Brian Rose, an American businessman and pro-crypto advocate, is once again running for the position of London mayor. The election is scheduled for May 2, and Rose is competing against incumbent Sadiq Khan and Susan Hall. While Rose only received 1.2% of the vote in the previous election, he hopes to improve on that this time around. In a recent interview with Cointelegraph, Rose explained his decision to run again in 2024.
Rose is known for his “Digital Freedom Platform,” where he conducts long-form interviews similar to popular podcaster Joe Rogan. His guests cover a wide range of topics, including politics, wellness, self-improvement, and wealth. Many of his interview subjects come from the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry, which has shaped his political views.
According to Rose, the current leadership in the United Kingdom is not doing enough to promote the crypto industry. He believes that London has the potential to become a crypto-first city and attract significant business and industry. However, he feels that the prime minister and other regulatory bodies, such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), are not fully supportive of this vision.
Rose has a long-standing association with Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. His show, London Real, regularly features high-profile figures from the crypto world. He started featuring the top 100 people in crypto, which helped him attract big names for interviews. Rose also advocates for the use of blockchain beyond financial applications. He believes that blockchain can secure the voting system and address concerns about election fraud.
One of Rose’s policy proposals is the creation of a “London coin,” which would distribute £100 to every London resident. The liquidity for this token would come from a one-off 1% tax on the traditional financial sector. Rose envisions the London coin having DeFi practicalities and aims to make it super functional.
Rose’s political views and activities have not been without controversy. In 2020, he faced criticism for broadcasting an episode of London Real featuring conspiracy theorist David Icke during the COVID-19 lockdown. The episode was eventually removed from YouTube, and Rose was censored. This incident led him to create the Digital Freedom Platform, which hosts his broadcasts and aims to resist censorship.
Despite facing challenges, Rose remains committed to his campaign. He plans to spend the final days of the campaign in London, hoping to secure as many votes as possible. If he receives at least 5% of the vote, it would strengthen his case for inclusion in future televised mayoral debates. Londoners will have the opportunity to cast their votes on May 2.