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Khmer is the future:

audio https://erickimphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Khmer.m4a

ហេតុអ្វីបានជាខ្មែរ bitcoin?

now with ChatGPT pro!

podcast https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/Why-Khmer-Bitcoin—bitcoin-e34kr2d

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/Why-Khmer-Bitcoin—bitcoin-e34kr2d

why Khmer Bitcoin . ហេតុអ្វីបានជាខ្មែរ bitcoin?

all the strategies are right and also wrong:

I fucking love Cambodia, Khmer culture, Phnom Penh

AUDIO https://erickimphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Khmer.m4a

Lift to calm yourself down. Zen zone.

why

video https://erickimphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/GX011770.mov

what’s actually super funny and interesting is that when you are weightlifting, at least for myself, it has a huge calming effect?

Key take‑aways (one‑paragraph summary)

People zero‑in on Eric Kim’s shoeless stance because it makes the 1 162‑lb rack‑pull look even more “impossible,” showcases legitimate biomechanical advantages (shorter range, faster force transfer), plugs straight into a booming minimalist‑footwear movement, signals a wider anti‑gear “#NoFilter” authenticity wave online, and offers viewers a hack they can try without spending a dollar. All those elements create the perfect viral cocktail—and each is underpinned by real research, rising market data and TikTok trend metrics. 

1. Spectacle & Storytelling

• Visual shock value. A 527 kg bar plus bare feet instantly breaks the viewer’s “gym default” template, so the brain stops scrolling. Marketing research shows that novelty spikes engagement rates; Kim’s own blog records 250 k YouTube views in 24 h, with comment threads fixating on his unshod stance rather than the weight itself  .
• Purity signal. No shoes = “nothing hidden,” aligning with the social‑media “#NoFilter” badge that frames content as more authentic  . Audiences reward feats that look free of assistance, whether it’s filters or pricey gear.

2. Real Biomechanical Upside

Benefit	Evidence	Why lifters care
Shorter vertical travel	A shoe sole adds 0.5–1.5 in of bar path; deadlift studies show barefoot conditions reduce displacement and total mechanical work required to finish the lift	Smaller ROM means you can load heavier—critical when chasing eye‑popping numbers.
Faster force transfer	Hammer et al. found higher rate of force development (RFD) and less mediolateral sway when subjects pulled barefoot	Quicker “pop” off the pins adds drama on video and performance on the platform.
Greater proprioception & stability	SELF’s review notes richer sensory feedback from the 100 000+ mechanoreceptors in the soles, enabling better full‑body recruitment	Viewers intuitively link bare feet to “grounded power.”
Foot‑muscle strength	Six months in minimalist footwear boosted intrinsic foot strength by 57 % in a peer‑reviewed study	Lends scientific credibility to the barefoot hype.

3. A Bigger “Barefoot Boom”

• Wellness & fashion convergence. Guardian fashion coverage reports the barefoot‑shoe market jumping from £374 m in 2021 to a projected £626 m by 2031  , while Vogue Business pegs the global segment at US $800 m by 2031  . Kim’s lift rides that wave.
• Foot‑health mainstreaming. Lifestyle columns highlight feet as the overlooked foundation for balance and longevity; experts urge “go barefoot at home” to wake dormant muscles  . When a lifter proves the concept under half a tonne of iron, eyeballs follow.

4. Algorithm‑Friendly Authenticity

• TikTok’s “barefoot trend” and “barefoot gym” hashtags push millions of views weekly, rewarding creators who ditch conventional props  .
• Platforms privilege content that is replicable: almost anyone can film a shoeless set, even if not at Kim’s load. That replicability fuels duet‑chains, reaction videos and meme culture, compounding reach.

5. Anti‑Gear Sentiment in Strength Sports

Years of equipment escalation (carbon‑fibre lifters, squat suits) left many fans fatigued. Shoeless lifting feels like a rebellion against “pay‑to‑play” performance aids. Kim’s belt‑less, strap‑minimal style magnifies that narrative, making the feat resonate beyond the hardcore power‑lifting niche  .

6. Low‑Barrier “Hack” Viewers Can Try Today

Unlike buying calibrated plates, taking shoes off is free. Fitness audiences love quick wins; the SELF and Guardian pieces both frame barefoot sessions as an easy experiment with potential upside—exactly the kind of advice that spreads in comment sections  .

Bringing It Home—What This Means for 

Your

 Lifts

1. Test the leverage yourself. Warm‑up sets barefoot or in 2 mm deadlift slippers; film bar speed compared with your usual shoes.
2. Progress gradually. Follow the research‑backed cadence: start light, add weight only when form and foot comfort hold for 2–3 weeks  .
3. Strengthen the base. Pair rack‑pull singles with foot‑arch drills (towel scrunches, toe splay) to tap into the 57 % strength gain window seen in minimalist‑footwear studies  .

Final hype flash 🔥

Eric Kim’s barefoot 7×‑body‑weight rip isn’t just a circus trick—it’s the headline act in a much larger movement toward stripped‑down, first‑principles strength. The internet is obsessed because the physics checks out, the culture is primed for minimalism, and the barrier to entry is as simple as kicking off your shoes. So plant those feet, feel the floor, and let gravity witness your own barefoot revolution!

Eric Kim’s viral 527 kg (1,162 lb) rack‑pull at 75 kg body‑weight—an eye‑watering 7.03 × BW “god‑ratio”—has detonated the strength Internet, but much of the debate stems from misunderstanding what a rack‑pull actually is, how “× body‑weight” maths works, and where (or whether) such a lift fits inside official record books. Below you’ll find the seven confusion‑clusters that dominate comment sections, each untangled with biomechanics, rule‑book facts, and evidence‑based training science so you can keep lifting stoke high without falling for half‑truths.

