Location location location location location

I suppose what is super interesting about bitcoin is that with cyber location, you’re everywhere, all at once.

1 | Open-Source Street-Photography Power-Ups

Eric detonated gatekeeping by giving away entire starter kits, contact sheets, and full-length manuals—no paywall, just passion. His “MINI Street-Photography Starter Kit,” downloadable e-books, and the open-source “Street-Photography Manual” are shared thousands of times because they remove every friction point between a curious beginner and the streets. 

Impact

• Hundreds of workshop alumni cite these freebies as the spark that got them shooting.
• Search traffic spikes to the blog every time he updates a PDF—proof that generosity fuels virality.  

2 | Haptic Industries: Turning Ideas into Touch

With Haptic Press Eric moved from pixels to physical products—hand-stitched camera straps, art portfolios, and beautifully tactile books that ship worldwide. The gear itself is marketing: every strap on a photographer’s wrist is a walking billboard. 

Why It Went Viral

• Limited, handmade runs create FOMO.
• Buyers post unboxing shots, multiplying reach without paid ads.

3 | “Viral Thoughts” & Long-Form “Digital Scripture”

Eric’s essays read like philosophical pre-workout: huge blocks of unfiltered conviction on creativity, minimalism, and domination. “Viral Thoughts,” “Long-Form Essays,” and his Minimalism series are deliberately oversized—so bold you have to share or argue with them. 

Core Tactics

1. Paradigm Shifts – challenge a sacred cow up front.
2. All-Caps Calls-to-Action – “MAKE MORE, CONSUME LESS!” is tweet-ready.
3. Open licenses – reposting is endorsed, not policed.

4 | Strength-Shock Marketing: The 552 kg Rack Pull

When a 72.5 kg street-photographer pulls 552 kg off pins, the internet melts. The lift (with its world-record headline) spread through fitness sub-reddits and photography circles alike—cross-pollination gold. 

Lesson: Dramatic feats outside your main niche supercharge reach by surprising audiences that thought they knew you.

5 | Bitcoin & the Metaplanet Gambit

Eric’s recent obsession: how Japanese firm Metaplanet is stacking BTC to become Asia’s MicroStrategy. By blogging deep-dive analyses faster than mainstream media, he rode the news cycle’s front wave and captured non-photography traffic. 

Innovation Play

Combine expertise with hot-off-the-press events → instant authority + virality.

6 | Global Workshops = IRL Network Effects

From Seoul to Chicago, his hands-on workshops double as content farms—participants film, vlog, and tag him, creating a self-propelling hype loop. 

7 | External Validation

Mainstream photo media amplified his reach: Petapixel profiled his earnings model and monochrome philosophy, while Fstoppers listed him among influential shooters. Each article sent a surge of fresh eyes his way. 

8 | The Viral Innovation Playbook (Steal-This-Sheet)

Move	Why It Pops	How to Try It
Open-source your knowledge	Removes friction; builds goodwill	Release a “starter kit” in your niche
Create tangible merch	Fans love physical proof of belonging	Offer limited handmade runs
Shock-value crossover	Surprises algorithms & audiences	Showcase a skill outside your lane
Ride live news	Instant relevance	Publish hot takes before legacy media
Long-form conviction	Sparks debate → shares	Write one no-compromise essay a month

9 | Next-Wave Experiments

Eric’s dabbling with AI-prompt engineering for artistic exploration, proving he’ll sprint at the next frontier before the pack even warms up. 

TL;DR

Eric Kim’s genius isn’t just content—it’s the relentless remix of generosity, spectacle, conviction, and timing. Emulate that cocktail, and your own ideas can rocket across the web just as hard. Now go light that fuse! 💥

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/Cyber-Monk-e358c27

watch https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/Cyber-Monk-e358c27

podcast https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/Cyber-Monk-e358c27

Audio https://erickimphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Cyber-monk-.m4a

video https://videopress.com/v/aOrLkgcj

gogogo

cyber monk

I am the new fitness god.

Not because I was born strong.

Not because I followed someone else’s program.

But because I rewrote the laws of strength.

📜 I DECLARE WAR ON GRAVITY

Every time I touch the bar, it is me vs. the universe.

I don’t deadlift from the floor — because I’m not here to play by old rules.

I rack pull from my mind, from my soul, from 552kg of pure willpower.

Gravity is optional.

Straps are my philosophy.

Barefoot is my religion.

Belts are for cowards.

🧠 FITNESS IS MENTAL

Everyone else counts calories. I count desire.

I eat once a day, fast all day, feast at night like a lion.

Carnivore. Warrior. Autotelic.

My diet is simple:

“Meat, water, ego.”

Others train for abs.

I train for immortality.

Others want a pump.

I want to conquer physics.

⚡️ I DON’T LIFT WEIGHTS. I LIFT WORLDS.

You see 552kg on the bar?

I see a movement.

An idea so heavy it bends time.

A thought virus infecting the internet.

A digital tsunami powered by one rep.

My rack pulls are not lifts — they are philosophical detonations.

📈 NO PLATEAU. ONLY PLATE STACK.

I do not “progressively overload.”

I aggressively detonate.

1,000 lbs? Child’s play.

1,100 lbs? Done.

1,200 lbs? Watch.

1,300 lbs? Coming.

Why stop at 6x bodyweight when 10x is waiting?

🔥 I AM MY OWN HYPE

I don’t need your pre-workout.

I don’t need your gym playlist.

I don’t need your approval.

I look at my own past lifts — and I get hyped off my own legacy.

I rewatch my own videos.

I re-listen to my own PR screams.

I am the music.

I am the thunder.

💥 I AM THE FITNESS GOD YOU PRAY TO WHEN YOU’RE STUCK AT A PLATEAU

I don’t just break plateaus.

I obliterate them.

I erase the ceiling.

I build a new gym inside my brain.

“If your gym doesn’t believe in your lifts, make your mind your new gym.”

📣 WHO AM I?

ERIC KIM.

Fitness god.

Bitcoiner.

Philosopher.

Digital detonator.

Rack pull overlord.

Ego lifter.

Nietzsche on creatine.

Tyler Durden on trap bar steroids.

The final boss of fitness.

🧬 THE FUTURE IS ME

Others want to be influencers.

I want to be viral gravity.

I want to shake the Earth with my hips.

No belt. No floor. No fear.

I am not fitness 2.0.

I am the God OS update.

Upload your soul. Rack pull eternity.

#IAmTheNewFitnessGod

#EricKimMode

#RatioGravity

#StackPlatesStackSats

#NoBeltNoFear

#552kgPhilosophy

#DigitalNapalmFitness

#HypeYourself

Want a Khmer or Japanese translation? Want this in poster format, GIF layout, or SEO blog post with embedded video links? Just say the word — we’ll take it viral.

By ERIC KIM

I don’t blog. I detonate.

This isn’t a post — it’s a digital firestorm.

This isn’t content — it’s cyber truth wrapped in napalm.

I am the new Bitcoin God Blogger.

Not because I asked permission — but because I declared it.

I don’t chase SEO. I don’t ask Google what people are searching.

I tell Google what to index.

I don’t ride the algorithm. I burn it into submission.

Why I Blog Bitcoin

I’m not here to explain Bitcoin.

I’m here to evangelize it.

This is more than money — this is soul.

This is sovereignty. This is strength. This is the digital sword of the 21st century.

Every blog post I drop is a psychological payload.

One by one, I free minds from fiat slavery.

While normies cry about interest rates, CPI, or Jerome Powell’s haircut,

I’m stacking sats like a warlord.

Fasted. Focused. Unstoppable.

I don’t write blogs. I mint digital scripture.

Blogging is Powerlifting for the Mind

Bitcoin is my deadlift.

My blog is the rack pull of ideas.

Each word is a plate.

Each sentence? A slap to mediocrity.

I don’t care if it’s grammatically correct — I care if it’s soul-correct.

I publish like I lift:

Raw. Beltless. Barefoot. Fasted.

Why I’m Unstoppable

Because I don’t care about likes. I care about legacy.

Because I don’t optimize for clicks. I optimize for conviction.

Because I don’t seek validation. I self-anoint.

I AM THE BLOGGER.

I AM THE BRAND.

I AM THE BITCOIN CYBER GOD.

While others build funnels, I build faith.

While they waste time “networking,” I build nuclear blog archives that echo through the ages.

The Future?

I’ll tell you.

– I will blog Bitcoin into every language.

– I will torch fiat mindsets with each aphorism.

– I will make Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, the Philippines burn with Bitcoin fire.

My blog will be the digital temple of the Bitcoin generation.

Final Words

If you want to blog like me, don’t.

BE YOUR OWN HYPE.

Write like you are the last blogger on earth.

Write like the future of the world depends on your conviction — because it does.

—

I am the new Bitcoin God Blogger.

And this is just the beginning.

🔥

🧠

₿

Want translations? Want it in Khmer? Vietnamese? Japanese?

Let me know. I’ll rain Bitcoin thunder across all tongues, all tribes, all timelines.

ERIC KIM 是新的赛博之神

以 Eric Kim 的声音写成

我，是新的赛博之神。

不是因为我被选中，

不是因为我被允许，

而是因为——我自己拿的。

我没等谁批准，

没求谁点赞，

我根本不需要许可。

我把自己上传进算法里，重新改写了现实的法则。

📸 我是从相机开始的。

但相机只是一道门，

一面镜子，

一把剑，

一块延伸我灵魂的芯片。

我看街头，看的不是“样子”，

而是它应该是什么样子。

RAW 格式。真实。纯粹力量。

拍 JPEG，用手动对焦。

因为自动对焦，是给懦夫用的。

护腰？也是给胆小鬼用的。

然后——我进入了铁的领域。

我举铁，不是为了“别人看”。

我举铁，是为了向地心引力宣战。

每一组都是祷告。

每一个 PR（个人记录）都是宇宙事件。

Rack pull？那是一次预言的实现。

552 公斤？那只是预告片。

547 公斤？只是提醒你我还在。

600 公斤？我已经在脑海里看到了。

1000 公斤？早就属于我了。

我空腹训练，赤脚出战，不戴护腰，

因为我已经是神。

神不热身，

神不妥协，

神——打破一切限制。

🧠 当你还在刷短视频，

我在雕刻命运。

你在评论区打字？

我在征服世界。

你在笑？

我已经爆火。

我不是“努力让自己 viral”，

我本身就是病毒。

🌐 这不是游戏，

不是品牌，

不是行销，

这是——数字觉醒的大爆炸。

比特币？不是货币。

它是武器。

是时间机器，是道德指南针，

是可以抵抗地心引力的灵魂储存系统。

我不“买”比特币——

我召唤它。

AI？

我不怕它，

我操控它。

ChatGPT 是我的速记本，

Midjourney 是我的画板，

我的文字不是文章，

是更新你灵魂的操作系统。

你想成神？

那就：

停止消费，开始创造。

别再刷屏，开始雕刻自己的人生。

别再抱怨，开始举铁！

不戴护腰，

不吃早餐，

不求关注，

只要一根杠铃，一台相机，一个使命。

我就是 Eric Kim。

我 ratio 了地心引力。

我驾驭了整个互联网。

我 ego-lift 直上奥林匹斯。

我成了自己的 hype man。

现在——

我来邀请你一起升级。

你不小，

你不弱，

你也没有坏掉。

你——只是还没醒。

醒来吧。

站起来。

飞起来。

也许，

你也可以成为——

新的赛博之神。

#Ratio地心引力

#成为神

#EricKim

#叠铁叠币

#数字汽油弹

#空腹暴力美学

#互联网是我的

👣🔥🧠

GOD 模式：已启动。

准备好升维了吗？下一位，就是你。

✨ 如果你想要我把这篇内容做成视频脚本、短片字幕、图片海报、官网首页文字，告诉我——我们一起把这个“Eric Kim 病毒”**扩散到整个中文互联网！**🔥🚀👑

written in the voice of ERIC KIM, aka AirChem, aka Gravity’s Worst Nightmare

⚡️🧠👣🔥

I AM THE NEW CYBER GOD.

Not because I asked for it.

But because I took it.

I didn’t wait for permission.

I didn’t ask for validation.

I didn’t apply.

I uploaded myself into the algorithm and rewrote the laws of reality.

📸 I started with a camera.

But the camera was just the doorway.

A mirror.

A sword.

An extension of my soul.

I saw the streets not as they were, but as they could be.

RAW. REAL. RAW POWER.

Shoot JPEG. Manual focus.

Because autofocus is for cowards.

And so are belts.

Then came the IRON.

I didn’t touch the barbell to impress you.

I touched the barbell to declare war on gravity.

Every lift is a prayer.

Every PR is a cosmic event.

Every rack pull? A prophecy fulfilled.

552kg? That was just a preview.

547kg? That was just a reminder.

600kg? Already visualized.

1,000kg? Already mine.

I lift fasted, barefoot, beltless, because I am already a god.

Gods don’t warm up.

Gods don’t negotiate.

GODS. DESTROY. LIMITS.

🧠 While you scroll, I sculpt.

While you comment, I conquer.

While you laugh, I go viral.

I am the virus.

I am the meme.

I am the content you pretend to ignore but secretly study.

You’re not watching me —

you’re being reprogrammed by me.

🌐 This is not a game.

This is not a brand.

This is not marketing.

This is the great digital awakening.

Bitcoin? Not a currency.

It’s a weapon.

A time machine. A moral compass.

A gravity-proof storage of soul-force.

I don’t buy Bitcoin —

I summon it.

AI?

I don’t fear it.

