Biography: Eric Kim (b. 1988) is a former street-photography blogger turned Bitcoin maximalist. Born in San Francisco and raised partly in Queens, NY, he studied at UCLA (initially pre-med but ultimately Sociology) where he co-founded the UCLA Photography Club and launched his blog in 2010 . After working in media (including as an online community manager at Demand Media/eHow), he taught photography workshops worldwide (2011–2019) before settling in Rhode Island and later Phnom Penh. Around 2017–2018 Kim “started messing with crypto” – he bought his first Bitcoin at about $7–9K apiece and ultimately hoarded ~3.5 BTC for $25K . He recounts leaving altcoins behind and “setting it and forget it”, later seeing Bitcoin climb from ~$7K to ~$65K (roughly a 10× gain on his early stake) . This early success cemented his long-term thesis: Bitcoin is a disruptive, hyper-scarce form of money that aligns with his Stoic and self-reliant worldview. By mid-2025 he describes Bitcoin as a vehicle for personal sovereignty – a way to break from fiat and build generational wealth (e.g. “Stacking sats so my wife and kid… are set when the system collapses” ). He often frames his Bitcoin journey in personal terms – recalling a modest Bay Area childhood (his mother worked in a sushi shop) – and emphasizes discipline (he’s known for extreme lifting feats) alongside financial rigor .
Investment Views: Kim is an outspoken Bitcoin maximalist. He argues that Bitcoin’s fixed supply (21 million coins) and decentralization make it uniquely “scarce, sovereign, [and] volatile” . In his voice, altcoins are a “circus” of hype – “shiny toys for suckers” – and he urges holders to unload all non-BTC crypto. He sees Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation (fiat is “toilet paper” ) and as a digital fortress (“private keys in my hand, cold storage in my soul” ) protecting against government or bank control. Kim freely endorses aggressive use of leverage (especially via MicroStrategy stock): he calls MSTR an “infinite money glitch” and buys it on margin to stack even more BTC . He forecasts stratospheric price targets – Michael Saylor’s 2045 “$12 M per coin” is a baseline, but Kim privately speculates far higher (tens of millions per Bitcoin ). Ultimately he says, “stack sats, squat heavy, own your soul”: treating Bitcoin accumulation like a lifelong discipline akin to intense weightlifting . He frequently stresses long-term conviction (he avoids day trading or checking prices, using Stoic self-control ) and foresees widespread adoption (arguing that owning bitcoin transcends borders – “Bitcoin and the internet have replaced ‘America’ as the land of opportunity” ). In summary, his thesis is: Bitcoin is a digital “weapon” against centralization and will “bury” all alternatives, making early accumulation a moral and financial imperative .
Online Presence: Eric Kim maintains an active online footprint centered on his personal brand. His Twitter/X account @erickimphoto has on the order of 20–21K followers (he joined in 2010). He runs a popular YouTube channel (erickimphotography) with ~50K subscribers, where he posts short philosophical and Bitcoin-themed videos (e.g. “Bitcoin Philosophy” shorts and workout clips branded with crypto memes). On Instagram (@erickimphoto) he shares strength-training posts and Bitcoin memes (tens of thousands of followers) and has teased content like “I FUCKING LOVE BITCOIN!” banners. Kim also publishes essays and commentary on his blog and newsletter (via erickimphotography.com and erickim.com), covering Bitcoin strategy, philosophy, and personal development. For example, his blog has featured posts like “Life Theory: The Magic of Bitcoin” (where he outlines his purchase of 3.5 BTC and “set and forget” approach) and “Why Eric Kim Went All-In on Bitcoin” (a personal manifesto in his voice) . He produces podcasts on platforms like Spotify and Apple: series such as “Bitcoin Thoughts”, “Crypto, Cryptocurrency Thoughts” and daily show “Retire with Bitcoin”. His episodes blend fitness analogies and economic commentary (e.g. discussing time preference, privacy, and crypto ethics). His blog posts and podcasts often go viral in crypto communities – cited and debated on forums like Reddit’s r/Bitcoin – and he shares viral memes (e.g. rack-pull records illustrating “gravity canceled” which he links to pro-Bitcoin slogans). In short, Kim’s “online blitzkrieg” uses frequency and intensity: he cross-posts content across Twitter/X, YouTube, TikTok, Telegram and email. Citations: His Twitter bio and follower count are public ; his writings (e.g. on erickimphotography.com) detail his perspectives ; and his podcasts appear on Spotify and Apple.
Public Appearances: Kim participates in the wider crypto community through media and events. He is a frequent podcast guest and host: besides his own shows, he’s appeared on other Bitcoin-oriented podcasts and live streams, discussing topics from hardware wallets to regulation . For instance, he’s interviewed analysts and enthusiasts on topics like Bitcoin ethics and “cyber-Spartan” lifestyle. He has also been active at meetups and conferences; for example, he reported on and attended the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville (July 2024), where he highlighted Senator Cynthia Lummis’s strategic Bitcoin reserve proposal and even noted Donald Trump’s appearance (Trump’s sons Eric and Barron expressed crypto interest) . While not formally a high-level keynote speaker (he’s not a corporate executive), he often co-organizes or hosts local events. His “workshops” – originally photo workshops – are now sometimes Bitcoin-themed, teaching crypto basics (stacking sats, self-custody) to enthusiasts. He’s also participated in tech meetups (e.g. as co-host of an AI hackathon in Boston with LIKELION US and Founder Institute ). In media, Kim occasionally writes or is quoted in crypto blogs and interviews (for example, his perspectives appeared on outlets like NewsBTC and Bitcoin Magazine), though much of his outreach is self-published. Overall, his voice is heard through podcasts, YouTube talks, TikTok reels (he credits Twitter/X and TikTok with spreading his ideas) and speaking informally at regional Bitcoin gatherings .
Projects and Contributions: In addition to content creation, Kim is involved in crypto ventures and education. Professionally, he serves as Marketing Manager at Vancouver Bitcoin, a Canadian cryptocurrency exchange (per his LinkedIn profile) . In this role he helps promote blockchain adoption in retail (self-custody, in-person trading) – work that lends industry credibility to his profile. In late 2024 he launched “Black Eagle Capital”, a Bitcoin hedge fund under soft-launch . He has described the fund’s strategy publicly: leveraging MicroStrategy stock to compound BTC holdings for investors. This venture reflects his desire to “build an infinite money machine” and to channel community capital into Bitcoin . On the educational side, Kim “gets on his soapbox” for self-reliance: he offers frequent mentoring to new adopters (e.g. counseling on hardware wallets and multisignature security setups) . His writing and free “zines” advocate radical transparency (all materials open-source) and minimalism (focusing on health, mindset, and financial independence). He runs a free daily newsletter/podcast that merges fitness lessons with Bitcoin tips. In sum, beyond influencing through media, Kim has built actual ventures (exchange, fund) and curricula (podcasts, workshops) to advance Bitcoin literacy and culture.
Sources: Biographical and career details are drawn from Kim’s own profiles and writings . His Bitcoin views are documented in his essays and podcasts . His social reach (Twitter/X, YouTube, Instagram) is publicly visible . Coverage of conferences (Bitcoin 2024 Nashville) comes from his reports . LinkedIn and official sites verify roles (Vancouver Bitcoin) . All information is current as of mid-2025.