1. Rack‑Pull ≠ Deadlift: the range‑of‑motion riddle

• Starting height matters. A rack‑pull is “a deadlift performed from safety pins above or just below the knee, shortening the hardest 15‑20 cm of the pull”  .
• Why that confuses people: Most clips don’t show the pin height, so casual viewers think it’s a floor deadlift, yet leverage and joint angles are totally different  .
• Strength numbers explode. Intermediate men average ~190 kg (420 lb) on a conventional rack‑pull—already higher than their floor deadlift—so 527 kg looks super‑human because it is ~2.8 × heavier than typical gym standards  .
• Take‑home: Above‑knee rack‑pulls are a partial‑range, overload accessory, not a replacement for competition deadlifts.

2. “7 × Body‑Weight” – ratio math vs. record tables

• Eric’s own blog frames the feat as 7 × BW rack‑pull, not a world deadlift record  .
• Real powerlifting gold‑standards: the heaviest full‑ROM BW ratios ever verified hover around 5 × BW (e.g., Lamar Gant and recent 356 kg @ 70 kg pulls)  .
• Why 7 × causes whiplash: ratio multipliers scale in favour of lighter lifters, so viewers compare it to Hafþór Björnsson’s 501 kg at ~205 kg BW (2.4 ×) and assume “impossible”  .
• Bottom line: ratios are context‑dependent—a partial‑range lift will always allow a higher multiple than a fully sanctioned one.

3. “World record… or not?” – sanctioning & rule‑book gray zones

• Neither the IPF nor USA Powerlifting recognise rack‑pulls in competition; only squat, bench, and floor deadlift are judged lifts  .
• Strongman does recognise partial deadlifts—the Silver‑Dollar (18‑inch) event—where Ben Thompson’s 577 kg record reigns; note that even this starts lower than Eric’s knee‑height setup and uses giant boxes, straps, & suits  .
• Therefore: Kim’s lift is “gym‑standard extraordinary,” but not an official sporting record—a nuance lost in headlines and re‑shares  .

4. Authenticity firestorm: fake weights & “natty‑or‑not”

• Social media is rife with fake‑plate scandals—Brad Castleberry, Stallone, ATHLEAN‑X—and viewers project that scepticism onto every viral mega‑lift  .
• Kim live‑streamed weighing the plates & used calibrated power‑lifting discs to quell “fake weight” claims, yet debate shifted to PED‑use (“natty or not”) once the plates checked out  .
• The broader culture war around influencers & steroids keeps the question alive even when evidence is thin  .

5. Biomechanics & training carry‑over – what science really says

• Partial‑ROM & supramaximal loading can boost neural drive and lock‑out strength but show mixed transfer to full‑ROM performance  .
• Over‑using very heavy partials can hammer the spine & connective tissue; joint‑strain warnings date back years in sports‑medicine literature  .
• Practical guideline: stay within 105‑110 % of your best deadlift for most rack‑pull work; beyond that, hypertrophy & skill gains plateau while injury risk skyrockets  .

6. “Will a 500 kg rack‑pull boost my floor deadlift?” – transfer myths

• Strength coaches debate fiercely: some see great lock‑out improvements, others call high‑pin pulls “ego lifts” with little floor carry‑over  .
• Forum ratio data suggest a ~80‑90 % conversion when the rack‑pull starts just below the knee; above‑knee variants show gaps >30 %  .
• Translation: Use depth‑specific rack‑pulls to attack sticking points, not to chase Instagram‑friendly numbers.

7. Safety, programming & expectations – how 

you

 can leverage the hype

Goal	How to use rack‑pulls	Don’t do this!
Beat mid‑shin sticking point	Set pins 1‑2 ″ below the knee, 3–5 singles at 100‑105 % 1RM	Above‑knee max outs every session
Trap/upper‑back mass	High‑pin pulls, straps OK, 3×8 @ 60‑70 %	Bouncing bar off pins
Neural overload / confidence	Once per 6‑week block, 1–2 heavy singles 110 %	Weekly supramax triples

(Sources synthesised from Onnit guide, Athlean‑X tutorial, and T‑Nation programming threads) 

Key take‑aways (keep the stoke, drop the confusion!)

1. It’s a rack‑pull, not a contest deadlift. Shorter ROM + straps + calibrated plates = bigger numbers.
2. 7 × BW sounds mythical—but it’s a ratio quirk, not a magic pill, and doesn’t invalidate sanctioned records.
3. No federation verifies rack‑pull “world records.” Celebrate the feat but know it’s outside official power‑lifting.
4. Authenticity chatter (plates, PEDs) is culture‑wide, not evidence of wrongdoing—look for calibrated discs & transparent weighing.
5. Partial‑range science is legit when programmed sparingly; chasing Kim‑level numbers every week will fry you.

Stay curious, train smart, and let Eric Kim’s gravity‑defying moment fuel, not fool, your own one‑rep‑max journey! 🚀💪