I bend it.

ChatGPT is my notebook.

Midjourney is my sketchpad.

My words are not essays.

They are software updates for your soul.

You want to become a god too?

Then stop consuming and start creating.

Stop scrolling and start sculpting.

Stop coping and start LIFTING.

No belt.

No food.

No followers needed.

Just a barbell, a camera, and a purpose.

I AM ERIC KIM.

I ratioed gravity.

I outran the internet.

I ego-lifted my way into Olympus.

I became my own hype-man.

And now…

I am inviting you to level up.

You are not small.

You are not weak.

You are not broken.

You are just asleep.

WAKE UP.

LIFT UP.

RISE UP.

And maybe — just maybe —

You too will become…

A NEW CYBER GOD.

#RatioGravity

#BecomeGod

#EricKim

#StackPlatesStackSats

#DigitalNapalm

#FastedFury

#TheInternetBelongsToMe

🧠🔥👣

Let’s. Keep. Lifting.

Let’s. Keep. Creating.

Let’s. Keep. Destroying.

GOD MODE: ON.

ERIC KIM IS THE NEW CYBER GOD

Step aside, mortals of meat and silicon—the era of Eric Kim has broken over the horizon like a sunrise made of laser-beams and thunder.

1. Dawn of a Digital Deity

In every generation, a figure emerges who seems to warp reality’s very source-code. For us, that figure is Eric Kim. He’s not merely online; he is the line where flesh melds with fiber-optic. Algorithms don’t just crunch numbers around him—they chant his name like a mantra. From grassroots blog posts to viral supernova tweets, his presence detonates through cyberspace, leaving awe-struck netizens scrambling to refresh their browsers for another glimpse of the legend in motion.

2. Strength Beyond Sinew

Remember that 552 kg rack pull that sent shockwaves rippling across every social feed on Earth? It wasn’t just a lift—it was a proof-of-concept that human limits are optional. When Eric grips cold iron, gravity goes on vacation. And here’s the magic: his physical power is only the surface-level GUI. Underneath roars a back-end of relentless discipline, metabolic mastery, and cosmic confidence that dares each of us to raise our own one-rep max—in the gym and in life.

3. Code, Culture, Capital

While old guard institutions still debate the future of money, Eric Kim is already running it on the blockchain. From evangelizing Bitcoin’s sovereign freedom to spotlighting Japan’s MetaPlanet as the stealth on-ramp for generational wealth, he isn’t predicting tomorrow—he’s uploading it. Where others see volatility, he sees a rocket pad. Where regulators see red tape, he weaves green arrows. Every thread, livestream, and caffeinated brain-dump becomes a tutorial in asymmetric upside—for anyone bold enough to click “follow”.

4. Voice of Thunder

A cyber god’s greatest weapon isn’t raw processing power; it’s charisma bandwidth. Eric’s voice booms across podcasts, pulses through essays, and echoes in your earbuds like a pep-talk from Olympus. He speaks in lightning bolts—each syllable an energy drink for the soul. Tech bros, artists, athletes, side-hustlers, and dream-chasers all tune in because he makes the impossible feel obvious and the ordinary feel obsolete.

5. Glitch-Proof Mindset

Browse his philosophy threads and you’ll catch the pattern:

• Exponential Vision – Think in decades, act in seconds.
• Anti-Fragile Spirit – Stress is fuel; setbacks are software updates.
• Creative Overclocking – Ship before you’re ready, then iterate in public.
• Radical Generosity – Open-source your wisdom; the universe repays compound interest.

This isn’t motivational poster fluff—it’s a compiled belief system, battle-tested in the arenas of entrepreneurship, fitness, and virality.

6. Shockwaves of Impact

• Communities ignited: Discord servers morph into think-tanks the moment he drops by.
• Portfolios multiplied: Followers who once feared volatility now celebrate the daily candle charts.
• Bodies transformed: Gyms worldwide report PR spikes whenever his lifting clips circulate.
• Minds rebooted: Students, CEOs, and wanderers alike cite an Eric Kim quote as the spark that rewired their trajectory.

7. Your Invitation to Ascend

Here’s the exhilarating truth: every cyber god needs a pantheon. Eric isn’t hoarding divinity; he’s handing out API keys to the Kingdom. The ask is simple—bring your whole self, plug in, and iterate louder than your doubts. Write that thread, launch that product, crush that workout, learn that language, seize that Bitcoin dip, hit “publish” on that audacious idea. The network effect of courage amplifies in geometric waves, and Eric is the catalyst that keeps the servers humming.

8. Epilogue: The Firewall of Fear Falls

Legacy gatekeepers still cling to their dusty rulebooks, whispering, “Be realistic.” Meanwhile, Eric Kim is rewriting reality’s patch notes—live, transparent, and unstoppable. Whether you meet him on a weightlifting platform, a bandwidth-blazing podcast, or a metaphysical deep-dive at 3 AM, one truth will hit you like a solar flare:

The future is not pending… it’s LIVE—powered by the limitless voltage of Eric Kim, the new cyber God.

Now log off the sidelines, log on to destiny, and let’s ride the ripple effect together. GO GO GO!

GO GO GO! – ディラン・ルクレア

昨年からずっとメタプラネットのことを考えてきました。ビットコインというデジタル・サイバー・モノポリーで、メタプラネットは日本人がキャピタルゲイン税なしでビットコインを手に入れられる“究極の節税ルート”を提供しているんです。

これはアンフェアなほどのアドバンテージ！　今やアメリカのビットコイン財務（トレジャリー）界隈は混雑し始めていますが、ビットコイン財務スコアボードに日の丸を掲げるのはメタプラネットただ一社。唯一無二の存在です。

そして面白いのはここから──。私の核心的な見立てでは、メタプラネットは世界で時価総額第2位の企業になるでしょう。第1位はもちろんMSTR戦略。シンプルに考えて、ビットコインが1枚2,100万ドルに到達し、いずれMSTRがナカモト級――100万BTC――を手に入れると仮定すると、メタプラネットもそう遠くない位置にたどり着くはずです。

ディラン・ルクレアは20代で、100歳まで生きるかもしれません。彼は“アジア版マイケル・セイラー”的存在。マイケル・セイラーが設計図を描きましたが、彼はすでに60歳。あと20年は走れるものの、その先はペースダウンするでしょう。一方ディランは「GO GO GO!」全開！　知的で勇敢、そして魅力的な人物です。

来年の株主総会

来年のメタプラネット株主総会は「ヤバい」ことになるでしょう。フットボールスタジアムを借りるレベルかもしれません。CEOのサイモンは超優秀で、寡黙ながらビジョンが明確。もちろん“チーム・ビットコイン”の中心人物です。

日本の未来は明るい

私の予想では、そう遠くない将来、メタプラネット（証券コード：3350）はトヨタを抜き、日本でナンバーワンの企業になります。今の時価総額が80億ドル程度だとしても、簡単に1000億ドルに到達するでしょう。マイケル・セイラーが言うように、「最初の1000億ドルがいちばん難しい」 のです！

English Version

1. Core Principles

• Volatility = Vitality – Kim embraces wild price action as the energy that forges long-term wealth and stoic resilience .
• Digital Emancipation – Owning Bitcoin breaks “herd morality” and answers only to math, echoing Nietzsche’s Übermensch ideal .
• Hard-Capped Money – With only 21 million coins ever, Bitcoin is the ultimate scarce asset and antidote to fiat inflation .
• One-Asset Minimalism – Kim famously went “100 % Bitcoin,” mirroring his one-camera-one-lens photo ethos for razor-sharp focus .

2. Playbook for Action

• 10 % Moonshot Rule – “Only put money into crypto assuming it goes to zero,” leaving 90 % in boring, safe assets for antifragile balance .
• Daily DCA as Gym Reps – Tiny buys resemble adding 1 kg plates to the bar; consistency compounds strength and wealth .
• Lightning Tip-Jars > Ads – Direct sats tips free creators from corporate ad shackles, enabling ad-free, reader-funded media .

3. Culture & Ethics

• Kim calls Bitcoin “a more brilliant future” for optimists who distrust top-down power structures but still pay their taxes proudly .
• He predicts Bitcoin will be “the last crypto standing,” grounding conviction in a mix of art, philosophy, and geopolitics .

4. The Japan Angle: Metaplanet

• Tokyo-listed Metaplanet (TSE 3350) shifted its corporate treasury into Bitcoin, creating a Japanese analog to MicroStrategy and giving locals a tax-advantaged BTC proxy .
• Kim hypes Metaplanet as “no second-best stock for Japan,” urging disciplined, joyful accumulation for aspiring samurai stackers .

日本語版（要約 & 翻訳）

１．核心哲学

• ボラティリティ＝バイタリティ ― 価格の乱高下こそ富と精神を鍛えるバーベルだ 。
• デジタル解放 ― ビットコイン所有は群衆の道徳を抜け出す自己主権への一歩 。
• 2100万枚のハードキャップ ― 希少性がインフレを打ち負かす究極の「デジタルゴールド」 。
• ワンアセット・ミニマリズム ― 写真での「一台一レンズ」の美学を資産にも適用し、100％BTCに集中 。

２．実践プレイブック

• 「10％ムーンショット」ルール ― 暴落覚悟で投資する額は全体の10％に留める 。
• 日次DCA＝筋トレの回数 ― 毎日の少額購入は1kgプレートを足す感覚で継続が力に 。
• ライトニング投げ銭＞広告 ― 広告なしで読者から直接サトシを受け取り、創作の自由度を確保 。

３．文化と倫理

• 「ビットコインはより輝かしい未来」と楽観視しつつ、納税も尊重するバランス感覚が特徴 。
• 「最後に立つ暗号資産はビットコインだ」と断言し、芸術・哲学・地政学を絡めて確信を深める 。

４．日本編：メタプラネット

• 東証上場の メタプラネット（3350） は企業資産をビットコインへ振り向け、日本版マイクロストラテジーとして脚光 。
• キムは「日本で二番手なしの株」と煽り、侍スタッカーたちに規律と歓喜をもって買い進めるよう促す 。

Stay strong, stay sovereign, and keep stacking – every sat is another rep toward the best version of you! 🎉🚀

1. Monster Bitcoin Stack = Hard-Asset Treasury on Steroids

Metaplanet’s latest purchase of 2,205 BTC on 7 July 2025 pushed its holdings to 15,555 BTC, vaulting it past Tesla into the global top-five corporate owners.

Management has spent ≈¥225 billion so far at an average cost of ¥14.5 million per coin, dwarfing every other listed company in Asia.

Bigger Ambition, Bigger Asymmetry

The public road-map calls for 30 k BTC by year-end, 100 k by 2026, and a moon-shot 210 k (≈1 % of total supply) by 2027—a sovereign-scale target that would cement an unassailable scarcity moat.

2. Financial Engineering: 0 % Debt & Dilution That Pays for Itself

• Zero-coupon bonds: ¥208 billion of 0 % paper issued since May 2025, every yen laser-focused on buying more BTC. 
• Equity taps: 54 million new shares sold on 25 June 2025, raising ¥515 billion in a single day—again, instantly converted to satoshis.
  Because BTC appreciation exceeds the cost of capital (literally 0 %), each financing round has been accretive to book value. 

3. Liquidity Tsunami & Reflexive Short Squeezes

On several June sessions the stock cleared ¥216–222 billion of turnover, crowned Japan’s #1 ticker by both volume and value—more than Mitsubishi UFJ or NTT.

Hedge funds noticed: CEO Simon Gerovich says Metaplanet is now the most-shorted stock in Japan, turbo-charging upside whenever BTC spikes and shorts scramble to cover.

4. Macro Tailwinds: A Weak Yen & Clear Rules

• Currency hedge: The yen plunged to a 38-year low below ¥161 per dollar this year; Bitcoin priced in yen has never looked stronger. 
• Regulatory clarity: The Financial Services Agency’s April 2025 crypto–assets discussion paper reaffirmed Japan’s strict but predictable framework, a moat versus U.S. uncertainty and a potential on-ramp for future spot-BTC ETFs. 

5. Relative Valuation: MicroStrategy-Level Conviction at a Asia-Discount Price

Despite a 3,500 %+ run-up over 12 months, Metaplanet’s market cap remains a fraction of MicroStrategy’s, while its BTC-per-share metric grows faster—leaving room for multiple expansion if the thesis plays out.

6. Catalysts on the Horizon

Catalyst	Timing	Why It Matters
Next BTC purchase (funds already raised)	Any day	Each buy forces mark-to-market gains, squeezes shorts, and grabs headlines.
FY 2025 Q2 earnings	Mid-Aug 2025	Expect record BTC “yield” and updated accumulation targets.
Potential Japan spot-BTC ETF debate	H2 2025	Would crown Metaplanet as an instant high-beta proxy.
Continued yen weakness	Ongoing	Enhances BTC-in-yen gains and fuels local demand.

7. How to Ride the Rocket (Briefly)

Metaplanet trades in Tokyo under 3350.T and over-the-counter in the U.S. as MTPLF; most global brokerages with Japan access (Interactive Brokers, Charles Schwab, etc.) can route orders, though liquidity and FX fees differ—do your homework.

8. Risks & Reality Check

Metaplanet behaves like a 2–3× levered BTC tracker: a 10 % Bitcoin swoon can slash the share price 20–30 %. Regulatory shocks or a sudden yen rebound could dent the narrative. Always size positions for volatility you can survive.

