Rick 🇬🇧

You Would Be The Chancellor That Sold The Bitcoin Another open letter to @RachelReevesMP Dear Chancellor, Me again. I am the author of Bitcoin: The Future of Money? (2014), generally agreed to the first book on bitcoin from a recognised publisher. I write with regard to the proposed sale of the UK’s bitcoin. Since bitcoin was first introduced in 2009 - invented in reaction to the loose monetary policies of the Global Financial Crisis - bank bail outs, quantitative easing, zero interest policies etc - and the economic injustices they created, the protocol has grown from nothing to a market cap above $2 trillion. A whole new economy has emerged around the technology where none previously existed, providing countless opportunities for individuals, entrepreneurs and nations alike. Initially the domain of a few coders, it is now finding mass adoption at the corporate and even national level. The US is recognizing the digital asset’s importance, as it introduces its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, while China, according to estimates, holds 190,000 coins. Initially, the UK was at the heart of the Bitcoin story. Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous inventor, wrote in British English, cited UK media, and many early meetups and conferences took place here. Chancellors George Osborne and Rishi Sunak both expressed their desire for the UK to become a global hub for this emerging technology. But the FCA took an opposing view and made it increasingly difficult for UK citizens to participate, so that we have now fallen behind. Opinion about bitcoin is divided. Those who use the technology regularly believe it is not just likely, but inevitable, that it will become the world’s dominant monetary network. Many others – typically the older generation, economists or legacy finance – dismiss it as a bubble, often without having tested the tech in any meaningful way. Whichever side of the debate you fall on, the fact that Bitcoin has become the most desired digital asset in the world is indisputable. Among the many features that make bitcoin unique is that its supply is finite. With its estimated 61,000 confiscated bitcoins, the UK has been gifted an extraordinary opportunity. We now hold roughly 3% of total supply. I understand that politics demands a focus on the short term – the next Budget, the next election – but I urge you to approach your decision with long-term vision. Please consult with people who regularly use the technology. Do not make this decision based solely on advice from people who never use bitcoin. Take Bulgaria, for example. In 2017, it sold all of its seized bitcoin to cover a short-term budget gap. Those coins today would be worth enough to eliminate the country’s entire national debt. From a strategic perspective, the UK’s bitcoin holdings represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity. As fiat currencies decline in purchasing power and the global economy moves toward digital and AI-driven systems, this asset could help Britain re-establish itself as an economic superpower with significant geopolitical leverage and monetary independence. An opportunity of this kind is not to be thrown away lightly. Once those coins are sold, we will never be able to buy them back. If bitcoin becomes a hundred trillion dollar network – as some project – the UK's share could prove transformational. That may sound fanciful today, but every surprise in bitcoin’s history has been to the upside. There is also your personal political legacy to consider. You would be the Chancellor who sold Britain’s bitcoin. That will be how people remember you – just as Gordon Brown, for all else he did, is remembered primarily for needlessly selling Britain’s gold at the bottom of the market. For the rest of your life, every time bitcoin rises in price, people will look at what you sold our coins for and say: “This is how much she lost us.” You are consigning yourself to that fate. Do you want that to be your legacy?

An Open Letter to the UK Government🇬🇧 To Whom It May Concern, I write with concern regarding reports that the UK Government is considering selling the Bitcoin it holds from criminal seizures. As a 28-year-old Brit who has spent my 20s building a business to educate individuals and companies about Bitcoin, I believe this decision warrants careful reflection. In 2022, I hosted the UK’s first major Bitcoin conference in Edinburgh, welcoming speakers like Dr. Lisa Cameron, former Chair of the Crypto and Digital Assets All-Party Parliamentary Group, alongside institutions like Fidelity and Coutts Bank. Our mission is to advance constructive dialogue about Bitcoin’s potential, not as speculators, but as educators. At a time when sovereign wealth funds, asset managers, and nations are accumulating Bitcoin, selling these holdings to address a short-term budget deficit would send a concerning signal. It risks repeating the missed opportunity of Gordon Brown’s gold sales in the early 2000s, with long-term consequences for the UK’s economic positioning. Bitcoin is not just another cryptocurrency. It’s a technological breakthrough, akin to the internet or the printing press. While its volatility and regulatory challenges are concerns for many, major players like BlackRock, whose ETF became the fastest to reach $80 billion in assets under management, recognise its generational potential. This is a pivotal moment. Do we sell a transformative asset for short-term gain, or do we reflect on its role in the UK’s future? Having engaged with the Scottish Government for years, I’d welcome the chance to discuss this with any UK department, MP, or official. If there’s interest, I’d be glad to host a briefing or roundtable to share what I and others in this space have learned. Let’s not be the nation that sold because we didn’t take the time to understand what we held. Sincerely, Jordan Walker Founder, @BitcoinColl

🇬🇧OUT NOW: Why the UK and Europe Need Bitcoin (with @Peterlane1985) 🛠️ The first and only spot Bitcoin ETF in Europe 🏛️ Behind the scenes with regulators 🧠 Bitcoin is often viewed as a new language 🇬🇧 UK Bitcoiners are rising up Full episode below 🧵👇

🚨 Big news for UK Bitcoin & crypto markets: The FCA is lifting the ban on crypto ETNs (Exchange Traded Notes) for retail investors from June 2025. This means everyday investors — not just professionals — will be able to gain crypto exposure via regulated markets. 🧵 ✅ ETNs will be allowed on FCA-approved exchanges (RIEs), making crypto access more mainstream and secure for UK retail investors. 📢 Financial promotion rules will apply — so investors must receive clear info on risks before investing. 🇬🇧 This is a major shift in policy aimed at supporting the UK’s growth, innovation, and competitiveness in crypto markets. "We want to rebalance our approach... and let people make the choice on whether such a high-risk investment is right for them." – David Geale, FCA 📊 This could be a huge unlock for Bitcoin access in pensions, SIPPs, ISAs (eventually?), and financial adviser platforms. The door is finally opening. #Bitcoin #Crypto #ETNs #UKFinance #FCA

The Financial Times IS a well revered top Financial Publication within Traditional Finance. Throughout college, my finance teacher harped on us that the FT was the most reputable news source for financial information. THE top tier publication. Made us all get subscriptions. So, when I was asked to be interviewed by the FT it was a complete honor. I felt my finance career coming full circle. My time to shine, be recognized by a top tier financial publication…. So I thought… What they published was a woefully inadequate representation of the Bitcoin network and marketplace, while also showing poor critical thinking or comprehension, on a $2 Trillion dollar asset. This is the biggest story in all of finance, and they’re downplaying it. I’m not sure why they aired this… They should also release the individual conversations with @saylor and myself. Would be more authentic, and materially more educational for viewers. Information asymmetry is through the roof. True North is going 🟩👆🏼Higher