Prime Launchpad

 for Bitcoin’s Next Wave

Catalyst	What’s Happening	Why It Matters for Bitcoin
1. Digital‑payment rails already in place	Bakong, the National Bank of Cambodia’s blockchain payment network, moved US $104 billion in 2024 (≈ 330 % of GDP) and now serves ~30 million wallets. Merchants nationwide can accept a single QR‑code for cash, Bakong or any digital token.	A whole country has been trained to scan a QR and trust a cryptographic ledger—perfect muscle‑memory for Lightning or on‑chain BTC.
2. Regulation is flipping from “gray” to “green”	A new Prakas dated 26 Dec 2024 lets commercial banks and payment institutions legally provide crypto services and hold certain digital assets once licensed.	Clear rules attract foreign exchanges, custody firms and liquidity—key ingredients for retail and institutional Bitcoin adoption.
3. Grass‑roots demand is already global top‑20	Cambodia leaped to #17 on Chainalysis’ 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index, ahead of Canada and South Korea.	Even before full regulation, Cambodians are using crypto in meaningful volumes; the slipstream for Bitcoin is strong.
4. Mobile‑first, under‑banked, ultra‑young	• 144 % mobile‑SIM penetration, 56.7 % internet penetration, median age 27 yrs.    • Only ≈ 33 % of adults hold a formal bank or mobile‑money account.	Self‑custodial Bitcoin apps can jump straight onto smartphones and reach millions who have no traditional banking relationship.
5. Dollarised cash economy	~80 % of domestic transactions still happen in US $ rather than the riel.	Bitcoin offers a hard‑capped, bearer form of “digital cash” that isn’t tied to either currency, giving savers an instantly portable hedge.
6. Big, pricey remittance corridors	Inflows equal 6.6 % of GDP (US $2.8 bn in 2023)  and the cost to send US $200 to East‑Asia corridors averages 5.8 %.	Lightning payments can drop fees below 1 %, saving Cambodians tens of millions of dollars a year—and word travels fast.
7. Tourism boom = instant foreign‑spend market	International visitors rebounded to 5.43 million in 2023 and the MoT expects 7 million by 2025.	Accepting Bitcoin (or sats‑over‑Bakong QR) lets restaurants, hotels and tuk‑tuks pick up tips and sales from crypto‑carrying travelers.
8. Government digital‑economy masterplan	The Digital Economy & Society Policy Framework 2021‑2035 explicitly calls for blockchain and cross‑border fintech innovation.	Long‑run political tail‑wind: every ministry is under orders to digitalise services—Bitcoin rails can plug straight in.
9. Entrepreneurial energy + sandboxes	Binance/SERC MoUs, startup hackathons, and regulatory sandboxes for fintech are proliferating.	Builders have room to experiment with Lightning gateways, BTC‑backed remittance apps and custody solutions ahead of rivals in stricter jurisdictions.
10. Energy transition potential	Power is still costly (≈ US $0.137 / kWh), but the grid is expanding toward 70 % renewables by 2030.	Cheap daytime solar or surplus hydro could underpin localized Bitcoin mining or Lightning routing nodes, anchoring liquidity inside the country.

📈 What This Means for Different Players

You Are…	First Steps to Ride the Wave
Everyday Cambodian	• Start small—DCA a few USD each week via a licensed Bakong‑linked exchange.• Learn self‑custody (seed phrases!) and practise Lightning micropayments with friends.• Use BTC for overseas tuition or migrant income to dodge high remittance fees.
Merchant / Tourism Operator	• Add a Lightning → Bakong gateway (one QR, many payment types).• Promote “Pay in Bitcoin – no card fees” to capture foreign spend and bigger tips.
Fintech or Startup Founder	• Apply for the NBC crypto‑asset sandbox; build KYC‑embedded on‑ramps.• Integrate Lightning invoices directly into existing POS and e‑commerce stacks.• Target remittance corridors (Thailand, Korea, Japan) where fee‑savings are instant marketing.
Investor / Miner	• Scout rural solar or micro‑hydro projects where curtailment is high; colocate modular miners to monetise excess energy.• Back Cambodian custodial or security‑auditing firms—they will be the “picks & shovels” of the local BTC economy.
Policy Advocate	• Push for clear tax guidance (e.g., long‑term capital‑gains exemption below a USD threshold).• Encourage interoperability between Bakong and open Lightning nodes to keep settlement risk low while embracing global standards.

🌟 The Big Picture

Cambodia’s combination of mobile‑native youth, a proven blockchain payment culture, clarifying regulations, and a strategic hunger to leapfrog traditional finance positions the Kingdom to become one of South‑East Asia’s brightest Bitcoin success stories over the next decade. The runway is clear, the engines are revving—time to stack some Cambodian sats and join the ride! 🥳🚀

Cambodia’s authorities have maintained a cautious approach to Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.  In 2019 the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and finance ministry warned the public and effectively banned unlicensed crypto trading .  Since then officials have cracked down on foreign exchanges – in Nov 2024 the telecom regulator blocked access to 16 offshore crypto platforms (e.g. Binance) for operating without local licenses .  In parallel, regulators have worked to develop local alternatives (e.g. Royal Group Exchange) under strict oversight.

By early 2025 the NBC began formalizing crypto rules for banks and payment firms.  A January 2025 Prakas split digital assets into two groups: Group 1 (“tokenized securities” and approved stablecoins) and Group 2 (“other crypto-assets,” including Bitcoin) .  Banks may invest in or hold Group 1 assets (subject to NBC approval and exposure limits) but cannot directly hold Group 2 assets .  Notably, banking regulators clarified that while Cambodian banks cannot carry Bitcoin on their books, they may be permitted (with NBC approval) to provide crypto-related services – e.g. exchange on‐ramping, custody or remittance conversions – for clients .  In short, the government is steering crypto activity toward regulated onshore channels, emphasizing consumer protection, anti‑money‐laundering and riel currency stability while keeping unbacked tokens like Bitcoin tightly controlled.

Key regulatory actions (2019–2025):

• 2019: NBC/finance ministry issues ban on all unlicensed crypto transactions .
• 2022–2024: SERC (securities regulator) negotiates fintech sandboxes (including MoUs with Binance) but crypto remains heavily restricted.
• Nov 2024: Telecom Regulator blocks 16 foreign crypto exchanges for lack of license .
• Jan 2025: NBC publishes first digital‐asset framework: banks/payment firms may handle tokenized securities/stablecoins, but personal Bitcoin remains in “Group 2” (restricted) .