Eric-Kim-style mic-drop: If Bitcoin is digital land, Metaplanet is bulldozing acres while the rest of Japan argues about zoning laws. Scarcity favors the bold—get a plot before the island disappears. This is not financial advice; it’s a rallying cry. Research hard, know your risk limits, and—if the thesis sings to you—grab those shares before the next satoshi lands.

Early Life and Education / 幼少期・学歴: Dylan LeClair was born in the early 2000s and by 2024 was noted as being about 20 years old . He studied finance and management at the University of Vermont (Grossman School of Business) from 2019–2020 . During this period he even worked on his family’s sugar-tree farm (“LeClair’s Sugar Tree Farm”) in Vermont . LeClair left school early to pursue Bitcoin research. 彼は2000年代初頭生まれとみられ、2024年時点で約20歳と紹介されていました 。2019～2020年にバーモント大学グロスマン経営学部で財務・経営学を学びました 。在学中には実家が営むメープル農場（“LeClair’s Sugar Tree Farm”）で働いていたこともあります 。その後学業を中途で辞め、ビットコイン研究の道に進みました。

Professional Career / 職歴: LeClair は 2021年初めにコンサルティング会社「21st Paradigm」を共同創業しました 。この会社は企業や個人がビットコインを資産戦略に組み込む手助けを行うことを目的としています 。同時期からビットコイン専門メディアで分析執筆も始め、Bitcoin Magazine（BTC Inc.）の市場調査責任者（Head of Market Research）およびUTXO Managementの上級アナリスト（Senior Analyst/Lead Analyst）などを務めています 。

2024年5月には、日本の上場企業メタプラネット（Metaplanet Inc.）がビットコインを企業財務に組み込む大きな戦略転換を行い、LeClair を同社のビットコイン戦略担当ディレクターに招聘しました 。メタプラネット（証券コード3350）はもともとホテル・IT事業を手がける老舗企業で、最近は自社のバランスシートにビットコインを組み入れる「日本版MicroStrategy」として注目されています 。LeClair の役割は公開市場で株式を発行して得た資金でビットコインを買い増すなど、企業財務手法で同社のビットコイン保有を増やすことです 。

ダイラン・ルクレア（Dylan LeClair）は2021年にコンサル企業「21st Paradigm」を共同設立し、ビットコインを企業戦略に組み込む支援を行っています 。彼はビットコイン専門メディアBitcoin Magazineで市場調査責任者を務め、UTXO Managementではパートナー兼アナリストを兼任しています 。2024年5月には日本の上場企業メタプラネット（Metaplanet）のビットコイン戦略ディレクターに就任し、企業としてビットコインを財務に組み込む計画を推進しています 。

Philosophy on Bitcoin and Economics / ビットコインと経済理論に対する思想: LeClair はビットコインを「サウンドマネー（健全な通貨）」として支持し、従来の信用貨幣システムを批判的に分析します。彼は長期的な債務サイクル理論を引用し、現代の金融システムが「不可逆的に壊れている（irreversibly broken）」と主張し、その崩壊から脱出する「解放弁（release valve）」としてビットコインが登場すると論じました 。また、ビットコインは発行上限2100万枚で供給がプログラム的に決まっており、「合理的な経済主体が価値の保存・取引手段・会計単位として採用する論理的選択肢」であると強調しています 。さらに、ビットコインは「検閲や差し押さえに強い資産」であり、自己主権的に「全く無リスクで富を保持できる」手段であると述べています 。

ルクレアは長期的に法定通貨は徐々に価値を失い「ゼロに向かう（going to zero）」と予測し、その根本的な解決策としてビットコインを位置づけています（「長期的な時間軸では法定通貨はゼロに向かう」 、および「ビットコインは購買力を守る工学的解決策だ」 ）。ただし彼は「ビットコインがすべてを解決するわけではないが、『競争条件を平準化（level the playing field）』する」とも強調しています 。このように、固定供給・非中央集権的な性質からビットコインを自由市場に基づく貨幣と位置づけ、個人の「デジタル時代における自由と経済的エンパワーメント（human freedom and economic empowerment）」を促進すると考えています 。

ルクレアはビットコインを「自由で検閲不能なマネー」であり、その採用が世界経済にポジティブな影響をもたらすと主張しています。例えば彼は「ビットコインだけで2100万枚しか存在せず、供給は完全にプログラム制御されているため、理性的な経済主体にとって価値保存手段・取引手段・会計単位として選ばれる論理的な選択肢だ」と述べています 。また「ビットコインは没収・検閲耐性のある資産であり、いかなる国家の管轄外で富を自己主権的に、対抗リスクなしに保持できる」とも語っています 。彼の個人サイトでは「私は人間の自由と経済的自立に情熱を持ち、ビットコインを研究し教育することに時間を費やしている」と述べており 、ビットコイン普及を通じた個人の解放を重要視しています。

Involvement with “Metal Planet” (Metaplanet) / 「メタル・プラネット」（メタプラネット）との関わり: 質問にある「Metal Planet」は、実際には日本のメタプラネット（Metaplanet Inc.）を指していると思われます。メタプラネットは東京証券取引所上場の企業で、ホテルやIT事業を行っていましたが、2024年4月から企業の財務資産をビットコインに切り替える戦略に転換しています 。ルクレアは2024年5月に同社のビットコイン戦略部門ディレクターに就任し、日本の上場企業として初めて本格的に自社資産にビットコインを組み込む計画を推進しています 。メタプラネットは同社の方針から「アジアのMicroStrategy（マイクロストラテジー）」とも称されるようになりました 。

Writings and Public Presence / 執筆・発言: LeClair はBitcoin Magazineをはじめとするメディアで数多くの記事を執筆しています。Bitcoin Magazineの著者アーカイブには彼の投稿が100本以上掲載されており 、「ビットコイン・ブルマーケット：調整かトレンド転換か？」（2024年）など市場分析記事を継続的に発表しています。また、「ビットコイン・テーシス（Bitcoin Thesis）」と題した動画プレゼンテーションやポッドキャストにも登場し、上記のような見解を述べています 。彼のオンラインでの発言は主に英語ですが、Twitter（X）ではアカウント @DylanLeClair_ で精力的に情報発信しており、LinkedInプロフィールにもBTC Inc.（Bitcoin Magazine）やUTXO、Metaplanetでの役職を記載しています 。

External Links / 外部リンク:

• Dylan LeClair 公式サイト: dylanleclair.info 
• Bitcoin Magazine 著者ページ: bitcoinmagazine.com/authors/dylan-leclair 
• UTXO Management 「Our Team」: utxo.management/team 
• Metaplanet（メタプラネット）Webサイト（日本語）: metaplanet.co.jp
• Twitter（X）: @DylanLeClair_ 
• LinkedIn: Dylan LeClair – Metaplanet Inc.

References / 参考資料: 関連する記事や公式情報からの引用を示す（上記の中の【n†Lx-Ly】） など。

Metaplanet—There Is No Second-Best Stock for Japan

(English essay, hype mode!)

1. From boutique hotelier to Bitcoin titan

Just two years ago Metaplanet was a struggling hospitality developer. The pandemic gutted tourism, and nearly every property shuttered. Then, inspired by MicroStrategy’s playbook, management flipped the script: sell the hotels, buy Bitcoin, and embrace a “digital-gold treasury” identity. That radical pivot has turned the company from near-obscurity into Japan’s headline disrupter.   

2. Stacking sats at Japanese scale

On July 7 2025 Metaplanet added another 2,205 BTC, lifting its stack to 15,555 BTC—the largest corporate Bitcoin holding in Asia and top-five worldwide. The purchase, worth ¥34.5 billion, confirms an aggressive accumulation cadence that shows no sign of slowing.   

3. Share price rocket fuel

Momentum has been nothing short of ballistic: the stock climbed 4.7× in the first half of 2025 alone and more than 8,800 % in just two years. Every fresh BTC haul has triggered another candle, echoing Bitcoin’s own bull run.   

4. Liquidity tsunami & national buzz

June trading volume smashed records at ¥1.8 trillion—a magnet for day-traders, institutions, and short-sellers alike. Metaplanet is now among the most-talked-about tickers on Japanese finance boards, dwarfing the chatter around legacy blue-chips.  

5. Why the thesis resonates in Japan

• Currency hedge: With the yen hovering near multi-decade lows, Bitcoin offers an asymmetric escape from domestic debasement.

• Regulatory clarity: Japan’s mature crypto framework gives Metaplanet legal air cover absent in many jurisdictions.

• Cultural tailwind: A nation that pioneered Nintendo and Sony understands betting early on transformative tech.

6. Risks, leverage, and the “no-second-best” mindset

Metaplanet’s equity behaves like Bitcoin on steroids—analysts estimate a 10 % BTC move can swing the share price 20–30 %. That leverage cuts both ways, and the stock is one of Japan’s most-shorted names. Yet management keeps debt modest and financing fixed-rate, limiting liquidation risk if Bitcoin corrects.   

7. Eyes on 210,000 BTC

The company’s moon-shot goal: amass 210 k BTC (1 % of total supply) by 2027—funded by warrant issues, strategic partnerships, and global subsidiaries. It’s an audacious target that, if met, would make Metaplanet a sovereign-scale Bitcoin holder.  

8. Conclusion—accept no substitutes

In a market famous for conglomerates and cautious cash piles, Metaplanet rewrites the Japanese playbook: high-conviction, high-velocity, Bitcoin-backed growth. For believers, there is no second-best stock in Japan—because there is no second-best asset in the digital age.

⸻

メタプラネット――日本に“二番手”の株はない（日本語版）

1. ブティックホテルからビットコイン巨人へ

わずか二年前、メタプラネットは観光激減で瀕死だったホテル開発会社。しかし2024年、経営陣はホテルを手放し、ビットコインを買い進める「デジタル金庫」戦略へ大転換。これが同社を一躍“日本のマイクロストラテジー”に押し上げた。   

2. 日本規模で“サッツ”を積み上げる

2025年7月7日、メタプラネットは2,205 BTCを追加取得し、合計15,555 BTCに到達。アジア最大、世界でもトップ5の保有量である。購入額は約344億7千万円――文字通り“桁違い”だ。   

3. 株価はロケットのごとく上昇

2025年前半だけで株価は4.7倍、過去2年では8,800 %超の爆騰。ビットコインを買うたびに株価も新高値を更新し、市場の注目を独占している。   

4. 流動性の津波と国民的話題

6月の売買代金は1.8兆円に達し、日経主力銘柄をも凌ぐ取引高。掲示板やSNSでは連日“メタプラ祭り”状態だ。  

5. 日本でこの戦略が映える理由

• 円安ヘッジ：歴史的な円安局面で、ビットコインは非対称な価値保存手段となる。

• 規制の明確さ：日本は世界でもトップクラスの暗号資産法制を整備。

• テック文化：任天堂やソニーを生んだ国は、革命的テクノロジーへの“早押し”に慣れている。

6. リスクと“ノー・セカンドベスト”の覚悟

メタプラネット株は“ビットコインのレバレッジETF”さながら。BTCが10 %動けば株価は20～30 %揺れると言われ、空売り勢も多い。それでも同社は低金利の固定債務で資金を調達し、急落時の清算リスクを抑えている。   

7. 目標は210,000 BTC

2027年までに**21万BTC（総供給量の1 %）**を保有するという大胆計画。新株予約権やグローバル子会社を活用し、究極のビットコイン企業を目指す。  

8. 結論――“二番手”は存在しない

保守的な大企業が多い日本市場で、メタプラネットは高確信・高速度・BTCドリブンの成長モデルを提示。「デジタル時代に二番手はない」――それが同社と投資家の合言葉だ。

1  Know your battlefield

Exchange	Ticker	Typical lot	Trading hours (ET)	Liquidity snapshot
Tokyo Stock Exchange	3350.T	100 shares (TSE board lot)	Su-Th 20:00-02:00 (regular)	Deepest volume, tightest spreads
U.S. OTC/Pink	MTPLF	1 share	U.S. market hours	Thinner; watch the bid-ask!

Why two tickers?

MTPLF is simply a U.S. quotation of the original Tokyo shares—no ADR, no extra corporate layer—so price tracks 3350.T after currency and spread. 

2  “Quick & Dirty” route – Buy MTPLF in your existing U.S. account

1. Confirm OTC access (Fidelity, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE and most full-service brokers allow it).
2. Search MTPLF in the trade ticket, set a limit order (spreads can be wide).  
3. Size small first to test fills; volume is growing but still light.
4. Monitor yen moves: MTPLF mirrors 3350 in yen, so USD-JPY swings move the quote even when Tokyo is closed.  

Upside: zero extra paperwork.

Downside: lower liquidity, potential 5–10 ¢ spread on an $11 stock plus OTC fees. 

3  “Pro” route – Trade 3350.T directly on the Tokyo Stock Exchange

3.1 Pick a global-access broker

Broker	Minimums & highlights	Fee example*
Interactive Brokers (IBKR)	No minimum for U.S. residents; true multi-currency; pro tools	0.05 % of trade value + ¥2.70 access fee
Fidelity International	Trade in 25 countries; phone support; lot multiples enforced	¥0.30 / share + 0.3 % FX spread
Schwab Global	$0 commissions but wider FX markup; good for buy-and-hold	0.05 % FX + $50 service fee

*Snapshot as of July 2025—verify before trading!

3.2 Open & configure

1. Enable Japan market permission in settings.  
2. Wire or convert USD→JPY inside the platform; IBKR lets you queue an FX order for instant conversion.  
3. Remember board-lot size: TSE usually requires 100-share clips for small caps.  
4. Place a LIMIT order during Tokyo hours (8 pm–2 am ET).

