London’s ‘Joe Rogan’ and crypto advocate Brian Rose makes bid for mayor

Brian Rose is a British entrepreneur, podcast host, and mayoral candidate for London who advocates for using blockchain technology in various fields, including finance and democracy. He gained notoriety through his long-running podcast “London Real,” which has been censored and removed from platforms like YouTube due to controversial guests and their views on topics such as COVID-19 and elections. Rose is also a free speech advocate and believes that blockchain can help secure the electoral process and provide permanent, accessible, and reliable records. He has raised over $1 million through crowdfunding for his Digital Freedom Platform, which hosts London Real broadcasts after being deplatformed from YouTube. The platform includes livestreams but does not yet use blockchain technology due to bandwidth limitations and the lack of a viable solution for hosting video on the blockchain. Rose is currently promoting his documentary “We Will Not Be Silenced” in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He plans to spend the final days of the campaign back in London, aiming to secure every last vote he can for the May 2 mayoral elections.


Pro-crypto American businessman Brian Rose is running for London mayor again.

London residents will cast their votes on May 2nd for the upcoming mayoral election. The current mayor, Sadiq Khan, is running for re-election alongside Susan Hall, who is a strong contender in the race.

As a crypto investor reflecting on the past elections, I recall that I put my support behind a candidate named Rose during the 2021 elections. She managed to secure a voting share of 1.2%. However, with renewed determination and increased awareness in the community, I am optimistic that her campaign will yield better results this election cycle.

Rose spoke with CryptoMoon to explain why he decided to stand again in 2024.

“I love London so much. I’ve been there for over 20 years. This city’s given me everything: my business, my purpose. My two children were born here. I plan to be buried in the city,” said Rose. “So it’s my way of giving back.”

As a dedicated champion for free speech, I, Rose, run a popular digital platform where I engage in extensive interviews. I draw parallels with renowned podcaster Joe Rogan. My guests delve into various themes such as politics, wellness, self-improvement, and wealth. A significant number of my interviewees are associated with the realm of blockchain and cryptocurrency, shaping my perspectives on political issues.

I’ve noticed that the current administration in the United Kingdom hasn’t been very active in advocating for the crypto industry.

As an analyst, I strongly advocate for positioning London as a leader in the crypto sector and attracting a significant influx of business and innovation in this field. However, at present, we lack the necessary infrastructure and government support to make this a reality. The prime minister has shown some interest in crypto but has yet to take concrete actions.

In 2022, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his plan to establish the U.K. as a leading destination for crypto asset tech innovation. However, by 2024, significant advancements in this area have yet to materialize.

As a researcher, I would put forth that Sunak’s underperformance isn’t an isolated issue. I also have concerns about the effectiveness of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the regulatory body responsible for overseeing cryptocurrency in the U.K.

“Rose lamented that the FCA and other entities are forcing companies out with great reluctance,” or “Rose regretted that the FCA and other bodies were compelling companies to leave against their will.”

Blockchain use cases and London coin

Rose tells CryptoMoon that his association with Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrency is longstanding.

London Real frequently hosts well-known figures from the cryptocurrency sphere. The businessman shares his past strategies for securing interviews with such notable guests.

As an analyst, I initiated showcasing the leading figures in the cryptocurrency sphere. Notably, these individuals consented due to my substantial following on YouTube, boasting approximately two million subscribers – a platform reach that likely surpasses their previous exposures.

“I could have Michael Saylor, Raoul Pal, Yat Siu and most of the layer-1 founders — Justin Sun, Hedera Hashgraph, Avax — and they taught me about the blockchain.”

In 2013, I interviewed Max Keiser on my program about Bitcoin. This was my initial introduction to the cryptocurrency, leading me to make my first purchase and delve deeper into the subject. Later on, in the years 2015, ’17, and ’19, I had the pleasure of hosting Andreas Antonopoulos as a guest. He is often referred to as the “Bitcoin Jesus” by some due to his extensive knowledge and influence within the Bitcoin community.

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Rose is strongly advocating for a policy focus centered around cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. To gain support from London residents, he has proposed introducing a new digital currency named the “London coin.”

As an analyst, I’d interpret Rose’s proposal this way: I’d say that according to her suggestion, every London resident would receive the monetary equivalent of £100 through the issuance of a token. She proposes funding this initiative by tapping into the financial sector, specifically targeting traditional institutions for the necessary liquidity.

As a researcher studying financial systems, I would propose injecting the market with a substantial amount of liquidity, approximately equivalent to 1 billion pounds. Simultaneously, we could impose a one-time tax of 1% on those financial institutions primarily based in the City of London, which are likely to have amassed significant profits. This levy is intended to ensure that these entities contribute back to the economy.

“Then, what we would do is put that in the wallets and hands of every man, woman and child and use them to stake that for additional yields, allowing them to pay for public transport and other services with that and that alone. If we can make that work over the next 12 months, it could literally be copied by so many other cities.”

Rose expressed her desire for a highly functional product with integrated DeFi features. Hence, the plan for the London coin.

