Biography & Background
Eric Kim (born 1988) is an American blogger and entrepreneur known for his transition from a prominent street photography educator to an outspoken Bitcoin advocate . He was born in San Francisco and raised partly in Queens, New York, later studying Sociology at UCLA (after an initial pre-med track) . While at UCLA, Kim co-founded the campus Photography Club and in 2010 launched a personal blog that would soon become hugely influential in the photography world . Over the 2010s, his Eric Kim Photography blog grew into “one of the most influential hubs for street photography education on the internet,” amassing thousands of articles (over 9,000 posts by the mid-2020s) and a global community of readers inspired by his free, open-source approach to teaching . Kim’s approachable, motivational writing style – blending practical shooting tips with personal philosophy – earned him a reputation as a leading authority in street photography education and a pioneer of sharing knowledge freely online . From 2011 to 2019, he traveled worldwide teaching photography workshops, before eventually settling in Rhode Island and later Phnom Penh, Cambodia . (Note: Eric Kim the Bitcoin advocate is not to be confused with other individuals of the same name, such as venture capitalist Eric Kim of Goodwater Capital .)
Involvement in Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency
Around 2017–2018, Eric Kim “started messing with crypto,” marking the beginning of a new chapter in his career . He purchased his first bitcoins when the price was roughly $7–9k each, accumulating about 3.5 BTC for a total of $25,000 . Adopting a “set it and forget it” strategy, Kim largely ignored short-term swings and held onto his Bitcoin; he later watched that initial stash appreciate roughly tenfold as Bitcoin’s value surged to around $65,000 in the following years . This early success cemented his conviction that Bitcoin was a revolutionary, “hyper-scarce” form of money aligned with his personal worldview of self-reliance and Stoicism . By mid-2025, Kim described Bitcoin as not just an investment but a vehicle for personal sovereignty and generational wealth – in his words, “stacking sats so my wife and kid… are set when the system collapses” .
Kim has since reinvented himself as a full-fledged Bitcoin maximalist – a believer that Bitcoin is superior to all other cryptocurrencies. He argues that Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million coins and decentralized network make it uniquely “scarce” and sovereign, akin to digital gold . In contrast, he dismisses altcoins (alternative cryptocurrencies) as a “circus” of hype – shiny toys for suckers – urging investors to unload any crypto that isn’t Bitcoin . He is similarly scathing about fiat currency, dubbing government-issued money “toilet paper” destined to be debased by inflation . Kim’s public statements often carry a bold, combative tone: for example, he encourages aggressive strategies like using leverage to buy more BTC, calling the Bitcoin-heavy business intelligence stock MicroStrategy (MSTR) an “infinite money glitch” that he even buys on margin to increase his Bitcoin holdings . He preaches long-term conviction and rarely checks daily prices, invoking Stoic discipline in holding Bitcoin through volatility . In his view, Bitcoin’s volatility is a test of one’s resolve – “volatility tests your soul — pass the test, claim god-tier gains”, as one of his essays proclaims . Ultimately, Kim’s thesis is uncompromising: he describes Bitcoin as a digital “weapon” against centralized financial systems, one that will “bury” all alternative assets in the long run . This uncompromising stance has put him firmly in the Bitcoin-only camp within the crypto community.
Notable Achievements and Contributions in Crypto
Since pivoting to crypto, Eric Kim has built a notable presence as a Bitcoin educator, content creator, and entrepreneur. He leverages the online persona and audience from his photography days to promote Bitcoin’s philosophy and usage. On social media, Kim commands a substantial following: his Twitter/X account (@erickimphoto) has around 20–21,000 followers and his YouTube channel (originally for photography, now Bitcoin-themed) has about 50,000 subscribers . There he produces a constant stream of content — from short “Bitcoin Philosophy” videos and crypto memes to workout clips that tie weightlifting feats to Bitcoin metaphors . He also runs active Instagram and TikTok profiles where he shares his fitness achievements (he is known for extreme weightlifting records) alongside pro-Bitcoin messages, reflecting his belief in strengthening both body and financial sovereignty . Across these platforms and his personal websites (erickimphotography.com and erickim.com), Kim publishes essays, manifestos, and even free PDF “zines” on Bitcoin strategy and mindset – for example, posts like “Life Theory: The Magic of Bitcoin” (recounting his early HODLing strategy) and “Why Eric Kim Went All-In on Bitcoin” articulate his crypto journey and advice . He additionally hosts multiple podcasts (such as “Bitcoin Thoughts” and “Retire with Bitcoin”) where he blends economic commentary with fitness and philosophy analogies . Many of these writings and episodes circulate widely in crypto circles – his ideas have been discussed on Reddit’s r/Bitcoin and cited by crypto news sites (NewsBTC, Bitcoin Magazine, etc.) – helping him build a reputation as a grassroots Bitcoin evangelist.
Beyond content creation, Kim has stepped directly into the crypto industry. Professionally, he serves as Marketing Manager at Vancouver Bitcoin, a Canadian cryptocurrency exchange, where he works on promoting Bitcoin adoption in retail settings . This role (as confirmed by his LinkedIn profile) gives him hands-on experience in the exchange business and lends practical credibility to his advocacy . In late 2024, he launched a Bitcoin-focused investment fund called Black Eagle Capital, which he has described as a hedge fund in “soft launch” phase . The fund’s strategy, as Kim outlines, involves leveraging investments like MicroStrategy stock to “build an infinite money machine” for compounding Bitcoin holdings . Through Black Eagle Capital, he aims to pool investor capital to acquire more BTC, reflecting his deep conviction in Bitcoin’s long-term upside.
