Crypto Czar, Former US Presidential Candidate and Former Child Actor Shares his Thoughts on Preserving the Past While Taking Us Into The Future
When Brock Pierce walks into a room, he often unknowingly commands it with indefatigable charm and wit. A regular visitor of Monaco, he recently spoke at Sir Anthony Ritossa’s 15th Global Family Office Investment Summit. There, he encouraged attendees to invest in themselves and learn how digital currencies work by buying a small amount of Bitcoin not as an investment, but as a learning tool. When the former child actor isn’t counseling governments on the future of cryptocurrencies, he spends his time on his other passion — seeking out unique historic properties around the world — then restoring them to their former splendor. It started with a 17th Century forbidden chapel in Amsterdam which he acquired back in 2019. Shortly thereafter, he purchased the El Monasterio, a former Masonic temple and hotel residence in Puerto Rico, a U.S. Caribbean island, which he now calls home. During his U.S. Presidential run last year, he spotted and purchased the historic three-story namesake property known as the “Pierce School” in Washington, D.C.
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His most recent acquisition, however, could well be the most romantic. One Saturday morning, the crypto entrepreneur got a call from his friend, Chris Wilson, who, knowing Pierce’s passion for preserving history, presented him with an opportunity that would pique his interest. The MV Funchal, a 152-meter Portuguese ocean liner superbly built in 1961 by the Danish firm Helsingor Skibveaert (under the supervision of Portuguese naval engineer Rogerio D’Oliveira) is the last remaining ship and symbol of the once large fleet of Portuguese liners. MV Funchal served as a presidential yacht for Presidente Américo Tomas in 1962, a vessel that carried the ashes of King Pedro I of Portugal and First Emperor of Brazil. This loved and cherished vessel is a true national treasure for the Portuguese people, which, had it not been for Pierce’s “intervention” would have been turned into — scrap. The previous buyers had intended to convert it to a party hotel to travel from Liverpool to Ibiza, but payment was not met and the ship continued to lay in Lisbon — with an uncertain future — until it was deemed to be sold for scrap metal value. Enter Pierce, who purchased the vessel at auction, sight unseen. Pierce adds humour to the situation by saying “Well, with climate change, we’ll never know when we’ll need an ark.” While Pierce could have certainly turned a fast profit in multiples by selling the vessel for scrap, nothing could be further from the entrepreneur’s mind.
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“Well, with climate change, we’ll never know when we’ll need an ark.” – Brock Pierce
Today, the iconic vessel is about to undergo massive restoration instead of destruction. Pierce, a futurist by nature, has the foresight to preserve this piece of history, and to commit to a considerable investment to save her. Pierce’s gesture and plans have been met with great enthusiasm by the Portuguese. Conversations continue to ensue and Pierce has assured everyone that the MV Funchal will remain in Lisbon in all her glory for all to see.
There are plans for a five-star hotel with one hundred and sixty rooms, three restaurants, and five bars with various options to suit all pocketbooks. “We want to make sure there’s something for everyone” adds Pierce. The renaissance city of Lisbon provides great accessibility to the transatlantic and is a central location in Europe. It seems that Pierce is becoming known for his ability to not only take us into the future, but also into the past by preserving significant pieces of history as part of his legacy.
Credits
Photo: Peter Ruprecht
Producer: Serry Osmeña