Blockchain for democracy

Rose believes that blockchain technology extends beyond just financial uses. As a political candidate, she champions the idea of employing this technology to enhance the security of the electoral process. She references a 2005 Ipsos study which indicated that approximately half of British voters harbor concerns about election fraud.

Although that research might be outdated, it’s safe to assume that more contemporary happenings in London haven’t boosted voter trust. In 2015, Lutfur Rahman, the mayor of Tower Hamlets borough in East London, was convicted for election fraud and ordered to pay a fine of £250,000. Consequently, a re-run of the election took place, and Rahman was disqualified from participating that year.

In March 2022, I, as the concerned Communities Minister, penned letters to the Metropolitan Police and the Electoral Commission, voicing apprehensions regarding potential recurrence of voting fraud. Later in May 2022, Rahman managed to secure another term as the representative of Tower Hamlets.

In her observation, Rose notices a comparable issue arising on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. This situation suggests a decline in faith among voters following the most recent US presidential elections.

After the 2020 elections, particularly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, there were numerous claims that the elections weren’t fair there, according to Rose. She expressed her belief that unfair elections have been a longstanding issue in that city for the past century.

In a press release on April 25, I expressed my belief that blockchain technology has the potential to bring transparency to the electorate regarding voting processes. Additionally, it can enhance the security of elections and create a permanent, unalterable record that is easily accessible for verification purposes.

Concerning the London elections, Rose shared with CryptoMoon, “I’m not implying any wrongdoing, but rather emphasizing that it’s the role of London Elects to assure the British public that their votes carry weight.”

London Elects is the body responsible for the mayoral elections in London.

London’s ‘Joe Rogan’ and crypto advocate Brian Rose makes bid for mayor

Run-ins with Ofcom and YouTube

Rose, the host of the longstanding London Real podcast, is not without critics or controversy.

A significant portion of Rose’s political views are connected to his podcast and the circumstances surrounding its release.

In the year 2020, amidst the U.K.’s COVID-19 lockdown, Rose aired an episode of London Real with renowned conspiracy theorist David Icke. Icke is most famous for advocating the belief that members of the British royal family are actually shape-shifting reptiles from outer space or another dimension.

Rose, an advocate for free speech, shared with CryptoMoon her perspective, “Although I don’t necessarily concur with every opinion expressed by my guests, I firmly believe they have the freedom to share their views.”

In the year 2020, Icke put forth several theories concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. During his appearance on London Real, he attributed the weakened immune systems of the elderly population to an electromagnetic “stew of radiation toxicity.” Additionally, he claimed that a secretive cult was exploiting the virus to establish a “Big Brother” style global authority, which would be facilitated by advanced artificial intelligence technology.

The U.K.’s communications regulator, Ofcom, received 48 complaints about the London Real broadcast.

“Rose stated, ‘We didn’t provoke violence or attempt to overthrow governments. It was merely a conversation between two people. Yet, it seemed threatening to some.'”

On the podcast, Rose resisted or outright disagreed with Icke’s theories.

“I do believe in the science, and I do believe in vaccines,” he told Icke at the time.

As an analyst, I would rephrase it as follows: Although Rose’s broadcast was taken down from YouTube, the media regulatory body, Ofcom, determined that the content could have posed a considerable risk to London viewers amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.

Digital Freedom Platform

After having his YouTube channel censored, Rose embarked on the journey to establish the “Digital Freedom Platform,” a site where London Real broadcasts are hosted. Currently, he no longer posts content on YouTube; instead, he shared with CryptoMoon that his account was permanently suspended eight months ago.

The supporters of Rose raised a total of one million dollars through crowdfunding for the Digital Freedom Platform project. While fundraising, Rose announced that two hundred thousand dollars would specifically be used to implement blockchain technology.

CryptoMoon asked Rose how that blockchain integration was progressing.

“Rose pointed out that integrating videos onto the blockchain remains a challenge. She’s currently engaging with a few businesses in Dubai, but due to bandwidth limitations, it’s almost impracticable at this point.”

He added, “I would love to do it because we continue to be censored.”

During an interview with PoliticsJoe in April 2021, Rose explained another motivation behind not integrating blockchain into the Digital Freedom Platform yet. He mentioned that he had previously used the funds allocated for this purpose on other features of the platform, specifically on implementing livestreams.

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During a conversation between CryptoMoon and Rose, she was located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, sharing information about her upcoming documentary film, titled “We Will Not Be Silenced.” This thought-provoking production focuses on the suppression of London Real in 2020 and features a deeper collaboration with David Icke, whom Rose has grown particularly close to in recent years.

As a dedicated crypto investor and ardent supporter of free speech, I used to hold a balanced perspective on this issue. However, after witnessing recent events, my conviction has intensified to an almost fanatical level. They underestimated the power and determination of someone who stands up for what they believe in.

Rose intends to return to London during the remaining days of his campaign to rally every potential voter. If he manages to secure a voting share of 5% or higher, it may boost his eligibility for future televised debates in case he chooses to run again.

London goes to the polls on May 2.

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2024-04-30 16:41