Bitcoin for Salary? Belgian MP Says Why Not!
Could Bitcoin be the future of salary payments? Belgian MP, Christophe De Beukelaer, thinks so! He made headlines in January 2025 by announcing his decision to receive his entire salary in Bitcoin. This bold move sparked a global conversation about the potential of cryptocurrency in everyday life.
Christophe De Beukelaer, a Belgian Member of Parliament from Brussels, announced his intention to invest his entire salary in Bitcoin, using the country’s popular cryptocurrency trading platform Bit4You. The Brussels MP will convert his monthly salary of EUR 5,500 to Bitcoin, hoping to demonstrate his belief in the long-term potential of the cryptocurrency.
Why Bitcoin? The MP's Perspective
The Brussels Minister who puts his entire €5,500 salary into Bitcoin on the first of every month, sat down with Cointelegraph to discuss his reasoning. He considered his experiment successful in highlighting the importance of understanding cryptocurrency. The strong act was aimed at prompting more people to learn about the technology.
De Beukelaer stated that 'Not taking the time to learn about BTC is Europe’s biggest risk,'. He emphasized the need for European leaders to educate themselves about the technology. Despite being over a decade old, BTC was still viewed with skepticism by many.
The Reality of Bitcoin's Volatility
However, the reality of Bitcoin's volatility cannot be ignored. At the end of January 2025, member of the Belgian parliament Christophe De Beukelaer became the first European politician to convert his salary to Bitcoin (BTC). The positive answer is hardly imaginable, given the BTC’s decline from almost $38,000 in January 2025 to $17,246 at the time of publication in January 2025. This highlights the inherent risks associated with holding Bitcoin, particularly when used for regular income.
A Conversation Starter
Regardless of the financial outcome, Christophe De Beukelaer's initiative serves as a powerful conversation starter. The Brussels MP's monthly salary of 5,500 euros ($6,140) was to be converted to Bitcoin, creating awareness. As the first politician in Europe to do so, he has undoubtedly put Bitcoin on the radar for many more people.
While the long-term success of this experiment remains to be seen, Belgian MP, Christophe De Beukelaer was the latest to catch the crypto bug as he intends to convert his salary into Bitcoin. This case study provides valuable insights into the potential and challenges of adopting Bitcoin as a form of salary payment.