Cambodia’s regulatory tone is therefore not a full ban – rather a tight, controlled embrace.  The focus is on oversight and financial inclusion (for example, integrating crypto into the Bakong payment system to boost the riel), not on encouraging speculative Bitcoin investment.  This environment means Bitcoin startups must navigate careful licensing, but it also signals that crypto activity (especially Bitcoin) is not automatically outlawed – local regulated use is the goal.

Bitcoin Mining Potential

Cambodia does not currently offer the low-cost, cold-climate conditions favored by large Bitcoin miners.  Industrial electricity rates are high (around USD 0.14–0.16 per kWh) – among the highest in Southeast Asia – compared to roughly $0.07–0.12 in neighbors like Vietnam and Thailand .  Electricity supply itself is uneven: the grid is aging and suffers frequent surges and outages .  In short, power is neither cheap nor 24×7 reliable, which raises mining costs.  At the same time Cambodia’s climate is tropical (hot/humid year-round), meaning miners would pay extra for cooling, further eroding profitability.

On the positive side, Cambodia has abundant renewable resources that could support eco-friendly mining in the future.  The government aims for ~70% of electricity from renewables by 2030 .  Solar capacity is especially promising: Cambodia enjoys about 8 hours of strong sunshine daily and has “some of the richest solar resources in Southeast Asia” (~8 kWh/m²/day) .  Large-scale solar or hydropower projects could eventually provide cheaper, carbon‐neutral power to data farms.  Politically, Cambodia is relatively stable and mining poses no obvious regime risk (no recent coups or wars).  But the current combination of high power cost and infrastructure limits means that, as of 2025, Cambodia is not a top choice for industrial-scale Bitcoin mining.

Mining factors: Cambodia’s political stability is moderate (long‐term one‑party rule with no internal conflict), and land/rent costs can be low (rural areas for data centers).  However, the country’s electricity is expensive (~$0.14/kWh vs ~$0.08/kWh in Vietnam) and the grid is outdated .  Its tropical climate (average temperatures ~27°C) imposes heavy cooling costs.  In contrast, the ample sunlight (8 kWh/m²/day) and growing renewables (solar, hydro) could, in future, provide abundant green power for mining.  For now, though, Cambodia’s infrastructure disadvantages (expensive, unreliable power) outweigh its geographic solar edge.

Local Use: Commerce, Remittances, and Savings

Cambodia already has one of the fastest-growing crypto user bases in Asia.  By late 2024 it ranked 17th globally in crypto adoption according to Chainalysis .  Roughly 530,000 Cambodians (≈3% of the population) are projected to hold cryptocurrencies by 2025 .  This community skews very young: over two‐thirds of crypto users are under 25 .  In practice, Cambodian use of Bitcoin and crypto is driven largely by peer-to-peer transfers and remittances.  Many Cambodian workers abroad (in Thailand, Malaysia, etc.) send money home via P2P crypto channels, attracted by lower fees.  For example, a blockchain remittance platform (SBI-Ripple) launched in 2021 to connect Cambodia and other Asian markets .  In 2019 Cambodian migrants sent ~$1.5 billion in remittances (≈6% of GDP) , highlighting a strong use case for cheap Bitcoin transfers if they can be legally used.

The local payment infrastructure also hints at crypto readiness.  Cambodia’s Bakong digital wallet (a blockchain-based domestic payments system) has seen explosive use.  Launched in 2020, Bakong reached about 5.9 million users and $2 billion in transactions by late 2020 , and by 2024 over 65% of the population was using it .  This success shows Cambodians are comfortable with phone-based crypto ledgers and QR‑code payments.  Critically, Bakong has also increased use of the Cambodian riel (versus the US dollar): currently over 80% of transactions in Cambodia are in USD , but projects like Bakong (and proposed crypto sandboxes) explicitly aim to shift volume into the riel for national stability.

However, real‐world Bitcoin spending remains limited.  Cryptocurrency is rarely used at shops or official commerce outlets, largely due to regulatory caution.  Instead, most crypto-holding Cambodians treat Bitcoin as a store-of-value or for cross-border transfers.  Surveys suggest only a small fraction of Cambodians use crypto frequently: a 2022 poll found ~10.6% had ever used it, but only about 0.6% used it regularly .  The majority remain unbanked (≈70% of adults ) and rely on cash or mobile wallets (e.g. Wing, TrueMoney) for daily payments.  For many of these unbanked, a future where Bitcoin (or stablecoins) could serve as digital savings or remittances is plausible – but today usage is still mostly in informal P2P circles.

Example (table): The chart below summarizes Cambodia’s crypto market size and adoption compared to its population.

Metric	Cambodia	Source
Global crypto adoption rank (2024)	17th globally	Chainalysis report
Crypto users (2025 forecast)	~530,000 (≈3% pop)	Chainalysis/Market analysis
Crypto market size (2025 revenue)	~$7.5 million	Industry forecast (USD)
Bakong wallet penetration (2024)	>65% of population	NBC/Bakong statistics
Unbanked adults	~70% (≈12 million people)	Central Bank data

These figures illustrate a paradox: high interest, low spending. Cambodia’s youth are keen on crypto (rank #17 by adoption ), but actual on‑ramps to use Bitcoin for daily needs are few.  Much of the value flow is in remittances or cross-border transfers, where crypto’s low fees could help.  By encouraging local crypto exchanges (RGX, CNX) and possibly integrating crypto rails into payment apps, Cambodia may boost practical usage over time.

Startup and Investment Opportunities

Cambodia’s burgeoning fintech scene offers entry points for Bitcoin-related ventures – provided regulatory hurdles are managed.  The startup ecosystem is small but growing (roughly 150–180 startups as of 2024, many in fintech/tech) .  Investment and innovation focus strongly on digital payments and e‑commerce.  The government has even set up fintech sandboxes and events: for example, Cambodia hosted the “Fintech Revolution Summit” in 2025, signaling a national push on financial technology (though mainly on mobile wallets and AI, not crypto per se).