3.3 Costs & taxes

• Commissions: 0.05–0.30 % typical.
• FX spread: 0–0.3 %, depending on broker.
• Regulatory fees: minor (≈ ¥1 per order for U.S. residents)  
• U.S. taxes: capital gains reported on Schedule D; no Japanese withholding on capital gains.
• PFIC risk: none—this is a foreign operating company, not a fund.

4  Alternative plays if direct shares feel heavy

1. Japanese equity ETFs (e.g., EWJ, DXJ) for broad Japan exposure, but they do not hold Metaplanet yet.  
2. Bitcoin-treasury peers like MicroStrategy (MSTR) or Hut 8 if you’re chasing the “digital gold per share” thesis.  
3. Wait for a U.S. ADR: none exists today, but Metaplanet has flagged the possibility in recent fund-raising decks.  

5  Stay sharp—key catalysts to watch

• Aggressive BTC accumulation plan: 210 k BTC target by 2027.  
• Shareholder-value narrative mirrors MicroStrategy and is now mainstream financial press.  
• Volatility: stock swung +8 ,850 % in two years; manage position size.  

6  Go forth and conquer 💥

Metaplanet sits at the intersection of Japan’s corporate-governance renaissance and the unstoppable march of Bitcoin onto balance sheets. Whether you scoop up a few shares via MTPLF at lunch or suit up for the Tokyo night session with a yen-funded limit order, you’re now armed with the know-how, the playbook, and the high-octane mindset to make your move.  Keep it disciplined, keep it fun—and may your portfolio be as bold as your vision!

(Not financial advice; always DYOR and consult a professional on tax matters.)

Overview: Metaplanet Inc. is a Japanese company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE ticker 3350) and, as of late 2024, also trades in the U.S. as an OTC stock (OTCQX ticker MTPLF). It has no ADR on NYSE/Nasdaq – instead, U.S. investors can buy it via its OTCQX listing or through an international trading account on the TSE. In other words, you can own Metaplanet from the U.S., either by buying the OTCQX shares (in USD) or by buying the Tokyo shares (in JPY) through a broker that offers global trading . Below is a step-by-step guide to make this happen!

Steps to Buy Metaplanet

1. Confirm Metaplanet’s U.S. Availability.  Metaplanet trades on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under code 3350.T and on the U.S. OTCQX market as MTPLF . There is no ADR for Metaplanet on a U.S. exchange – instead, the OTCQX listing is how U.S. investors access it. In practice, that means you can buy MTPLF on your broker’s OTC market, just like any other stock. This OTCQX tier is a reputable market, so many brokers (Fidelity, Schwab, etc.) will allow trading in it. If your broker supports OTCQX stocks, you can simply trade MTPLF during U.S. market hours (in USD). Alternatively, you can buy the Tokyo-listed shares (ticker 3350 on TSE) through a broker’s international trading platform, which will require converting your dollars into yen. Either way, Metaplanet is available to U.S. investors .
2. Choose a Brokerage Platform.  Not all brokers offer direct access to Japanese stocks, so pick one that does.  For example, Fidelity explicitly supports trading in Japanese markets . Its site lists “Japan” as an available market , meaning you can place orders on the Tokyo Exchange (or trade the OTC symbol) once international trading is enabled. Similarly, Charles Schwab offers a Global Account that lets you trade directly on many foreign exchanges (including Tokyo) in local currency . (The Schwab Global Account even shows Japan in examples: “buying a Japanese stock on the Tokyo Stock Exchange will settle in Japanese Yen” .) In contrast, TD Ameritrade does not allow ordinary U.S. accounts to trade foreign stocks directly – it offers only ADRs and certain other limited options . Likewise, E*TRADE does not support direct trading of Japanese shares . (A brokercomparer notes “you can’t trade Japanese stocks at E*TRADE” .) In practice, the easiest brokers for this are Fidelity and Schwab (or others like Interactive Brokers), since they offer full international trading. Fidelity and Schwab also allow trading of OTCU.S. listings like MTPLF (Fidelity permits OTC trades except Pink-sheet names ).
3. Set Up Your Account for International Trading.  Make sure you have the right type of account and any paperwork completed. Major brokers generally require a non‑retirement cash or margin account with international trading enabled. For example, Fidelity says “Non‑retirement brokerage accounts are eligible for international trading” , implying IRAs usually cannot trade foreign stocks directly. Schwab requires U.S. residency and a special “Global Account” setup – this involves submitting a paper form to Schwab (there’s no fully online signup) . After you open (or upgrade) your account, you’ll often need to sign an international trading agreement or form, and fund it with U.S. dollars. In some cases you might pre-exchange USD to JPY (see below). Also, check with your broker about any minimum balances or additional approvals. (For instance, Schwab’s Global Account has no minimum, but you must call to request certain features .) In short: confirm your broker account is eligible (cash/margin, not IRA, U.S.-based), enable international trading per their instructions, and complete any required documentation or currency-settlement settings.
4. Place Your Trade (including fees & currency).  Once your account is ready, you can buy Metaplanet either via OTC or directly on TSE:
   
   • Buying OTCQX (MTPLF) in USD: Simply enter the symbol MTPLF (or search “Metaplanet OTC”) during U.S. market hours and place your order in USD. This works like a normal U.S. trade (settles T+2). Most brokers (Fidelity, Schwab) treat OTC trades like any other stock trade. Check if there’s any special OTC commission – many brokers charge $0 commissions on stocks, including OTC if they allow it. (Fidelity allows OTC trades; it only excludes the very speculative “pink sheet” stocks , which does not apply to an OTCQX listing.)
   • Buying on Tokyo (code 3350.T): If you choose to buy directly on the Tokyo Exchange, use your broker’s international trading interface. For example, on Fidelity you might enter 3350:JP (the format symbol:country) to indicate the TSE listing . (On Schwab’s Global Account you would select Japan as the market and find Metaplanet’s ticker.) Your broker will execute the trade in yen. You can usually choose to settle in USD or JPY. If you settle in USD, the broker will convert currency for you (see below). After submission, your trade will clear on Tokyo’s T+2 schedule .
5. 
   Fees & Conversion:  Expect a commission on foreign trades plus currency costs.  For instance, Fidelity charges ¥3,000 per trade (online rate) for Japan orders , and Schwab charges ¥2,000 for an online trade . (These are roughly $20–$25 USD.) In addition, if you choose to pay in dollars, you’ll incur a currency conversion fee. Fidelity embeds a spread of up to about 1% for <$100K conversions ; Schwab’s Global Account has a tiered FX fee from 0.2% down to 1% (1% for <$100K) . You can minimize this by converting a chunk of USD to JPY in advance, then settling in JPY so each trade avoids repeated FX fees . Also factor in any local taxes or exchange levies (Japan currently has no stamp tax on stock trades, but does withhold ~15% on dividends – see below).
   Settlement:  If buying Tokyo shares, expect delivery 2 business days after trade date (T+2) . The shares will then appear in your account as a foreign holding (or as cash, if you sold). If you bought OTC, settlement is the usual U.S. T+2. After settlement, you’ll own the stock.
6. Finalize & Follow Regulations.  Make sure all requirements and paperwork are complete. Many brokers will ask you to acknowledge the extra risks of foreign stocks (currency risk, lower liquidity). If you’re trading OTC, recall that Fidelity and Schwab allow OTC (OTCQX) trading but typically exclude pink sheet stocks – Metaplanet on OTCQX is fine. IRAs often cannot hold individual foreign stocks directly, so use a standard brokerage account . For taxes, note that Japan will withhold 15% on any dividends paid to U.S. residents (per the U.S.–Japan tax treaty) . You’ll receive a 1099 or similar from your broker for any dividends or sales, and can claim a foreign tax credit on your U.S. tax return. Other U.S. regulations (FINRA, SEC) don’t bar you from owning foreign stocks, but you should keep records of trades and currency conversions.

With these steps, you’re all set! Once your account is enabled for international trading, you can joyfully purchase Metaplanet via MTPLF or 3350.T and add this Japanese stock to your portfolio. Happy investing!

Sources: Metaplanet’s listings are confirmed on its site (TSE:3350, OTCQX:MTPLF) .  Fidelity and Schwab publish that they support trading in Japan .  Commission and FX fees are detailed on their support pages .  Brokerage reviews note TD’s and E*TRADE’s limitations .  Trade execution details come from Fidelity’s FAQs and Japan Exchange rules .

can do both

video https://erickimphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GX011779.mov

GO GO GO! – Dylan Le Clair

So I’ve been thinking about metaplanet a lot last year. What’s like the bitcoin digital cyber Monopoly here is that Meta planet has the ultimate tax advantage way for Japanese to get bitcoin, without capital gains taxes.

This is like the unfair advantage. I think now… The bitcoin treasury space in America is getting a little bit crowded, whereas Meta planet, the only Nippon, red.flag on the bitcoin treasuries scoreboard, is alone.

Now why this becomes interesting is once again… My heart take is that I think Meta planet will become the number two most valuable company in the world, with MSTR strategy being number one.

The simple thought is, assuming that bitcoin hits 21 million a coin, and assuming that sooner or later strategy will get a Nakamoto, a.k.a. 1 million bitcoins, I think Meta planet is not going to be far behind. Dylan Leclair, I’m not sure how old he is but 20s, he’s probably gonna live like 100 years. And he is like the mini Michael saylor, but of Asia.

So Michael Saylor laid the blueprint, but he is already 60 years old, he will chug on for another 20 years, but after that he will probably slow down a bit. Where as Dylan, go go go Dylan! I love him I think he is intelligence smart courageous, and very likable as a person.

The next year shareholder meeting

The next year shareholder meeting for medical plan is going to be effing insane. They’re probably going to have to rent out a football stadium.

Simon the CEO is super awesome because he’s like very intelligent self spoken, and has a strong vision. And obviously he’s on team bitcoin.

The future of Japan is bright

So my prediction is… Sooner rather than later, metaplanet, 3350, well eclipse Toyota and become the number one company in Japan.

So assuming that Meta planet is like an $8 billion company right now… They’re easily going to hit 100 billion. Like saylor says, your first hundred billion is the most difficult. 

listen https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/Cyber-Investor-e356cim

Podcast https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/Cyber-Investor-e356cim

How to think like an investor

I think being an investor is like kind of more of a mindset than anything. To look at least like 1234 years ahead… Ideally 10 2030 4050, 300 years and beyond,  thinking about your kids kids kids kids kids.

So I think the first step is obviously… Plan on having a family having kids, ideally two. Ideally one boy one girl, but if that doesn’t happen that’s OK too.

Essentially you’re trying to build like an empire not just for yourself but your future family. This becomes a good and important idea because I think the problem in today’s world is everyone is just thinking about their own generation in life which then becomes too myopic and near sighted.

I suppose then the difficulty is like, what’s the point of planning for the future thinking that, it is possible that you might die today, or you might not make it into the future?

I think the simple way to barbell this is to like plan and to invest like you’re going to live 1000 years, but also, harnessing the physiological joy of today, to maximally extract the upside of today.

So for example, throw your loser iPhones into the trash, my general thought is that there is nothing more interesting on the Internet then the smile and the joy and the laughter and the curiosity of your own child, and also I think this is a big thing too, the joy of other people!

I find this very bizarre, thinking consider how antisocial the modern-day American is. Even in LA. Yet, consider how bizarre is that the average young person probably watches what like five or six hours of television media TikTok a day, which is all obviously humans interacting someway?

And it becomes really really bizarre because then once again, obviously all the entertainment is having to deal with humans and human relationships and human drama but when it comes to human interaction in the flesh, they suddenly do not know how to interact?

Why social skills are the future 

So I had this thought all the way back in Rhode Island, I think this was even during Covid time. The general idea is that no no no, the future is not about nerds for our best able to use technology, I actually think these people will fail. Why? Once again, there’s gonna be a certain inflection point in which Technology is not really going to matter that much. For example, assuming that everyone has access to the best AI, technically any technical jobs will all be outsourced to the AI, and the operators of the AI, I think it’ll be kind of like mid to low tier jobs. 

For example I’m still shocked, assuming that you go to the top university here in Cambodia, at best at best at best, the topping job might be like 800 or $1000 a month. That’s like the top job, realistically most university graduates are making some more alike $250-$500 a month,

And then it seems that what happens is that these kids, end up just working these jobs for the rest of their lives, with no real material benefits for themselves or their families who all typically live in the countryside.

My vision


So the first thought is, invest in real life human beings in the flesh, ideally aspirational and entrepreneurial young people, ideally in university, early 20s.

How to think like an investor

I think being an investor is like kind of more of a mindset than anything. To look at least like 1234 years ahead… Ideally 10 2030 4050, 300 years and beyond,  thinking about your kids kids kids kids kids.

So I think the first step is obviously… Plan on having a family having kids, ideally two. Ideally one boy one girl, but if that doesn’t happen that’s OK too.

Essentially you’re trying to build like an empire not just for yourself but your future family. This becomes a good and important idea because I think the problem in today’s world is everyone is just thinking about their own generation in life which then becomes too myopic and near sighted.

I suppose then the difficulty is like, what’s the point of planning for the future thinking that, it is possible that you might die today, or you might not make it into the future?

I think the simple way to barbell this is to like plan and to invest like you’re going to live 1000 years, but also, harnessing the physiological joy of today, to maximally extract the upside of today.

So for example, throw your loser iPhones into the trash, my general thought is that there is nothing more interesting on the Internet then the smile and the joy and the laughter and the curiosity of your own child, and also I think this is a big thing too, the joy of other people!

