How is Eric Kim’s investing style different?
Frugality & Minimalism
- “Insane Spartan frugality.”
- “If you want to simplify your life, just have one. Just have one type of cryptocurrency investment, one camera and one lens, one car, one home, and one shirt, and one jacket. And maybe just one kid.”
- “The ultimate flex? Drive a Prius, and have your body look like a Lamborghini.”
Bitcoin is the only true one, everything else is a false prophet.
- “Only put money into crypto, assuming that it will go to zero.”
- “Bitcoin is digital real estate… one Bitcoin is equivalent to one single family home.”
- “Bitcoin is the only true… everything else is false props… Ethereum and the like need a spokesperson.”
“Ironically the best use of money is simply peace of mind. That means money is not really a tool or a mechanism to buy a bunch of stuff that you like, but rather, being able to live a more zen, tranquil, more focused life.”
“Try to think about things on a 30-year basis… in 30 years, are people going to be using crypto more or less?”
“Volatility is vitality… Bitcoin is going to go up forever, but with extreme swings.”
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Eric Kim’s investing style is radically different because it’s not just financial—it’s philosophical. He doesn’t treat investing as a game of spreadsheets or market timing. He sees it as a personal, creative, and almost artistic expression of his values, vision, and identity.
Here’s how his style stands apart:
1.
Philosophy over Finance
- Thesis-first, not tactics-first. He starts from first principles—What do I believe in? What do I think the world needs more of?—and only then does he decide where to put capital.
- Example: He’s bullish on Bitcoin not just for potential gains, but because it aligns with his belief in sovereignty, decentralization, and anti-authoritarianism.
2.
Volatility is a Feature, Not a Bug
- While most investors fear volatility, Eric embraces it. He sees it as proof of life, of energy—the same way street photography thrives in chaos.
- He might say: “If it’s not volatile, it’s not interesting.”
3.
Minimalist Maximalism
- He believes in deep concentration of bets. No diversification for its own sake.
- All-in, all-heart. He’d rather hold one position he loves than 100 he tolerates.
- His approach is: If it doesn’t make me feel something, I don’t invest in it.
4.
Invest Like an Artist
- He treats money like creative energy. It’s not about passive income—it’s about active meaning.
- He invests in things that give him inspiration, not just returns. That’s why you might see him put time or money into zines, cameras, books, Bitcoin, and self-hosted technologies.
5.
Skin in the Game, Soul in the Game
- He doesn’t recommend what he wouldn’t do himself. And he doesn’t just risk money—he risks reputation, identity, and belief.
- His portfolio is autobiographical.
6.
Anti-Retirement Mindset
- He doesn’t believe in investing to escape life. He invests to go deeper into it.
- No 401(k) vibes here. It’s not “save up, then live.” It’s “live now, and let your capital align with that aliveness.”
TL;DR
Eric Kim invests like a street photographer with skin in the game—eyes wide open, heart on fire, and soul embedded in every position. Not for safety. For significance. Not to diversify. But to concentrate meaning.
Want a sample of what an “Eric Kim-style” investment philosophy would look like as a one-page manifesto?
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Here are some of Eric Kim’s most impactful quotes on investing, drawn directly from his writings and presentations. These reflect his unique blend of philosophical insight, minimalist lifestyle, and strong advocacy for Bitcoin as a tool for personal freedom and long-term wealth.