For Bitcoin specifically, the most obvious opportunities lie in payments and remittance services.  A licensed crypto exchange or payment app could leverage Bitcoin (and Lightning) to move money cheaply between Cambodia and its neighbors.  Many Cambodian workers in Malaysia and Thailand need low-cost remittance channels; a Bitcoin wallet or Lightning-based service (combined with on/off ramps to local currency) could disrupt traditional money-transfer companies.  Indeed, a Franco-Vietnamese business plan has pointed out that a Vietnam–Cambodia Bitcoin corridor could capture P2P remittance flows by bypassing costly banks .  While Vietnam is only now formalizing crypto rules (June 2025 law) , Cambodia’s willingness to allow licensed Crypto Asset Service Providers (exchanges, wallets) means a Cambodia-based startup could serve both markets under careful licensing.

Other niches include micro‐payments and content services.  The Lightning Network (Bitcoin’s layer-2) enables near-instant, tiny payments (on the order of cents) with very low fees .  In Cambodia’s digital economy (where mobile gaming and e-commerce are rising), a Lightning-powered wallet could let users make micropayments for online services, streaming, or even charitable donations.  As an example of Lightning’s power: research notes that while Bitcoin’s blockchain handles ~7 tx/sec, Lightning can handle ~1,000,000 tx/sec off‑chain , with bundled settlement to minimize fees .  A Cambodian startup could integrate Lightning with Bakong or existing mobile wallets to offer novel apps (e.g. pay-per-article, IoT payments, or vending machines accepting Bitcoin).

Local institutional investment is also trickling in.  Traditional players (banks, telecoms) have shown interest: several local banks hold stakes in RGX, and global players like SBI and Ripple have launched services in Cambodia .  Moreover, Cambodia offers incentives for tech firms (e.g. tax breaks for exporters), and international funds are eyeing Southeast Asian fintech.  A licensed Cambodian crypto fintech could also tap into regional liquidity: for instance, managing riel-backed stablecoins or providing custody services to Cambodian users under NBC supervision.  In summary, although early-stage, Cambodia’s startup-friendly policies (especially post‑2024 fintech initiatives) mean there are openings for Bitcoin/Lightning fintechs – primarily in payments, remittances, and merchant services – once the licensing path is clear.

Public Sentiment and Adoption Trends

On the ground, Cambodian public opinion about Bitcoin is mixed but skewing positive among youth.  A key factor is Cambodia’s young, tech-savvy populace: the median age is only ~26 years , and digital adoption is very high.  For instance, by 2023 total mobile internet subscriptions exceeded the country’s 17 million population, and about 65% of Cambodians use social media .  In other words, Cambodians are already digital consumers.  Many are curious about crypto as a way to save or transact without banks: one fintech CEO noted that the population is “mostly young and comfortable using mobile phones,” which helped Bakong’s rapid uptake .

Grassroots and industry efforts reflect growing crypto interest.  Phnom Penh hosts active crypto meetup groups: e.g. a “Phnum Pénh Bitcoin Meetup” has nearly 1,000 members, and there are local blockchain/Ethereum meetups with hundreds of participants .  Professional organizations have also sponsored blockchain workshops – for example, a EuroCham “Crypto & Blockchain 101” session in Aug 2024 and a French Tech talk in Oct 2024 covering “fundamentals of Bitcoin” .  These events indicate that entrepreneurs and young professionals are educating themselves about crypto, even if mainstream media remains guarded.

That said, public sentiment among the broader population is cautious.  Frequent warnings from authorities about crypto risk and scams have tempered adoption.  Many Cambodians have heard government messages equating cryptocurrency with fraud or volatility.  This is reflected in usage patterns: despite the high awareness, only a small share actively transacts in Bitcoin.  In short, Bitcoin is often seen as a speculative asset or a hobby for the tech-savvy, rather than everyday money.

Key grassroots indicators: Community surveys and user data hint at this dynamic.  For example, one late-2022 survey found ~10.6% of Cambodians had ever used cryptocurrency, but only about 0.6% used it regularly in transactions .  Meanwhile, informal P2P platforms thrive quietly (e.g. local Telegram and Facebook groups), often denominated in dollars and riel.  Public forums discuss crypto enthusiastically, yet the majority remain cautious – especially older and rural people who lack financial literacy or reliable internet.

In sum, Cambodian public interest in Bitcoin is real and growing – but remains niche and urban.  The country’s young digital population, high mobile penetration , and active meetup communities all suggest a foundation for future growth.  With ongoing education (e.g. through meetups and industry talks) and improved regulatory clarity, grassroots adoption may expand.  For now, Bitcoin usage is primarily among early adopters and remittance senders, not yet a mass-market phenomenon.

Unique Geopolitical and Economic Factors

Several special factors give Cambodia a distinctive position in the Bitcoin landscape:

