Former European Parliament member Godfrey Bloom has revealed that he bought bitcoin for the first time this week, a notable move from a British politician long known for attacking the banking system, central bankers, and the role of the state in economic crises.
Bloom served as a Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber from 2004 to 2014. Initially elected under the U.K. Independence Party, he later sat as an independent. Beyond politics, he has written books on military history and Austrian economics. His public image has been shaped by outspoken views, including describing the state as an institution of theft and blaming politicians and central bankers for debt crises.
First bitcoin purchase draws strong response
In a social media post, Bloom said he made his first bitcoin purchases this week and added that he already held plenty of gold and silver. The comment suggests that bitcoin is being added alongside, rather than instead of, his existing preference for precious metals.
At the time referenced in the original report, the post had generated 257 comments, 2.7K likes, and 473 reposts. Following the reaction from the crypto community, the 70-year-old former lawmaker said he would spend the weekend studying bitcoin further so he could better understand its complexities. He also said he hoped to share his experience with other older individuals interested in diversifying away from fiat currencies.
Diversification, not a reversal of view
Bloom had discussed bitcoin before, saying earlier that he was not anti-bitcoin but felt more comfortable with gold. He has long described himself as a gold buyer, noting in the past that he had accumulated the metal since the 1990s and stored it in a London safety deposit box.
Addressing the suggestion that he had changed his mind, Bloom said people should not confuse portfolio diversification with any broader shift in his beliefs. He framed the bitcoin purchase as an investment decision rather than an ideological conversion. He also indicated that his research would not stop at bitcoin, adding that he would also pay attention to Ethereum and decentralized finance (DeFi) as he studies the sector more closely.