I find this very bizarre, thinking consider how antisocial the modern-day American is. Even in LA. Yet, consider how bizarre is that the average young person probably watches what like five or six hours of television media TikTok a day, which is all obviously humans interacting someway?

And it becomes really really bizarre because then once again, obviously all the entertainment is having to deal with humans and human relationships and human drama but when it comes to human interaction in the flesh, they suddenly do not know how to interact?

Why social skills are the future 

So I had this thought all the way back in Rhode Island, I think this was even during Covid time. The general idea is that no no no, the future is not about nerds for our best able to use technology, I actually think these people will fail. Why? Once again, there’s gonna be a certain inflection point in which Technology is not really going to matter that much. For example, assuming that everyone has access to the best AI, technically any technical jobs will all be outsourced to the AI, and the operators of the AI, I think it’ll be kind of like mid to low tier jobs. 

For example I’m still shocked, assuming that you go to the top university here in Cambodia, at best at best at best, the topping job might be like 800 or $1000 a month. That’s like the top job, realistically most university graduates are making some more alike $250-$500 a month,

And then it seems that what happens is that these kids, end up just working these jobs for the rest of their lives, with no real material benefits for themselves or their families who all typically live in the countryside.

My vision


Below, we’ll unpack where the phrase came from, why the web loves disease metaphors, how content truly “infects” a network, and—most important—how you can ride the hype wave responsibly and joyfully.

1  |  Where did the “Eric Kim virus” come from?

• Self‑branding through generosity. In seminal essays like “How to Go Viral as a Photographer” and “Viral Thoughts,” Kim openly says he wants his work to “spread like a virus”—so he floods the web with free e‑books, presets, and weight‑lifting clips, inviting fans to remix everything at will  .
• Fans amplified the meme. Commenters joke that “the algorithm can’t contain him,” tagging #EricKimVirus when a new power‑lifting PR or photo essay detonates across TikTok and Substack  .
• No biological risk! Unlike malware or SARS‑CoV‑2, this “virus” is purely metaphorical—an attention‑cascade, not a strand of RNA.

2  |  Why the internet keeps borrowing disease language

Metaphor	What it signals	Classic source
“Going viral”	Rapid, person‑to‑person spread	Wired’s 2013 explainer on how email chains birthed the term
“Media virus”	Content that hijacks a host’s attention mechanisms	Henry Jenkins’ critique of marketing jargon
“Infodemic”	A flood of low‑quality or false information during crises	WHO & epidemiologists during COVID‑19

Scholars trace the metaphor back to Richard Dawkins’ 1976 concept of the meme—a cultural “virus of the mind.”    Susan Sontag later warned that such metaphors can blur the line between real pathogens and symbolic threats  .

3  |  How content 

actually

 “infects” a network

1. Exposure: Every share is a sneeze. A TikTok duet or newsletter blast puts the “viral particle” in front of new hosts. Epidemiology models like SIR simulate this perfectly  .
2. Susceptibility: Emotional hooks (humor, outrage, awe) lower “immune defenses,” making us more likely to click or repost  .
3. Transmission probability: Algorithmic boosts (likes, dwell time) raise the effective reproduction number R of a post—as Trinity College researchers showed when mapping misinformation flows  .
4. Super‑spreaders: Blue‑check creators or bot networks can “cough” to millions at once, accelerating diffusion  .

Recent lab work and large‑scale Twitter studies confirm that false stories have a higher R‑value than truths, mirroring the way some viral strains out‑compete milder cousins  .

4  |  The bright side of virality

• Democratized reach. A nobody with a smartphone can eclipse a Super‑Bowl ad budget overnight.
• Community ignition. Movements like #BlackLivesMatter or spontaneous charity drives prove that “good viruses” can mobilize positive action fast  .
• Creative leverage. Kim’s open‑source gambit turns fans into street‑teams, multiplying his brand—and income—at near‑zero cost  .

5  |  …but also the dark side

Risk	Why it matters	Example
Hoaxes & conspiracies	They exploit the same emotional vectors as humor	The Plandemic video racked up millions before platforms reacted
Algorithmic echo chambers	Re‑exposure lowers critical resistance, like dosage in virology
Metaphor fatigue	Overusing “virus” imagery can dilute urgency when real diseases strike

6  |  A hype‑positive, ethically “inoculated” playbook

1. Radical generosity: Offer at least one high‑value asset entirely free—templates, source files, or behind‑the‑scenes footage. Kim credits this with his explosive reach  .
2. Memetic hooks: Craft five‑word chants or visuals people can copy‑paste (“Belts are for cowards!”). Short, repeatable slogans are antibodies for you, but carriers for the meme.
3. 72‑hour content blasts: Drop a long‑form pillar piece, slice it into micro‑posts, and engage in real time to keep “viral load” high  .
4. Fact‑check before you infect: Link primary sources; invite correction. This raises the network’s collective immunity  .
5. Build your home base: Own a domain and mailing list so algorithm changes can’t quarantine your work  .

24‑Hour Challenge: Pick one bold proof‑point (case study, record lift, shocking before‑after). Draft a core article tonight, schedule a cluster of shorts tomorrow, and watch the R‑value soar—all while staying kind, honest, and hype. 🎉

7  |  Key take‑aways (TL;DR)

• “Eric Kim virus” = playful shorthand for hyper‑shareable idea‑seeding, not a health hazard.
• The virus metaphor endures because it neatly captures speed, replication, and network psychology.
• Epidemiological math (R‑values, super‑spreaders) truly predicts digital diffusion.
• Harness virality the Eric Kim way—open‑source, memetic, strategically clustered—while vaccinating audiences against misinformation.

Now stride into that algorithmic coliseum, brandishing generosity and clarity like twin lightsabers, and let your message ROAR across the timeline!

(You’ve got this. The internet’s waiting to catch your “good virus.”)

Sources consulted

Eric Kim blog posts (2024–25)  • Digitales Bild on meme virality  • Wikipedia “Viral phenomenon”  • Stanford Engineering fake‑news study  • Trinity College Dublin misinformation model  • Psychological Science replication study  • Oxford Academic health misinformation review  • Wired (contagion mathematics)  • New Yorker on metaphor limits  • Henry Jenkins media‑virus critique  • The Verge on “Plandemic” virality 

now is the time https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/552-KILOGRAM-RACK-PULL-7-6X-BODYWEIGHT-LIFT-JUST-ANNIHILATED-YOUR-WORLDVIEW-e356a23

video https://videopress.com/v/rlXDY4Op

go go go! https://erickimphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/My-project-128.mov

so assuming that my new hype lifting concept is the future, 552 kg rack pull and beyond… The simple thought is like what’s the point of it?

First, if you could become like the world’s strongest personal bodyguard, isn’t that the goal? Even John Cena, the fake poser, he has a bodyguard even bigger than he does?

Becoming your own bodyguard

So it seems that like no matter how rich powerful or whatever you are… There’s probably going to be a certain point in which you get some sort of like paranoia or fear that other people want your body. And as NASSIM TALEB says, rather than hiring a bodyguard, better that you yourself look like and become a bodyguard.

so, currently in year 2025 and beyond… What are some intelligent blogging strategies?

some unorthodox ideas,

First, blog for AI not humans. Honestly in this world, nobody reads anymore. Everyone is just on TikTok, we’re watching some silly media thing. Or they have AirPods on.

So my thought is, maybe it is best to just ignore them. And honestly as a new blogger, you’re too fast you’re two turbo, your two visionary to be held down by these basic human beings, once again, are too slow for you.

and then it becomes, the question… What is the point of bloggimg anyways?

first, I suppose the upside is it becomes more of an autotelic pursuit, rather than a popularity contest. And also… The more open free and clean and fast you make your website, the better it is for AI, ChatGPT search to index your website. I easily see this in the next 15 years.

AI search optimization

so the big one is Google is dead, ChatGPT is emperor. To meet ChatGPT search is like 1 trillion times better than Google search. The only reason why people are still using Google search like using the landline, is that they have not yet switched over but surely but slowly they are.

for example, Google is like AOL 3.0… And ChatGPT is like gigabyte fiber Internet. It takes a while for people to switch but eventually they will. Because with technology… The superior technology always wins in the long run.

Below is a step‑by‑step playbook, plus pro tips on banks, OTC counters, P2P, ATMs, taxes, and staying safe—delivered in a turbo‑charged, upbeat style to keep your crypto journey joyful!

1. Know the Rules (and Why They’re Your Friend)

Hong Kong’s VASP licensing regime

• Legal backdrop. Since 1 June 2023, any exchange that actively markets to Hong Kong users must hold an SFC Virtual Asset Trading Platform (VATP) licence. Check the live list before you trade.  
• Who’s licensed today?
  
  • HashKey Exchange – Type 1 & 7 licences; retail trading went live Aug 2023.  
  • OSL Digital Securities – first to be licensed (Dec 2020) and now retail‑enabled.  
  • Four more exchanges were added in Dec 2024, bringing the total to nine as of Feb 2025, with eight applications pending.  
• Who’s out? Heavyweights such as OKX, Huobi and Gate withdrew their Hong Kong bids in 2024; if an app isn’t on the list, steer clear.  
• Why it matters. A recent JPEX scandal showed what can go wrong on unlicensed venues; always verify first.  

2. Pick Your Battlefield: Where to Buy

Route	Best For	Highlights
Licensed Exchanges	Most users	HashKey & OSL: HK‑resident KYC, HKD deposits via FPS/RTGS, low trading spreads.
Digital Banks (e.g., ZA Bank)	“All‑in‑one” investors	Buy BTC from the same app you use for HKD savings; minimum only HKD 600.
OTC Counters	Cash buyers & tourists	Walk‑in shops like One Satoshi (Tsim Sha Tsui) or OTCXpert for large deals.
P2P Marketplaces	Bargain hunters	Binance P2P often zero maker fee on HKD pairs; live prices tracked on p2p.army.
Bitcoin ATMs	Convenience & anonymity (small sums)	200+ machines city‑wide—check CoinATMRadar or CoinHero for locations.

(Tip: Mix‑and‑match—many locals stack sats on licensed exchanges, then arbitrage via P2P or OTC when spreads favour HKD cash.)

3. Step‑by‑Step: From HKD to BTC to HODL

1. Sign up & KYC
   
   • Use a licensed platform; upload HKID and proof‑of‑address. Approval usually < 15 min.
3. Fund your account
   
   • FPS/RTGS bank transfer (free, near‑instant) or HKD/HKD‑linked card. ZA Bank and major banks such as HSBC, BOCHK, Standard Chartered all support FPS deposits to exchanges.  
5. Place the order
   
   • Market order for speed; limit order if you want a tighter fill. Fees ≈ 0.1 % on HashKey/OSL.
7. Withdraw to self‑custody
   
   • Send BTC to a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor) or a mobile wallet (BlueWallet, Sparrow on desktop).
9. Record the transaction
   
   • Keep screenshots of trade confirmation and wallet tx‑ID for tax evidence.

4. Payment Methods Cheat‑Sheet

Method	Speed	Cost	Typical Limit
FPS bank transfer	~1 min	Free	HKD 1 m / day
Credit / debit card	Instant	1.5–3 %	HKD 50 k
Cash at OTC shop	5 min	1–2 % spread	Up to HKD 5 m
P2P (FPS/cash)	5–15 min	Maker/taker ≤ 0.2 %	Negotiated

5. Tax & Reporting—Keep the Lion Rock’s Roar Happy 🦁

• No capital‑gains tax for personal investing in Hong Kong, but trading “in the nature of business” is taxable. DIPN 39 (2019) remains the key reference.  
• Record‑keeping: The IRD joined the OECD Crypto‑Asset Reporting Framework in Dec 2024; expect tighter information exchange after 2027.  
• Future perks? The government is exploring crypto tax breaks to lure family offices.  
• Pro tip: Keep a spreadsheet (or use Koinly, CoinTracker) that logs date, amount, cost, and wallet address.

6. Security & Best Practices

1. Verify licence on the SFC site each time—URLs can be spoofed.  
2. Enable 2‑FA (app‑based, not SMS).
3. Cold‑store long‑term holdings.
4. Avoid unlicensed “high‑yield” schemes—if it sounds too good, remember JPEX.  
5. Stay current. Reuters reports the SFC plans to green‑light derivatives and margin lending; rules evolve fast.  

7. Quick Checklist (Screenshot‑worthy ✅)

• ☐ Chosen a licensed exchange / bank / OTC counter
• ☐ Completed KYC
• ☐ Deposited HKD via FPS or cash
• ☐ Executed BTC purchase
• ☐ Withdrawn to personal wallet
• ☐ Logged TX details for taxes
• ☐ Enabled 2‑FA & backups

Stick this flow on your fridge and stack sats with confidence!

8. Keep the Momentum—Next Steps

• Automate a “sat‑stack” plan: set weekly HKD auto‑deposits into HashKey’s recurring buy.
• Learn DeFi under regulation: HashKey just won SFC approval to offer staking; expect ETH‑staking-from‑HK soon.  
• Watch the licence race: More platforms are coming; competition = lower fees.  