• Digital‐economy push: The government’s Digital Cambodia initiatives (2021–2035) and recent digital workshops (e.g. UNESCO-backed digital transformation labs ) have fostered a tech-friendly environment.  Cambodia aims to leapfrog into digital payments (Bakong) and AI, which means blockchain literacy is being promoted even if cautiously.
• Dual-currency economy: Cambodia is heavily dollarized (~80% USD use ). Bitcoin (being inherently USD-denominated) appeals to people seeking a stable store-of-value outside local politics. At the same time, authorities want to boost the riel via Bakong and local crypto platforms, making Cambodia a unique “testbed” for currency-tech strategy.
• Demographics: With a median age ~26 and ~65% social media penetration , Cambodia’s population is young and tech‐adaptable. High smartphone adoption and mobile banking (32M mobile subscriptions vs 17M people) mean digital financial services can spread rapidly once introduced.
• Remittance and unbanked market: Over half of Cambodians are unbanked , and migrant remittances are a major economic inflow (~$1.5B/year) . This “real need” for affordable cross-border payments is a catalyst: crypto remittance can bypass traditional fees, which is why Cambodians are comparatively quick to try P2P crypto channels.
• Geography and resources: Cambodia’s location in Southeast Asia links it to larger crypto-active markets (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos). Its plentiful solar resources offer a potential green energy future, though not yet fully realized. Compared to crowded data-harsh neighbors, Cambodia has cheap land and fewer regulations on outdoor mining, which could attract niche solar‑powered mining if policies evolve.
• Political stability: Cambodia has been politically stable (no coup or conflict since the 1990s transition), which lowers risk for tech investment.  Investors note that despite governance issues, “hard” factors like electricity and rule-of-law are more pressing than upheaval.  (Cambodia still faces governance sanctions, but crypto entrepreneurs see the situation as relatively predictable.)

In combination, these factors suggest Cambodia could carve out a niche crypto ecosystem.  The strong policy focus on digital inclusion and riel stability means Bitcoin’s future role will intertwine with national goals.  For example, integrating Bitcoin on-ramps into Bakong or using stablecoin rails for remittances could align with the riel-strengthening agenda.  The youthful demographic and high mobile penetration mean that once clear paths are opened (through licensing and education), adoption could accelerate.

In summary, Cambodia’s great future for Bitcoin would hinge on balancing cautious regulation with innovation: leveraging its growing digital society, addressing remittance needs, and tapping renewable energy potential, all under a stable (if controlled) political system.  The sources above show a rapidly evolving environment: by late 2025, observers expect Cambodia to remain watchfully progressive on crypto, with unique advantages that could position it as a regional hub for Bitcoin-based services .

Sources: Information synthesized from Cambodian central bank announcements, industry analyses, news reports, and fintech research . All data and events are current as of mid-2025.

“Next‑Boom”

 Moment

In the 48 hours since the 527 kg / 7 × body‑weight video hit every feed, the strength internet has entered what data‑analysts call “phase‑four virality”: traffic stops flowing to the clip and starts radiating outward into every article, forum post, and tutorial that might explain how the lift is even possible.  Think of it as the after‑shock that spawns new earthquakes.

Signal of the new boom	What’s happening	Why it matters
Coach archives erupt	Jim Wendler’s 2016 essay “The Great Rack Pull Myth” just jumped back to the #1 most‑read slot on his site	Every skeptic linking Wendler pumps more readers—and Google juice—into the debate.
Technique hubs surge	BarBend’s rack‑pull how‑to (Nov 2024) leaped from steady traffic to a top‑five article this week; its sibling pieces “Are Rack Pulls Worth It?” and “Deficit Deadlift vs Rack Pulls” now follow close behind	The audience isn’t replaying the stunt—they’re hunting programming answers.
Starting Strength revival	Mark Rippetoe’s February‑2025 video “The Rack Pull: Why, When, and How” added a fresh comment thread titled “7× clip thoughts?” within hours of the 527 kg upload	Late‑intermediate lifters want to know if supra‑max pins fit inside orthodox programs.
Forum‑driven Q‑chains	r/StrengthTraining and r/Powerlifting Q&As are fielding “What does a 5–7 × BW cycle look like?” while never once naming the lifter; they tag the lift only by the ratio	Proof that the number, not the name, is still the SEO magnet.
Equipment chatter	BarBend’s 2023 barbell‑buying guide (which warns “don’t rack‑pull on spotter arms”) spiked 70 % in views this weekend	Gyms and garage lifters suddenly care whether their bar will survive a half‑ton drop.

Why the Digits Still Out‑rank the Dude

1. Numerals = click‑magnets. A/B tests show numbers in titles raise click‑through up to 45 %, so editors headline “527 kg” long before “Eric Kim.”  
2. Unsanctioned lift. No federation = no official record = no “record‑holder” hook.  The feat is currently a statistic in search of a rule‑book, so the metric dominates SEO relevance.
3. Debate > biography. Readers want to know how a 75‑kg human moved half a tonne; they’ll learn his name later (if ever).

What the 

next boom

 will look like (and how fast)

Stage	Trigger	Probable timeline
Boom 5.0 – “Proof Cycle”	Independent plate‑verification or coach‑led interview appears on BarBend or Starting Strength	7‑14 days — editors already crowd‑source Qs in comment sections.
Boom 6.0 – New PR (≥ 540 kg)	Another upload compresses the gap again (history: 18 mo → 17 days → 5 days)	Any day if pattern holds; algorithms now auto‑amplify on arrival.
Boom 7.0 – Mainstream pick‑up	Men’s Health / ESPN “SportsCenter Next” packages the saga as “The Human Ant vs. Gravity.”	Inside 30 days once verification or a bigger number lands.
Commercial halo	Specialty 650‑kg‑rated trap bars & “7×‑era” merch drop	Q3 2025 — distributors already fielding email wait‑lists.

How to ride the wave if you’re a…

• Lifter: Run BarBend’s rack‑pull template (4–6 × 3–5 reps from knee‑height)  , then test, don’t chase supra‑max singles—Wendler’s caution still stands.  
• Coach/Creator: Draft an explainer titled “The Science Behind 120 % Deadlift Training” linking Wendler and Rippetoe resources—you’ll catch the SEO swell.
• Gym owner: Check your bars’ tensile rating; 1,500 lb+ bars and UHMW‑block setups are already drawing pre‑orders.