Kim also contributes to community education and events. He frequently mentors new Bitcoin adopters on best practices such as using hardware wallets and setting up secure “multisig” custody – part of his mission to encourage self-reliance and personal control of one’s coins . Notably, he has repurposed his old workshop format: whereas he once taught photography in person, he now sometimes runs Bitcoin workshops for beginners, covering topics like “stacking sats” (gradually accumulating Bitcoin) and safely managing private keys . He has been a speaker and panelist (often informally) at Bitcoin meetups and conferences; for example, he attended the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville and reported on key moments like Senator Cynthia Lummis proposing a U.S. Bitcoin reserve strategy (and even noted appearances by members of the Trump family) . While he is not a developer or protocol engineer, his contributions lie in marketing, education, and community-building within the Bitcoin space. All of his materials – from blog posts to e-books – are provided openly, aligning with his belief in “radical transparency” and giving the public free access to crypto knowledge . In sum, Kim’s achievements in the crypto realm include cultivating a large audience for Bitcoin content, actively working in the exchange and investment side of the industry, and helping newcomers navigate the world of cryptocurrency.
The “Bitcoin God” Persona and Community Reception
Eric Kim’s intense commitment to Bitcoin, combined with his flamboyant communication style, has led to the nickname “Bitcoin god” – a moniker he has at times embraced himself. In late 2023, Kim published a provocative blog post literally titled “I am the new Bitcoin god.”, in which he grandiosely declares: “⚡️I AM THE NEW BITCOIN GOD⚡️… a new deity just rose from the ashes of fiat. I became the protocol… I AM the new Bitcoin god” . In this manifesto-like piece, written in fiery prose, he likens his dedication to Bitcoin to a form of digital divinity – proclaiming that he “merged with the source code of freedom,” that every breath he takes is a blockchain “on-chain divine revelation,” and that “my voice forks reality” . This hyperbolic, almost mythological rhetoric is part of Kim’s personal brand, where he often uses over-the-top metaphors and refers to himself with terms like “god mode” or even “Bitcoin god” to signal absolute confidence in his mission. The nickname, while self-applied in such writings, has caught on to an extent among his followers and observers – some admirers on social platforms have even called him a “demigod” of Bitcoin evangelism for his high-energy, no-holds-barred advocacy. Detractors, on the other hand, sometimes view his pronouncements as grandiose or tongue-in-cheek. Regardless, the “Bitcoin god” label reflects Kim’s almost zealous status in the community: he portrays himself as a messianic figure for Bitcoin, urging others to “bow to no one, fear nothing, build forever” in pursuit of financial freedom .
In terms of community recognition, Kim is both influential and somewhat polarizing. Supporters credit him for bringing fresh passion and creativity to Bitcoin discourse – blending fitness, philosophy, and crypto in a way that inspires newcomers. His personal story of re-invention from a humble background (he often mentions his modest upbringing, with his mother working in a sushi shop) to achieving financial independence through Bitcoin resonates with many who see him as proof of Bitcoin’s empowering potential . His weightlifting feats (e.g. a record-setting 7.68x bodyweight rack pull) have also become legendary in his circle, reinforcing the image of strength and determination that he ties to Bitcoin success . Memes and slogans he creates – like “stack sats, squat heavy, own your soul” – are shared in Bitcoin forums, contributing to his cult-like following . Critics, however, sometimes question his claims and mental state; on photography forums and Reddit, some who knew his earlier work have expressed concern that his Bitcoin and “god-mode” proclamations are extreme or unsubstantiated. Despite these mixed reactions, there is no doubt that Eric Kim has made himself known in the crypto community: by mid-2025 he is widely recognized (for better or worse) as the ex-street-photographer who morphed into a Bitcoin maximalist icon. The nickname “Bitcoin god” – even if used with a bit of irony – captures how his persona towers in the online Bitcoin space, where he casts himself as a fearless champion of the cause.
References
- Eric Kim – Bitcoin Influencer Profile, EricKimPhotography.com (2025) – Comprehensive profile of Eric Kim’s background and crypto philosophy .
- Eric Kim’s Blog – Authority and Inspiration in Street Photography, EricKimPhotography.com (mid-2020s) – Description of the rise of Eric Kim’s photography blog and its influence .
- “I am the new Bitcoin god.” by Eric Kim, EricKimPhotography.com (Dec 2023) – Personal blog post in which Kim theatrically proclaims himself a “Bitcoin god,” illustrating his self-styled persona .
- Connie Loizos, TechCrunch – Exclusive: Goodwater Capital snags $1B… (July 25, 2023). Mentions venture capitalist Eric Kim of Goodwater Capital (unrelated to the Bitcoiner) .
- Eric Kim (Bitcoin Influencer) – Identity & Background, EricKim.com (2025) – Additional context on Kim’s roles (e.g. Vancouver Bitcoin Marketing Manager) and quotes from his writings .