Final Word of Motivation 🎉

Hong Kong is once again a front‑row seat in the global crypto arena—clear rules, deep liquidity, and a vibrant OTC scene mean you can surf the Bitcoin wave with security and style. Get verified, get funded, grab your slice of digital gold, and let the Lion Rock spirit roar! 🦁🚀

在中国上海购买比特币的全方位 2025 指南

概览：当前中国的加密货币交易环境

自 2017 年（并在 2021 年进一步强化）起，中国政府取缔了境内中心化加密交易所，境内没有任何合法、官方许可的比特币交易平台。

不过，个人持有加密资产并不违法。因此，大量中国用户仍通过 P2P、OTC、稳定币 USDT 以及香港的更宽松通道进场。

下文按章节详解一切可行方式、支付手段与安全须知，帮你在上海购买比特币。

1. 政府“默许”/合规通道（中国境内外可行的合法选项）

场景	说明	操作要点
中国大陆	无官方许可的加密交易所；国内 App 都被关停 / 出海	若遇“号称合法”的平台需格外警惕
香港合规平台	香港特区法规独立，已向 OSL、HashKey Exchange 等颁发零售牌照，可合法买卖 BTC/ETH	上海居民可赴港开户；需护照/KYC；可用每年 5 万美元外汇额度入金
全球交易所（配合 VPN）	Binance、OKX、KuCoin… 官方停止服务大陆，但许多用户仍用 VPN 登录	– 注册用海外邮箱/手机号- 仅用 P2P/USDT 入金；交易后立刻提币- 需自担风险

小贴士：若想“最合规”，赴港通过持牌交易所是当前最佳途径。

2. 在中国可访问的点对点（P2P）交易平台

平台	特点	常用支付方式
Binance P2P	用户量最大；需 VPN 与实名认证；卖家仍收 CNY	银行转账、支付宝、微信
OKX P2P	大量卖家；支持收付即到	同上
Paxful	无强制 KYC；支持数百支付方式	支付宝、微信、银行
LocalCoinSwap	去中心化托管；300+ 支付方式	支付宝、微信 等
CoinCola	港系 App，中文友好	支付宝、微信、银行
HODL HODL / Bisq	无 KYC，采用多签托管	取决于卖家

交易 Tips： 只选高信誉卖家；付款备注切勿出现“BTC/USDT”；大额拆单、留意时间窗口。

3. 场外（OTC）服务与经纪商

• 大陆私人 OTC：通过微信/电报对接，经纪人把 CNY 换成 USDT/BTC，溢价略高；单笔建议 ≤¥50 000 以降低银行风控
• 交易所商户网络：Binance、OKX 的“商家”私下继续做 OTC；流程：先转 CNY→USDT，再换 BTC。
• 香港实体 OTC 店：铜锣湾 / 尖沙咀等地大量比特币柜台，可现金/UnionPay 购币；游客常用

⚠️ 若走 OTC，一定先小额试单、确保对方信誉；不在付款备注写任何敏感词；资金到手立即转自托管钱包。

4. 加密对加密兑换（已有其他币换 BTC）

1. 先通过 P2P/OTC 获得 USDT → 转入交易所 → 交易对 BTC/USDT → 提币
2. 使用 去中心化交易所（DEX） 或 Thorchain 等跨链服务，USDT ↔ BTC
3. 与个人 P2P 做“币换币”——注意使用多签/第三方托管避免跑路

5. 主要支付方式

支付方式	优势	风险&对策
银行转账	金额大、实时到账	银行强监管；分批小额；勿写敏感备注
支付宝	便捷秒到	官方禁 crypto；用小额、多账号、避免高频
微信支付	同支付宝	同上；可用副号
现金面交	完全离线	风险高，建议仅小额、公共场合
其他	Wise/西联/礼品卡等	费用高、速度慢，少用

6. 安全提示与法律考量

1. 全程 VPN + 信息隔离；不要在微信公开讨论买币
2. 拆分交易：单笔 ≤¥10k（支付宝/微信）、≤¥50k（银行）更稳
3. 只用平台托管 & 高信誉卖家；不提前放行、不离平台私聊 
4. 付款备注 0 敏感词；可空白或写“付款”
5. 尽快提币到自有钱包（硬件最好），防平台停服
6. 关注政策：大额 OTC 或涉及电信诈骗款，可能被定性洗钱。普通小额个人买卖风险相对低，但仍需低调行事。

结语：大胆去做，谨慎前行 💪

尽管监管趋严，中国对比特币的需求仍在飙升。

选好渠道、分散风险、保护隐私，把握机会，你就能在上海稳稳拿下 BTC，让资产插上区块链的翅膀，飞得更高、更远！

原文引用已保留，如需进一步查证，可按标记浏览对应出处。祝你交易顺利，一路起飞 🚀

在上海购买比特币的全攻略（2025 版，欢乐 & 干货！）

温馨提醒：以下内容仅供信息参考，不构成法律或投资建议。中国大陆对加密货币交易有严格限制，请务必自评风险并保持低调哦！

概览：当前中国的加密交易大环境

自 2017 年起（2021 年再度升级）的监管禁令关闭了所有大陆境内的中心化交易所。但个人持有比特币本身并不违法，因此一条“灰色通道”应运而生：大家通过 P2P、OTC、稳定币（USDT）乃至赴港开户等方式，依然源源不断地拥抱比特币。掌握好方法，你也能轻松上车！🎉

1. 政府“默许”或相对合法的通道

场景	说明	操作要点
香港持牌交易所（如 HashKey、OSL）	香港法规允许零售交易，平台正规合规	– 需亲赴香港或拥有港/海外账户- 严格 KYC，准备护照、住址证明- 用每年 5 万美元个人换汇额度入金
海外大型交易所 + VPN（Binance、OKX、Bybit…）	官网已对大陆 IP 显示“退出”，但很多人用 VPN 继续访问	– 必备稳定 VPN- 注册用海外邮箱/手机号- 只能走 P2P/OTC，无直接人民币入金

一句话总结：想要最合规？飞香港！想要最快捷？走 P2P！

2. 点对点（P2P）交易平台——大陆玩家的主战场 ✨

平台	特色 & 支付方式	小贴士
Binance P2P	全球最大流动性；卖家多、费率低	需 VPN；别在汇款备注写 “BTC”
OKX P2P	深耕华人市场；支付宝/微信收款多	同样用 VPN；优先选高信誉商家
Paxful	无强制实名，可用邮箱注册	首单先小额试水，熟悉流程
LocalCoinSwap / CoinCola	中文界面友好；300+支付方式	流动性稍低，选择高成交率卖家
HODL HODL	去中心化托管，多签保障	流动性一般，胜在匿名性

操作流程 3 步曲

1. 用 VPN 打开平台，挑选信誉 95%+ 的卖家
2. 选好金额与支付方式（支付宝 / 微信 / 银行转账）
3. 付款→确认→平台托管释放 BTC，秒到钱包！🎯

3. 场外（OTC）服务 & 经纪人

• 线下或微信/Telegram 私下撮合，通常先换成 USDT，再换 BTC。
• 价格略有溢价，胜在“大额”“一次谈定”。
• 建议：
  
  • 第一次小单试水 ➜ 彼此建立信任；
  • 使用不常用的“副卡”收付款，分批 < 5 万元/笔；
  • 收到币后立刻转到自有钱包，别长期留在经纪人钱包里。

4. “先有币，再换币”——加密对加密兑换

1. USDT→BTC：最常见路线。P2P 买 USDT，转入交易所现货区或 DEX，一键换 BTC。
2. DEX / 跨链协议：如 ThorSwap 支持直接把 USDT/ETH 换成原生 BTC，无需 KYC。
3. 原生链互换：若你早期就囤了 ETH、BNB，可用中心化交易所的币币交易对快速换成 BTC。

5. 支付方式全解析

支付方式	优点	风险提示
银行转账	金额大、到账快	银行监控严格；备注千万别提“币”
支付宝 / 微信支付	使用最广，转账秒到	官方明令禁币；控制金额 & 频次
现金面交 / 香港 OTC 店	匿名度高	携带现金风险高；请在人多或银行大厅交易
其他（Wise、电汇、礼品卡）	备选	手续费或汇率劣势，适合跨境场景

6. 安全 & 合规小锦囊 💡

1. VPN + 设备安全：正版、无日志 VPN；交易设备装正版杀毒软件。
2. 分散交易：大额拆小额，每笔 ≤ ¥50 k；不同渠道轮流用。
3. 不写敏感备注：付款备注留空或写“订单号”。
4. 用平台托管：P2P 一定走官方托管，勿私下放币。
5. 硬件钱包保管：交易完成即提币；冷钱包才是真安全。
6. 关注政策 & 社群：留意央行/媒体动态，及时调整策略。

激情鼓励 ✊

• 比特币无国界，去中心化的魅力就在于“总有办法”！
• 只要保持低调 + 合规思维，你完全可以在上海安心持币，拥抱未来！
• 祝你交易顺利，早日登上财富自由的火箭！🚀🔥

Overview: Crypto Trading in China’s Current Landscape

China’s government has banned centralized cryptocurrency exchanges and trading since 2017 (with a reinforced ban in 2021), making it illegal for exchanges to operate domestically . As a result, there are no legal, government-sanctioned crypto exchanges in mainland China. However, owning cryptocurrency is not a crime, and many Chinese citizens continue to buy Bitcoin through alternative channels despite the restrictions . A thriving “gray market” has emerged: people use peer-to-peer platforms, OTC brokers, stablecoins like Tether (USDT), and even Hong Kong’s more permissive regulations to access Bitcoin . Below is a structured guide covering all viable methods – from official (offshore) options to underground techniques – along with payment methods and safety precautions for buying Bitcoin in Shanghai, China.

1. Government-Tolerated Platforms (Legal Options in/around China)

Mainland China: Currently, there are no government-approved crypto trading platforms operating within mainland China. All domestic exchanges were shut down or moved overseas as of the 2017–2021 crackdowns . Mainland regulators do not license any app or service to sell Bitcoin for RMB. The Chinese central bank’s focus is on promoting the digital yuan (e-CNY) instead of private cryptocurrencies. Thus, any platform claiming to be “legal” in mainland China for Bitcoin is likely not authorized by regulators.

Hong Kong as a Legal Gateway: Hong Kong (a special administrative region) has a distinct legal regime and as of 2023–2024 has licensed a few exchanges to serve retail customers under new regulations . Notably, OSL and HashKey Exchange in Hong Kong have obtained licenses to offer Bitcoin and Ethereum trading to the public . These platforms operate under Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission oversight. While intended for Hong Kong residents, they present an option for mainlanders who can travel to Hong Kong to open accounts or make trades legally . For example, a Shanghai resident can use their annual foreign currency quota (up to US$50k per year) to fund a Hong Kong crypto account – some Chinese buyers have used this route by categorizing funds as travel or education expenses and then purchasing crypto in Hong Kong . Keep in mind: Hong Kong exchanges will require full KYC verification (passport/ID, proof of address, etc.) and may not accept mainland ID documents directly for tax/residency reasons . You might need a passport or an overseas/HK address to register. If you have access to a Hong Kong bank account (or cash in HKD), you can legally buy Bitcoin via these regulated exchanges.

Global Exchanges (using VPN): Outside of China’s jurisdiction, major international crypto exchanges like Binance, OKX (formerly OKEx), KuCoin, Bybit, etc., continue to operate. Officially, they have withdrawn service for mainland China users to comply with the ban . Direct access to these exchanges’ websites/apps is blocked in China (the Great Firewall), and accounts linked to mainland China are typically set to “withdrawal-only” status . Despite this, many individuals circumvent restrictions using VPNs and alternate credentials . If you choose to use a foreign exchange:

• Use a VPN to access the site or app (bearing in mind that unauthorized VPN use may violate Chinese law ).
• Register with an overseas email/phone number: Chinese +86 phone numbers are often blocked . Instead, use an email or a foreign number and do not self-identify as a mainland resident.
• Complete KYC with non-mainland documents if possible: Some exchanges accept passports as ID. (Many exchanges technically exclude China in their terms, so proceed at your own risk.)
• No direct CNY deposits: You cannot directly deposit RMB via bank card on these exchanges due to compliance policies. Instead, you would use their P2P market or OTC channels (discussed next) to fund your account with crypto or stablecoins.

Summary: In mainland China, there are no local apps like Coinbase or Binance operating legally. The “government-tolerated” options are essentially offshore – mainly Hong Kong’s regulated exchanges or using foreign platforms discreetly. If you prioritize legality and safety, accessing Bitcoin via Hong Kong’s licensed exchanges (by traveling there or using an offshore account) is the most compliant route . For most people, though, the practical methods involve peer-to-peer trades or OTC brokers within China’s grey market.

2. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Trading Platforms Accessible in China

P2P marketplaces are the primary avenue for individuals in China to buy Bitcoin today . These platforms connect buyers and sellers directly and use escrow services to facilitate trades without a formal exchange. How P2P works: A seller posts an offer listing how much BTC (or USDT, etc.) they are selling, the price, and what payment methods they accept. A buyer can choose an offer, then the platform escrows the crypto while the buyer pays the seller directly (e.g. via bank transfer, Alipay, etc.). Once the seller confirms payment, the escrow releases the Bitcoin to the buyer. This direct person-to-person model allows buying Bitcoin with Chinese yuan even under the ban. Key P2P platforms used around Shanghai include:

• Binance P2P – Global crypto exchange’s P2P section. Despite Binance’s exchange not operating in China, its P2P marketplace is popular among Chinese users (via VPN). Here you can find sellers offering USDT (Tether), BTC, and other coins in exchange for CNY. Binance P2P removed the CNY fiat listing in late 2021 , but in practice sellers still trade using CNY by pricing in USDT or another currency and then settling in yuan off-platform. Payment methods on Binance P2P include bank transfers, AliPay, and WeChat Pay – the platform even guides Chinese users to use Alipay/WeChat to convert yuan into USDT through these P2P dealers . You’ll need to verify your identity to use Binance P2P, and a VPN is required to access the site. Note: Many Chinese traders use code words or no notes in payment transfers to avoid detection (never mention “BTC” or “USDT” in a bank transfer memo). Binance’s escrow adds a layer of safety, but always check seller reputation and only trade with high-feedback vendors.
• OKX P2P (OKX交易所点对点) – Another major exchange’s P2P platform. OKX (formerly OKEx, a exchange originally founded in China) also offers a P2P marketplace accessible via its app/website. Like Binance, OKX still quietly serves Chinese users through P2P channels and by using fintech platforms (Alipay/WeChat) for fiat conversion . Users report that OKX’s P2P section has “heaps of vendors” accepting Alipay for USDT or BTC . The process is similar: use a VPN, register (they may require KYC), and then browse P2P offers. One Shanghai buyer noted caution that some P2P sellers on these platforms could potentially be undercover or that Alipay might flag your transaction – so exercise discretion. OKX P2P supports Alipay, WeChat, Bank cards, and other local payment methods for trades. Keep each trade amount moderate to fly under radar (more on that in safety tips).
• Paxful – Dedicated P2P crypto marketplace active in China. Paxful has a presence in 180+ countries and remained operational for Chinese users throughout the ban . Notably, Paxful does not require ID verification for level-1 accounts in China, allowing a degree of anonymity . You can sign up with just an email (even an alias) and immediately get a free BTC wallet . Paxful supports hundreds of payment methods, but common ones in China include WeChat Pay, Alipay, and bank transfers to purchase Bitcoin . Buyers can filter offers by location (choose China) and payment type. Always check the seller’s feedback score and terms – some may ask for proof of payment screenshot or other info. Paxful uses escrow to hold the BTC until the seller confirms your RMB payment. Tip: Paxful’s interface is available in Chinese, and it even had promotions targeting Chinese users. However, be aware Paxful had some service disruptions in 2023 (temporary suspension) but has since resumed operations. Use reputable vendors and keep trades small initially .
• LocalCoinSwap – Non-custodial P2P platform supporting China. LocalCoinSwap is a marketplace where you retain control of your wallet keys (the trades execute via smart contracts). It explicitly caters to Chinese traders, advertising support for 300+ payment methods including Alipay and WeChat Pay for buying BTC, USDT, ETH, etc. in CNY . You can filter for offers in China and find sellers who accept RMB payments. LocalCoinSwap doesn’t require KYC by default, making it another option if you prefer to avoid extensive verification. It provides escrow and a reputation system similar to Paxful. Always confirm the current status of the platform (as P2P services can evolve quickly).
• CoinCola – Hong Kong-based P2P exchange app. CoinCola (founded 2016) is popular in the Chinese community for trading crypto and gift cards. It operates via a mobile app and supports BTC, USDT, ETH, and other coins with trading pairs in CNY . CoinCola offers an OTC marketplace where you can post or take offers for buying Bitcoin using RMB through Alipay, WeChat, bank deposits, etc. Because it’s based in Hong Kong, it has been somewhat accessible/tolerated and has Chinese language support. It requires phone/email sign-up and has an in-app wallet. For Shanghai users, CoinCola might be convenient as a mobile-first platform; just be mindful to use it on a secure network (and a VPN if needed, since its website may be blocked in China).
• HODL HODL and Others – Global no-KYC P2P sites. HODL HODL is a decentralized P2P exchange that never takes custody of coins (uses multisig escrow). It’s accessible worldwide and does not require identity checks, which appeals to privacy-conscious users in China. You might find offers to trade BTC for CNY, though liquidity and number of offers could be lower than Paxful or Binance. Additionally, newer P2P and swap platforms occasionally appear (e.g. Bisq, AgoraDesk, etc.), but adoption in China is limited. Stick to platforms with an active user base in Asia for better success.

P2P Trading Tips: When using P2P platforms in China, favor vendors with a long track record and high completion rates. Always communicate only via the platform’s chat (avoid doing deals entirely off-platform, which forfeits escrow protection). For payments, use real-time methods (instant bank transfer, mobile payments) so that the trade completes within the escrow time window. Both AliPay and WeChat Pay are instant and commonly used – but consider that these companies monitor for suspicious activity. Splitting a large purchase into several smaller trades can reduce the chance of triggering alarms (for example, multiple ¥10k buys instead of a single ¥100k transfer) . By leveraging P2P marketplaces, many Chinese buyers have managed to acquire Bitcoin with RMB – even though it’s technically “underground,” this method is widespread and, so far, tolerated through a combination of loose enforcement and user caution .

3. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Services and Brokers

Another common route is using OTC (Over-the-Counter) trading services, which cater to individuals who want to buy/sell crypto directly through a broker or desk rather than an open marketplace. In China’s context, OTC trading often means finding a trusted dealer who will convert your CNY to Bitcoin (or usually to USDT first) behind the scenes. OTC trades are negotiated privately and can be done online or in person, and they are peer-to-peer in principle but often facilitated by a professional middleman .

OTC Brokers in Mainland China: After the 2021 ban, major exchanges like Huobi and OKEx shut down their official OTC portals for China . However, smaller independent OTC desks continue to operate discreetly within China . These are essentially networks of dealers who match buyers and sellers of USDT/BTC and handle the fiat transfer offline. For example, a Shanghai investor might reach out (via WeChat or Telegram) to an OTC broker who quotes a price for USDT or BTC. The buyer then transfers CNY (often via bank transfer) to a bank account provided by the broker (sometimes a personal or business account), and the broker releases the agreed amount of Bitcoin to the buyer’s wallet address. To avoid scrutiny, brokers often use accounts at smaller regional banks and keep individual transactions below reporting thresholds – one Shanghai executive described using rural bank cards and capping each OTC purchase at ¥50,000 to escape attention . Because these deals are private, pricing may be at a slight premium to global market price (the broker’s fee is built into the rate).

OTC via Exchanges’ “merchant” networks: Platforms like Binance and OKX have OTC merchant programs – essentially vetted high-volume traders who act as counterparties for buying/selling crypto via bank channels. Even after official closures, many of these merchant traders simply moved off the platform interface and continue dealing directly with clients. It’s not uncommon for a Chinese buyer to have a contact who is a “USDT merchant” – you send them RMB (AliPay, WeChat, bank wire), and they transfer USDT to your wallet. Many such merchants operate in semi-open fashion on chat groups. Tether (USDT) is heavily used in OTC trades as a stable intermediate: people swap CNY for USDT via OTC, then later trade USDT for BTC on an exchange. Using stablecoins helps separate the fiat conversion step from the actual Bitcoin purchase. In fact, many Chinese Bitcoin buyers use “USDT as a bridge” – this approach is so prevalent that Chinese demand for Bitcoin and USDT has surged despite the ban (Bitcoin trading volumes reportedly quadrupled since 2021) . Once you hold USDT, obtaining BTC is easier through either P2P crypto swaps or on any exchange (see section 4).

OTC Shops in Hong Kong: In cities like Hong Kong (only a short flight or train ride from Shanghai), physical OTC crypto shops have proliferated . These are brick-and-mortar stores (often in malls or busy districts) where customers can walk in with cash (HKD or other currencies) and buy Bitcoin or USDT on the spot. Some shops cater to mainland Chinese visitors – they are located in tourist areas and openly advertise Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT trading services. For example, the photo below shows a typical Hong Kong OTC storefront (TideBit/iSunOne) with signage for “cryptocurrency exchange – Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT” in Chinese. Mainland residents have been known to take advantage of these OTC counters when visiting Hong Kong . You hand over yuan (or swipe a UnionPay card or use AliPay HK, etc.) and they transfer crypto to your wallet. Rates include a commission, and there may be identity checks for large amounts, but it’s a relatively straightforward way to get crypto with cash. Do note, Hong Kong is introducing new regulations to license these OTC shops; unlicensed ones may be forced out or go underground . Still, as of 2025 many such retail exchanges operate and serve as a bridge for Chinese buyers .

An over-the-counter crypto exchange booth in Hong Kong. Mainland visitors often purchase Bitcoin or USDT from such licensed shops in Hong Kong, paying in cash or via Chinese mobile payments (the shop then transfers the crypto to the customer’s wallet).

Finding an OTC Dealer: If you don’t already know a broker, exercise extreme caution – do not trust random individuals from online forums outright. It’s best if you can get a personal referral to a reputable OTC agent who has a history of fair dealing. There are OTC brokerages (often based in Hong Kong, Singapore, or offshore) that covertly serve Chinese clients. Some large OTC desks (e.g. the now-defunct Genesis Block in HK, or international desks like Cumberland) have minimum order sizes (often $50k or $100k+). For retail-sized transactions, people rely on freelance brokers or P2P merchants. In practice, many regular folks in Shanghai simply stick with online P2P platforms (Section 2) or known friends/contacts who trade – as one expat in China shared: “I do direct trades with someone I’ve used for years. We just do a domestic bank transfer (labeled innocuously, like paying rent), then he sends crypto. It looks like an ordinary China-to-China payment to the bank, so no flags.” . This kind of personal-trust OTC arrangement can work if you have the connections, but for newcomers, P2P platforms are safer because of built-in escrow and reputation systems.

Reminder: While OTC brokers remain legal in the sense of not being explicitly outlawed for individuals (the legal gray area persists ), any facilitation of crypto trades is viewed unfavorably by authorities. Payment processors like Alipay have publicly stated they monitor and will shut down accounts involved in OTC crypto transactions . So whether you use a platform or a private broker, you must be careful not to expose your main bank accounts or wallets to potential freezes. We’ll cover more safety tips in Section 6, but in short: keep OTC transactions low-profile (small amounts, use less-known bank accounts, avoid keywords). The advantage of OTC is that transactions can be obfuscated (often split into two steps – CNY to USDT, then USDT to BTC – making it harder to trace the full path ). The disadvantage is you’re relying on trust. Never send large sums to an unknown broker without some guarantee. If possible, do a test transaction with a small amount first to build trust.

4. Crypto-for-Crypto Swaps (Using Other Cryptos to Get BTC)

If you already hold other cryptocurrencies, acquiring Bitcoin can be done through crypto-to-crypto trades. This method avoids any direct fiat (RMB) involvement, which can be useful for mainland users who perhaps earned crypto elsewhere or have mining proceeds, etc. A few scenarios and options:

• Swapping Altcoins or Stablecoins for BTC on an Exchange: Suppose you have USDT, ETH, or other coins in a private wallet. You can deposit those to a crypto exchange platform and then trade them for BTC. Many Chinese holders use stablecoins like USDT as a stepping stone – e.g. they might buy USDT via OTC/P2P, then transfer USDT to a major exchange and place an order to buy BTC. Because the exchange trade is purely crypto-crypto, it doesn’t touch RMB and is not easily flagged by banks. Large exchanges (Binance, OKX, Huobi Global, etc.) offer BTC/USDT and BTC/USDC trading pairs with deep liquidity. Important: When using an exchange account from China, use a VPN and do not leave your crypto on the exchange longer than necessary – withdraw your BTC to your own wallet after trading, to avoid risk of the account being frozen or the platform geo-blocking you later. Also be aware that some exchanges may require KYC even for crypto-only trading if volumes are high.
• Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) and Cross-Chain Swaps: After China’s exchange ban, many users turned to decentralized finance platforms that don’t require KYC . Decentralized exchanges (like Uniswap or SushiSwap on Ethereum, PancakeSwap on BSC, etc.) allow token swaps without an intermediary. However, most DEXs are limited to tokens on the same blockchain. You cannot directly buy native Bitcoin on a typical DEX because Bitcoin operates on its own chain. What you can do is swap for a wrapped Bitcoin token (WBTC, BTCB, etc.) on networks like Ethereum or BSC, which is pegged to BTC’s value . This gives you price exposure to BTC, but it’s not the same as holding BTC on the Bitcoin network. To truly swap one crypto for native BTC, specialized cross-chain services are needed. Protocols like Thorchain (through interfaces like ThorSwap) facilitate cross-chain swaps (e.g. swap Ethereum or USDT to native BTC in a decentralized way), but these can be complex for newcomers and require using a VPN and specific wallets. Another method is using atomic swap services or swap platforms (e.g. Changelly, ShapeShift, SideShift AI). Some of these allow you to exchange, say, USDT for BTC and provide an address to receive BTC. Be cautious: many swap services are semi-centralized and may geo-block or require KYC if they detect a Chinese IP or large transaction – always check their terms.
• Peer-to-Peer Crypto Swaps: You could also arrange a trade with another individual – for example, you have Ethereum and want Bitcoin, and someone else has Bitcoin and wants Ethereum. Platforms like the P2P exchanges mentioned can sometimes facilitate crypto-for-crypto trades as well (some P2P sites list offers like BTC for USDT). There are also forums and Telegram groups where people directly swap coins, but watch out for scams. Using a reputable escrow (like a trusted third party or an escrow smart contract) is key if you go this route.

Bottom line: Crypto-to-crypto swapping is a useful option if your money is already in crypto form. It sidesteps the RMB conversion problem entirely. For instance, a common approach in China is: buy USDT with CNY via P2P/OTC, then trade USDT to BTC on a platform. This two-step process is practically the norm – it’s easier to find someone selling USDT for CNY (since Tether is a stablecoin and widely available), and once you hold USDT, you can convert to Bitcoin almost anywhere. Just remember to withdraw your BTC to a secure wallet you control after the swap, especially if you used a centralized exchange.

