder of FaZe Clan. FaZe Clan is an esports and gaming brand that was founded in 2010. FaZe Banks was also the CEO of the organisation until July 2025, when he stepped down amid a cryptocurrency scandal.
FaZe Banks was one of the original founders of FaZe Clan in 2010. In 2014, FaZe Clan did not have a corporate structure, but Thomas "Temperrr" Oliveira was the CEO. FaZe Banks was the COO. Together, they created the first FaZe shared home in Plainview, New York.
In 2015, FaZe Clan received investment from Hubrick, a former social media platform run by Norwegian entrepreneur Sebastian Geurts. Hubrick recruited former record executive Lee Trink to act as an advisor to FaZe Clan. In 2016, FaZe Clan acquired the European esports team G2 Esports's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive international lineup.
In 2017, FaZe Banks moved to Los Angeles, starting a new shared home with other YouTubers called the Clout House. In 2018, Greg Selkoe, the founder of streetwear web retailer Karmaloop, became the president of FaZe Clan, with Trink becoming the CEO.
In 2024, FaZe Clan's parent company, FaZe Holdings, was acquired by GameSquare. In May 2024, GameSquare announced the formation of a new company, FaZe Media, spinning off FaZe Holdings into an esports company and an internet media company. In June 2024, Richard "FaZe Banks" Bengtson acquired a 25.5% stake in FaZe Media, becoming its CEO.
In 2025, FaZe Banks became embroiled in a cryptocurrency scandal. FaZe Banks, along with other FaZe Clan members, promoted the $MLG Meme Coin. The value of the coin initially skyrocketed but later crashed, losing more than 90% of its value by March 2025. This led to accusations of a "rug pull" scam, where insiders allegedly cashed out early, leaving investors with worthless assets. As a result of the controversy, FaZe Banks stepped down as CEO of FaZe Clan in July 2025.
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FaZe Banks stepped down as CEO of FaZe Clan in 2025
FaZe Banks, also known as Richard Bengtson, stepped down as CEO of FaZe Clan in 2025. The decision came amid allegations of scamming fans through the $MLG meme coin. Banks denied the allegations, stating that he had "never scammed anyone a day in [his] fucking life". However, he admitted that the controversy surrounding the crypto project was "destroying my life inside and out" and that he needed to step away from FaZe Clan and the internet.
Banks was one of the founders and owners of FaZe Clan, an esports and gaming brand that was founded in 2010. He had also been a member of FaZe since he was 16 years old and was instrumental in building the brand. In 2014, he and COO Richard "Banks" Bengtson created the first FaZe shared home in Plainview, New York, with the intention of facilitating lifestyle content alongside their gaming content.
The $MLG meme coin controversy began in early 2025 when Banks, along with other FaZe members, promoted the cryptocurrency. The value of the coin initially skyrocketed, but it later crashed, losing more than 90% of its value by March 2025. Accusations surfaced that the project was a coordinated pump-and-dump scheme, with critics claiming that the group leveraged fan trust and hype to inflate the coin's price before cashing out and leaving late investors with worthless tokens.
The backlash against Banks and FaZe Clan was intense, and the controversy took a severe toll on his professional and personal life. In his emotional statement announcing his departure, Banks expressed uncertainty about his future with FaZe Clan, stating that he didn't know if he would return. As of 2025, the organisation has yet to name a new CEO or interim leader.
The future of FaZe Clan is now uncertain, and fans and critics await further developments in the ongoing controversy.
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FaZe Banks acquired 25.5% of FaZe Media in 2024
In 2024, Richard 'FaZe Banks' Bengtson acquired 25.5% of FaZe Media, a content creator-focused entertainment company. FaZe Banks co-founded FaZe Clan in 2010 and was its CEO. FaZe Clan was acquired by GameSquare in October 2023 for $18.5 million. FaZe Media was launched in May 2024, with FaZe Banks overseeing the new operation.
FaZe Banks' acquisition of 25.5% of FaZe Media increased his ownership in the firm to 31%. The previous majority owner, GameSquare, retained a controlling interest in the company, ensuring its stability and growth. FaZe Banks' move was not merely a business decision but a demonstration of his commitment to FaZe Clan's success. He believed in the immense potential of FaZe Clan and was determined to drive it forward with passion and creativity.
FaZe Clan, originally a Call of Duty clan, became one of the first popular YouTube video game channels. Over the years, it diversified into gaming content and lifestyle content, attracting investors and talent from various industries. In 2018, Greg Selkoe, the founder of streetwear web retailer Karmaloop, became the president of FaZe Clan, and the company continued to expand its influence.