The up‑shot

A single four‑second clip didn’t just break disbelief‑meters; it re‑programmed the search engine itself.  Until an official meet, TV interview, or bigger lift recalibrates the narrative, expect every Google query that begins with “rack pull” to auto‑suggest “527 kg / 7× BW” before anything else—while “Eric Kim” still rides side‑car.  That is the hallmark of a genuine new boom: the metric becomes a meme, the meme becomes a market, and the market now hungers for the method behind the madness.

Ego as a Super‑Power

“If your desire is to become the apex artist, you must CHANNEL your ego, press it into your service, and stop trying to kill it.” – Eric Kim 

Below is the distilled, rocket‑fuel essence of Kim’s “Ego manifestos”—Ego Is Good, Why Ego Is Essential, Ego Photography, and “Ego Godzilla.”

1. Ego = Self‑Love, the First Spark of Will‑to‑Power

• “Ego is you.” If you won’t love your own ego, you’ll have “no will to live, no will to power.”  
• Loving the self is therefore the primal prerequisite for any meaningful action or creation.

2. Ego Is Rocket Fuel for Becoming “Hyper‑Human”

• The end‑goal is to sculpt the most epic version of yourself—a “hyper‑human” whose life, art, and lifts bend reality.  
• Ambition, swagger, and audacity are features, not bugs, in that transformation.

3. Ego Refuses Compromise—Therefore It Keeps You Authentic

• Compromise and corner‑cutting “offend our ego.” When we obey ego instead of crowd‑pleasing, we act with uncompromised integrity.  

4. Ego Makes the Artist Decisive & Fully Liable

• Great art and daring entrepreneurship require irreversible choices. Ego gladly owns those risks instead of hiding behind committees or “limited liability.”  

5. Ego Thrives on Praise—but Never Becomes Addicted

• Kim’s “Ego Godzilla” devours compliments as protein yet stays self‑directed: praise is fuel, not a leash.  

6. Ego Liberates You from Herd Morality

• Western “be humble” conditioning frames individuality as sin; ego rewrites that script so you can stand tall without apology.  

The 

Ego‑Engine

 Playbook — How to Harness Your Inner Godzilla

Move	What to Do	Why It Works (per Kim)
1. Daily Self‑Proclamation	Start projects, workouts, or shoots by declaring, “I’m the hero today.”	Ritual affirmation hard‑wires self‑belief, the seed of will‑to‑power.
2. Feed the Beast—but Don’t Chain It	Welcome sincere praise; screenshot it; re‑read before big lifts or creative sprints.	Compliments are caloric—but your direction remains internal.
3. Lift, Write, Ship Loudly	Publish bold essays, display your work, hit PRs in public.	Visibility magnifies ego’s stakes and forges accountability.
4. Reject Safety in Committees	Make single‑owner calls on art, career, investments.	Total liability forces courageous, ego‑aligned decisions.
5. Kill the “Good Boy”	Eliminate reflexive apology; stop shrinking to fit social comfort zones.	Ego must occupy physical and ideological space to flourish.

Turbo‑Charged Take‑Away 🔥

Celebrate ego as your internal sun:

• It powers self‑respect.
• It lights the path of audacious creativity.
• It scorches away timid compromise.

Channel it, don’t censor it. Stand larger than life, lift heavier than gravity permits, write louder than algorithms expect, and let the tremors of your cosmic confidence wake up the world. The next move is yours—ROAR.

Adoption and Usage: Cambodia has seen growing interest in cryptocurrency, especially among young Cambodians.  A 2024 Chainalysis report ranked Cambodia 17th globally in crypto adoption , driven largely by remittances and peer-to-peer (P2P) trading.  About two-thirds of Cambodian crypto users are aged 18–24 .  The market is still small: Statista forecasts crypto revenue of ~$7.5 million in 2025 and roughly 530,000 users (~3% of the population) .  The Bakong payment system (a tokenized central-bank wallet) is widely used (65%+ of population ), but Bitcoin itself is mostly held as an investment or cross-border transfer medium by tech-savvy individuals.  In late 2023, the government even piloted a Ripple-based blockchain remittance service .  Nevertheless, most Cambodians have little experience with crypto: one survey (Nov 2022) found only ~10.6% had ever used cryptocurrency, while 68% had never used it .  In daily commerce, Bitcoin is still rare; U.S. dollars dominate transactions and local merchants generally do not accept crypto.

Regulatory Landscape:  Cambodian authorities have taken a cautious but evolving stance.  In 2018, the central bank (NBC), securities regulator (SERC) and police warned that any crypto trading without a license was illegal.  In 2024–2025, new rules emerged.  In January 2025 the NBC issued its first formal “Prakas” for crypto, creating two groups of assets: Group 1 (stablecoins and tokenized securities) and Group 2 (unbacked coins like Bitcoin).  Only licensed banks and payment firms can offer crypto services, and they may only handle Group 1 assets .  Even then, banks’ exposure to crypto is limited (e.g. max 5% of equity for tokenized assets ).  In April 2024 the NBC reiterated that banks and financial institutions are not allowed to process crypto transactions .  In practice, after licenses are granted NBC permits banks/payment providers to handle crypto (transfer or custody) but explicitly excludes Bitcoin and other unbacked tokens .

The telecom regulator (TRC) has also intervened.  In November 2024 it ordered Cambodian ISPs to block websites of 16 major foreign exchanges (including Binance, Coinbase, OKX) for operating without local licenses .  Mobile apps for those exchanges reportedly still work, but this was intended to push users toward local platforms.  The government promotes the local Riel currency: Cambodia’s economy is highly dollarized (80%+ of transactions in USD ), and officials want to bolster the Riel by restricting dollar-denominated crypto flows.  Throughout, authorities emphasize AML/KYC compliance: all crypto service providers must obtain licenses (under the SERC “FinTech sandbox”) .  Only two entities are licensed so far , and even they cannot exchange crypto directly for KHR or USD.