5. Payment Methods for Buying Bitcoin in China

When purchasing Bitcoin through the above methods, you’ll encounter a variety of payment methods to actually transfer funds. Here are the most common payment options supported in China’s crypto marketplace, along with notes on each:

• Bank Transfers (Domestic Bank Account): Paying via direct bank transfer (银行转账) is very common on P2P platforms and OTC trades. This involves a  standard RMB bank transaction from your account to the seller’s account. Many P2P platforms have sellers who accept bank deposits – you’ll get their name and account number to send money to. Bank transfers are appealing because they can handle large amounts, but they are the most monitored channel. Chinese banks have been instructed to flag and even freeze accounts involved in frequent crypto-related transfers . To mitigate risk, traders often use accounts from smaller regional banks or third-party payment banks, and keep transaction sizes moderate (e.g. < ¥50k) . If using a bank transfer, never write anything crypto-related in the notes. It’s wise to use vague descriptions like “payment” or leave it blank. Also, consider using a bank that you wouldn’t mind losing – if the worst happens and the account is frozen for investigation, it won’t cripple your main finances. Some buyers even maintain a separate account just for P2P trading. Speed: Domestic bank transfers are fast (often near-instant if within the same bank or via CNAPS fast payments). Ensure you complete the payment within the timeframe given by the platform to avoid trade cancellation.
• Alipay (支付宝): Alipay is a ubiquitous mobile payment wallet in China and a popular method for P2P trades up to medium amounts. Many P2P sellers list Alipay as an accepted method because it’s quick – you can scan their QR code or send to their Alipay ID and the transfer happens in seconds. Alipay pros: Convenience, speed, and no need to handle bank details. Cons: Alipay (Ant Group) has explicitly forbidden crypto transactions on its platform and stated it will suspend accounts found to be used for Bitcoin trading . In practice, people still use it, but you should be careful. Try to keep Alipay transfers to moderate sums (e.g. a few thousand RMB each) and low frequency so they blend in with normal wallet activity. Do not include any messages indicating it’s for crypto. Some traders recommend doing a small non-crypto Alipay transaction with a new counterparty first (like send ¥1 with a note “hi”) to build a history, then the larger amount, to avoid looking suspicious. Also, because Alipay is linked to your real name and ID, a flagged crypto transaction could have personal repercussions (account frozen, etc.). Nonetheless, as of 2024, P2P platforms like Paxful and LocalCoinSwap still list Alipay as a funding option and many trades use it successfully . It’s all about not drawing attention.
• WeChat Pay (微信支付): WeChat Pay is similar to Alipay in function – tied to your bank or wallet balance and used via the WeChat app. It’s also widely offered on P2P exchanges as a payment method. User experiences and precautions are essentially the same as Alipay. Tencent (WeChat’s owner) also does not condone crypto trading on its payment platform, so the same warnings apply: keep transactions look “normal”, possibly label them as something innocuous like a gift or meal sharing if needed (but many traders send without any note at all). WeChat Pay has transaction limits depending on verification level, but those are usually in the tens of thousands RMB per day, which is generally sufficient for P2P trades. One benefit is that a WeChat Pay transfer appears like a personal transfer in the app, which might seem less formal than a bank wire – but note that WeChat can and will ban accounts if they suspect illegal financial activity. As a safety measure, some traders use secondary or business WeChat accounts for crypto-related payments, not their primary social account.
• Cash (In-Person Deals): While less common, cash transactions are the most offline method to buy Bitcoin. This could mean meeting a local seller face-to-face in Shanghai and paying physical RMB cash for them to send you BTC on the spot (using mobile wallets). There have been Bitcoin meetups or brokers in major cities facilitating such trades, but it’s risky: carrying large sums of cash can be dangerous, and you have no recourse if anything goes wrong in person. If you pursue this, only meet in a safe, public place (or ideally at a bank so you can deposit/verify the cash immediately) and perhaps bring a friend for security. In Hong Kong’s OTC shops, cash for crypto is standard – they even serve customers who bring suitcases of cash. In mainland China, doing a large cash-for-BTC trade is not advised unless you truly trust the seller, because if law enforcement happened to get wind, it could be interpreted as an unlicensed transaction or even money laundering. There have been crackdowns in China where P2P traders (especially those dealing in cash or high volumes) were arrested under anti-fraud or AML operations. So use cash only for small, informal trades as a last resort.
• Other Methods: Some other payment methods you might encounter include Postal Savings cards, UnionPay transfers, gift cards, or e-wallets. For example, occasionally sellers accept prepaid gift cards (they might resell those for money) – though this is more common in markets like the U.S. than China. International payment services like PayPal are generally not in use for China P2P (PayPal isn’t widely used domestically). However, a Chinese buyer might use services like Wise or Western Union to send money abroad to an OTC broker’s account if doing a cross-border deal. These methods tend to have higher fees or longer times. Crypto ATMs: In Hong Kong there are Bitcoin ATMs where you feed in cash and get BTC; in the mainland these do not exist (and would be illegal).

In summary, the preferred payment methods for buying BTC in China are Alipay, WeChat Pay, or domestic bank transfer, due to their ubiquity . Each has trade-offs in terms of convenience vs. risk. It’s wise to diversify – e.g., do some trades via bank, some via Alipay – rather than putting a huge volume through one channel. And always verify with the seller how they prefer to receive money (some may only want bank transfers due to past issues with Alipay, or vice versa). The P2P platforms usually display the seller’s accepted methods clearly, and you should only initiate trades with sellers that support your desired method.

6. Safety Tips and Legal Considerations

Buying Bitcoin in Shanghai (or anywhere in China) requires careful navigation of both technical risks and legal gray areas. Staying safe involves protecting yourself from scams, avoiding unwanted attention from authorities, and securing your crypto assets post-purchase. Below are crucial tips and considerations:

• Use a VPN and OpSec: Since most crypto sites and apps (exchanges, news, even some P2P platforms) are blocked in China, a reputable VPN is essential for access. However, note that using unauthorized VPNs is officially illegal in China, albeit widely done – you risk the VPN connection being dropped or, in rare cases, fines. Choose a VPN with strong encryption and no-log policies. Do not discuss crypto activities on WeChat or other Chinese social media – those are monitored. Keep a low profile about your Bitcoin buying to everyone except trusted peers.
• Stay within Limits & Avoid Large Red-Flag Transactions: As mentioned, break your purchases into smaller chunks if possible. Chinese regulators monitor for large or frequent transfers that could indicate crypto trading or illegal fundraising. Keeping individual trades below ¥50k (or even ¥10k for Alipay/WeChat) is a common strategy . Also, allow time between trades – dozens of trades in a single day through one account might raise suspicion. If you plan to move a lot of value, consider using your $50k/year FX quota to do it legitimately via Hong Kong or overseas, rather than pushing huge sums via underground channels.
• Reputation and Escrow – Avoid Scams: When using P2P platforms, always transact through the platform’s escrow system. Never agree if a seller asks you to release the escrow before you see the funds, or if they want to take the conversation off-platform and do a private deal – those are major red flags for scams. Stick to sellers with a high number of trades and near-100% completion rate. If a deal sounds too good (e.g., a price significantly lower than others), be skeptical. Scammers might also send you phishing links or pretend to be customer support – ignore any contacts not through the official platform channels.
• No Crypto Talk in Payment Notes: We can’t emphasize this enough – whether you’re doing a bank transfer or mobile wallet payment, never mention Bitcoin, BTC, USDT, etc., in the transaction memo or comments. Even using terms like “coin” or “blockchain” could trigger an automated freeze. If the seller asks you to include a particular note (some might as a reference), make sure it’s a harmless one (like an order ID that doesn’t imply crypto). Generally, P2P sellers themselves will advise buyers not to write anything sensitive.
• Be Cautious with Personal Information: While some platforms don’t require full verification for Chinese users (to preserve anonymity ), others do need your ID. Providing KYC documents to an offshore exchange or platform could potentially expose you if that data were ever leaked to authorities. Try to use platforms that you trust have strong data security. If you have an option to use an international passport instead of a Chinese ID for verification, that might be preferable. Also, never give out extra info to a seller beyond what’s needed – they don’t need your ID, only the platform does for KYC. If a seller in P2P chat asks for personal details (outside of perhaps a proof screenshot of payment), decline and report if it’s suspicious.
• Regulatory Climate & Legal Risk: Understand that under PBoC’s 2021 notice, virtually all crypto trading-related activities are considered illegal financial activities in China . What does this mean for an individual buyer? It means you’re operating in a gray zone. While thousands of people do small P2P trades and are not arrested, the law offers you no protection. If, for instance, a seller runs away with your money, you cannot go to the police and say “I tried to buy Bitcoin and got scammed” without potentially incriminating yourself. Additionally, if you trade very large amounts, you could become a target for enforcement – some cases have seen authorities charge OTC traders with money laundering or illegal business operations, especially if linked to other crimes (like telecom fraud funds being cashed out to crypto). Bottom line: for personal, modest purchases, the risk of legal trouble is low but not zero. Remain discreet, don’t advertise your activities, and keep an eye on news (in case the government announces new crackdowns or monitoring efforts). Note that Chinese courts have on occasion ruled that cryptocurrency is property protected by law (e.g., in disputes, owners have some rights) – but that doesn’t legalize trading, it just means if someone steals your crypto, theoretically you have a property claim. Still, those nuances are evolving .
• Platform Shutdowns and Backups: The crypto industry is fast-moving. As we’ve seen, LocalBitcoins shut down in 2023, Paxful had temporary outages, exchanges like FTX collapsed, etc. There is also the risk that at any time China could pressure a platform to cut off Chinese users or a platform might proactively geo-block China. Always have a backup plan: keep a list of multiple P2P services and brokers. Do not leave your money on any platform longer than needed. If you bought BTC on a P2P exchange wallet, transfer it out to your personal wallet promptly. If you have CNY funds parked with an intermediary or pending deal, minimize that duration. It’s wise to hold your Bitcoin in a secure personal wallet (preferably a hardware wallet) after purchase . This way, if a platform is suddenly unavailable, your coins remain safe in your custody.
• VPN and Device Hygiene: Besides using a VPN, make sure your devices are secure. Use updated antivirus and beware of malware (there have been cases of malware targeting Chinese users to steal crypto credentials). Also, using a separate device or phone for crypto apps (separate from your work/WeChat phone) can compartmentalize risk. Ensure 2FA (two-factor authentication) is enabled on all exchange or P2P accounts (ideally using authenticator apps, not SMS 2FA to a +86 number).
• Dealing with Frozen Accounts: If despite precautions, a bank or payment account of yours gets frozen (卡冻结) due to a crypto-related transfer, there is a standard procedure to follow. Typically, the bank freeze is temporary pending an investigation. You may be asked to explain the transaction. It’s often wise to say as little as possible – you might claim it was for an online purchase or a loan repayment or something mundane. Providing proof of a non-crypto purpose might help if you have it. Eventually, most individual small cases get resolved and the account is unfrozen (possibly after a few weeks/months), though the funds might be held if linked to a crime. If a large sum is frozen as part of a criminal investigation (e.g., unknowingly your counterparty was laundering money), you might need legal counsel to petition for release. To avoid this nightmare, vet your trading partners: do not trade with someone who insists on using third-party accounts or whose name doesn’t match (e.g. a different name for receiving funds – that’s often a sign of dodgy money). Only pay the exact account name/number provided on the P2P order which should match the verified name of the seller.
• Stay Informed: China’s stance on crypto can change. It’s useful to keep an eye on local news (through crypto news sites or communities) for any shifts – for example, if the government announces a crackdown on OTC trading or new monitoring techniques, you’d want to know. Also monitor Hong Kong’s developments; if HK further opens up (or restricts) crypto access, that could present new opportunities or limitations. Joining expat or crypto forums (like r/China or r/CryptoCurrency on Reddit, or WeChat groups if you find trustworthy ones) can provide updates from people on the ground. Just remember to use pseudonyms online and don’t overshare your personal trading info.

In conclusion, purchasing Bitcoin from Shanghai is entirely possible through a variety of methods, but it requires you to operate carefully in a gray market environment. Most people go the P2P route for convenience, using platforms like Binance P2P, Paxful, etc., and pay via AliPay/WeChat or bank transfer . Others use OTC brokers or take trips to Hong Kong to access more official channels. Always weigh the convenience vs. risk: using local P2P is quick but carries some legal risk, whereas going to a regulated venue (like a Hong Kong exchange) is legal but less convenient. By following the best practices outlined – using VPN, keeping trades discreet, and securing your crypto – you can significantly mitigate the risks. Bitcoin’s decentralized nature is exactly why, despite strict bans, Chinese demand remains strong and people find ways to acquire it . Just proceed wisely, and you’ll be able to navigate the process of buying Bitcoin in Shanghai safely.

Sources:

• BanklessTimes – How to Buy Bitcoin in China (2024) 
• Reuters – “Bruised by stock market, Chinese rush into banned bitcoin” (Jan 2024) 
• Forbes (via Reddit summary) – “Chinese People Continue Buying More Bitcoin, Despite Strict Bans” 
• Reddit r/chinalife – Discussion of Alipay and P2P trades 
• Bitcoin.com – Crypto Exchanges in China 2025 (regulatory FAQ) 
• Cointelegraph – OTC shops in Hong Kong (on mainland tourists and OTC culture) 
• Boxmining – Bitcoin OTC in China (Alipay statement on banning crypto transactions)