However, in 2025, FaZe Banks found himself embroiled in controversy due to his involvement in the MLG Coin cryptocurrency project. He faced accusations of promoting a ""rug pull" scam, which severely impacted his reputation and led to his decision to step away from his role as CEO of FaZe Clan. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his return, FaZe Banks' acquisition of 25.5% of FaZe Media in 2024 demonstrated his ongoing dedication to the FaZe brand and his belief in its potential for future growth.
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FaZe Banks was involved in the controversial $MLG crypto coin project
FaZe Banks, whose real name is Richard Bengtson, is an American entrepreneur, digital influencer, and the co-founder of FaZe Clan. The esports and entertainment collective has accumulated millions of dedicated fans since its founding in 2010. As CEO, FaZe Banks was at the forefront of this revolution, collaborating with top creators and leading business initiatives in the gaming industry and, more recently, the cryptocurrency space.
In early 2025, FaZe Banks and other FaZe Clan members promoted the $MLG crypto coin, a meme coin launched on the Solana blockchain. The value of the coin skyrocketed, rising from $3 million to $150 million in just five days. However, this rapid growth was short-lived, as the price of the MLG Coin crashed soon after, falling to around $12 million. The abrupt downturn sparked serious allegations of a "rug pull" within the FaZe Bank crypto community.
A "rug pull" is a type of scam where project insiders are suspected of selling substantial holdings or abandoning the project after securing profits, leaving everyday investors with losses. In the case of the MLG Coin, there were allegations that FaZe Banks and other FaZe Clan members had engaged in a pump-and-dump scheme, promoting the coin to drive up its value before dumping their holdings and causing the price to crash.
Amid increasing scrutiny, FaZe Banks denied any wrongdoing but admitted that the controversy was ""destroying my life inside and out." He stepped down as CEO of FaZe Clan in July 2025, expressing uncertainty about his future with the organization. The departure of FaZe Banks and the ongoing MLG Coin controversy have left FaZe Clan without clear leadership, with fans and critics awaiting further developments.
The MLG Coin saga highlights the risks associated with influencer-backed projects in the cryptocurrency space and the potential dangers when crypto ventures rely heavily on celebrity endorsements without transparency. It underscores the importance of due diligence and scrutinizing the underlying fundamentals of any token before investing.
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FaZe Banks is a YouTuber and podcaster
FaZe Banks, otherwise known as Richard Bengtson, is a YouTuber and podcaster. He is also one of the founders and co-owners of the esports organisation FaZe Clan. FaZe Banks began his YouTube career by making short 30-60 second clips of trick shots or insane kills in video games such as Call of Duty. He has also made videos on Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 3, along with CS:GO.
FaZe Banks is also a co-founder of FaZe Clan, which was created in 2010. FaZe Clan is one of the longest-standing esports and gaming brands in the world. FaZe Banks has been instrumental in growing the brand, recruiting talent and employees for the organisation. In 2014, FaZe Banks and COO Richard "Banks" Bengtson created the first FaZe shared home in Plainview, New York, to facilitate lifestyle content alongside their gaming content.
In 2015, FaZe Clan received investment from the former social media platform Hubrick, run by Norwegian entrepreneur Sebastian Geurts. This allowed FaZe Clan to acquire the European esports team G2 Esports's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive international lineup, which competed as FaZe Clan in the 2016 MLG Major Championship in Columbus.
In 2018, FaZe Clan opened its Series A funding round, attracting investment from numerous celebrities and sports stars. In 2021, FaZe Clan became the first esports team to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
In 2025, FaZe Banks stepped down from his role as CEO of FaZe Clan amid allegations of scamming fans through the MLG Coin cryptocurrency project.
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Frequently asked questions
FaZe Banks is the nickname of Richard Bengtson, an American YouTuber and co-founder of FaZe Clan.
Yes, FaZe Banks is one of the founders and owners of FaZe Clan.
FaZe Clan is an esports and gaming brand. It was founded in 2010 and is one of the longest-standing esports and gaming brands in the world.
FaZe Banks has been accused of scamming fans through the MLG Coin cryptocurrency project. He has stepped down as CEO of FaZe Clan as a result of the allegations.
MLG Coin is a cryptocurrency project branded as the "culture coin of gaming". It launched in October 2024 and quickly gained traction after being promoted by FaZe Banks and other FaZe Clan members. However, the value of the coin crashed in March 2025, leading to accusations of a ""pump and dump" scheme.
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