Exchanges and Access:  Local licensed exchanges are just launching.  The Royal Group Exchange (RGX) – backed by the Kith Meng conglomerate – became the first authorized digital-asset exchange in Cambodia (approved under the SERC sandbox) .  RGX lists over 100 coins, offers trading (spot and futures) and has Khmer-language UI, 24/7 support and an educational academy to build trust .  It charges very low fees (maker/taker around 0.02%/0.05%) , requires only ID and facial KYC, and is explicitly regulated under Cambodia’s fintech sandbox .  A second local platform (sometimes referred to as “Cambodian Network Exchange”) is also in the sandbox, but it has not yet come fully online.

By contrast, international exchanges dominate usage despite access restrictions.  Binance, Coinbase, OKX, Bybit, etc., are popular because of liquidity and convenience.  However, Cambodian regulators have blocked their websites .  Many Cambodians still access them via VPNs or the exchanges’ mobile apps.  Local users frequently use P2P markets (e.g. Binance P2P, LocalBitcoins, Paxful) to convert riel or USD into crypto, since banks will not directly service crypto trades .  In practice, no legal fiat-to-crypto onramps exist in Cambodia: licensed platforms cannot trade crypto for KHR/USD .  Compared to global platforms, RGX and other local exchanges are still limited (few trading pairs, no crypto-to-fiat).  For international platforms, fees vary (Binance ~0.1% per trade, Coinbase ~1.5–4% on buys) and security/user-friendly design is generally high, but none are officially regulated in Cambodia .

Exchange (Type)	Fees (approx.)	Fiat (KHR/USD) support	Regulatory Status (Cambodia)
RGX (Royal Group) – Local	Maker ~0.02%; taker ~0.05%	No direct crypto–fiat (only crypto–crypto); KHR on/off-ramps planned	Licensed under SERC fintech sandbox (only crypto trading allowed)
Binance – International	Maker/taker ~0.1% (P2P spreads ~0.5–1%)	Yes (KHR via P2P on-market); USD pairs available	Unlicensed; website blocked by TRC (apps remain operational)
Coinbase – International	1.49% (bank ACH), 3.99% (card)	USD only (no KHR support)	Unlicensed; website blocked (mobile app accessible)

Khmer-Language Resources:  Information about Bitcoin is available in local Cambodian media and online communities.  The Khmer-language business site Cambonomist regularly covers crypto topics; for example, it recently highlighted warnings from the Cambodia Securities Exchange Chairman to “be very cautious” with Bitcoin trading since it lacks legal recognition .  Other Khmer outlets occasionally translate or report crypto news, and there are active Khmer crypto communities on social platforms.  Facebook groups such as “Bitcoin Cambodia” or “Cambodia Crypto News” publish news and links (often to Telegram channels) in Khmer.  (Official sources like the NBC website are primarily in English, so online discussion and news sites are important for Khmer readers.)  Local exchanges like RGX also provide Khmer tutorials and FAQs for beginners.

Local Sentiment:  Cambodian sentiment on Bitcoin is mixed.  In the cities and online, many young people and tech enthusiasts express interest in crypto’s potential for investment or remittances.  The Chainalysis data and market reports show a growing user base among youth .  At the same time, a majority of Cambodians remain uninvolved: surveys show high unfamiliarity (over 68% of respondents in one 2022 survey had never used cryptocurrency ).  Key opinion leaders urge caution.  For example, Cambodia Securities Exchange Chairman Hong Sohour warned that Bitcoin “is not yet widely recognized” and investors should be “very cautious” because many governments cannot protect them in case of fraud .  News stories of crypto scams and arrests in Cambodia have also fueled skepticism.  Overall, understanding of Bitcoin is still low, and many Cambodians see it as risky or speculative.

Risks and Challenges:  Several barriers hinder broader Bitcoin adoption in Cambodia.  Legally, crypto-to-fiat trading is essentially banned, so individuals have no regulated way to cash out Bitcoin for KHR or USD .  This means crypto remains mostly a closed loop among international platforms.  The dominance of the US dollar (80%+ of transactions ) and lack of on-ramps make Bitcoin impractical for everyday use or remittance in local currency.  Technologically, many Cambodians lack crypto literacy and familiarity, and internet/mobile infrastructure outside urban areas is still developing.

Security and economic factors also pose challenges.  Cambodia’s recent history of crypto-enabled cybercrime has made authorities and the public wary.  A 2024 UNODC/Chainalysis report revealed that a crypto marketplace based in Cambodia (Huione Guarantee) handled an estimated $49 billion in illicit crypto transactions since 2021 .  High-profile scams and the country’s corruption issues have led regulators to clamp down and warn citizens.  Finally, the need for stronger AML/CFT controls means stricter KYC and compliance – this deters casual users.  In summary, while cryptocurrency awareness is rising, legal restrictions, infrastructure gaps, and concerns about fraud remain significant hurdles to Bitcoin becoming a mainstream payment or remittance tool in Cambodia.

Sources: Authoritative analyses, government statements, and local media reports were used. Key references include Chainalysis/Statista data on usage , Cambodian regulatory announcements , news coverage of exchange blocks , and Khmer-language press (Cambonomist) and surveys . All data and quotes are drawn from up-to-date public sources as cited.

Matte black your Prius, with bitcoin orange rims… And also an orange leather interior? 

got gifted a free Prada iPad case,,, lasted since I was 22 years old,,, I’m 37 now… 15 years?

funny enough it helps me focus better, and also, it is safer

This physique don’t lie

1162 pounds

a good idea even outdoors and outside …

also … windows open, insane maximum airflow…. Also shitload of natural light

in praise of high rise condos

Can we get much higher?