Brock Pierce
Born 1980 · Age 46
American entrepreneur and former child actor active in digital entertainment, online gaming, and cryptocurrency; co-founder of Tether and Blockchain Capital; ran as an independent candidate for U.S. President in 2020.
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Life & Career Timeline
Appeared in toddler commercials
Began appearing in commercials as a toddler (early exposure to performing/acting).
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Brock Jeffrey Pierce born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
First major film role: The Mighty Ducks
Played young Gordon Bombay in Disney's The Mighty Ducks (major child acting breakthrough).
Reprised role in D2: The Mighty Ducks
Appeared again as young Gordon Bombay in the sequel D2: The Mighty Ducks; also had a small role in Little Big League.
Several small film roles
Appeared in Ripper Man, Problem Child 3: Junior in Love, and Three Wishes (small supporting roles).
Starred in First Kid
Played Luke Davenport (U.S. First Son) in Disney's First Kid; last period of major child acting roles as he moved away from acting.
Final acting credits (1996-1997)
Small roles in Earth Minus Zero, The Ride, Legend of the Lost Tomb and other TV movies through 1997; retired from acting at about 16–17 and shifted to business.
Joined Digital Entertainment Network (DEN) as partner
As a teenager Pierce became a minor partner with Marc Collins-Rector and Chad Shackley in establishing Digital Entertainment Network (DEN), a pioneer in web video content for niche audiences.
DEN: raised venture capital
Digital Entertainment Network raised approximately $88 million in venture capital in the late 1990s while aiming for rapid growth.
Personal compensation and equity at DEN
Reportedly as an 18–19-year-old Pierce was earning $250,000/year and held ~1% of DEN's shares (reporting varies); early career compensation was significant for his age.
DEN $75M IPO withdrawn
DEN was slated for a US$75 million IPO in October 1999, but the IPO was withdrawn after allegations surfaced about Marc Collins-Rector.
DEN layoffs
Following the executive resignations and scandal fallout DEN implemented layoffs in February 2000.
DEN bankruptcy and shutdown
DEN filed for bankruptcy and shut down in June 2000 after failed relaunch attempts.
Lawsuit filed by former DEN employees
Three former DEN employees filed a suit alleging sexual assault and other misconduct involving DEN executives; Pierce was named but claims were later dismissed/settled with respect to him.
Founded Internet Gaming Entertainment (IGE)
Pierce founded IGE, pioneering the MMORPG currency-selling services industry (real-money trading for virtual goods).
Founded ZAM network
Founded ZAM, a network of MMORPG-oriented websites (included Wowhead, Thottbot, Torhead, etc.).
DEN-related litigation settlements (approx. timeframe)
By roughly 2003 some of the lawsuits related to DEN were resolved/settled/dismissed with respect to Pierce; reported settlements included legal fee awards to a plaintiff.
IGE began acquisitions (2004–2005)
IGE spent more than $25 million between 2004 and 2005 buying out seven smaller competitors, expanding its online gaming market position.
IGE market share estimate
Pierce estimated IGE accounted for about 50% of the U.S. online market for virtual goods, in a market of roughly $500 million annual volume.
Steve Bannon-led venture deal for IGE ($60M)
Steve Bannon helped arrange a $60 million venture capital arrangement in February 2006; Pierce reportedly took $20 million for a minority stake.
IGE class-action, company failure and Pierce ousted
IGE faced litigation and operational challenges resulting in company failure and Pierce being forced out of the business.
Joined Titan Gaming board
Pierce was recruited to sit on Titan Gaming's board alongside industry executives; Titan later purchased Xfire from Viacom.
Titan Gaming purchased Xfire from Viacom
Titan Gaming acquired the online gaming network Xfire from Viacom in 2010 (Titan later parted ways with Xfire).
Xfire raised $4M from Intel Capital; Titan cut ties
In October 2011 Xfire raised over $4 million from Intel Capital; Titan Gaming and Xfire subsequently parted ways.
Guest speaker: Milken Global Conference
Pierce has been a guest speaker at the Milken Global Conference (coverage references him as a 2012 speaker).
Tencent acquired ZAM
Chinese internet giant Tencent acquired the ZAM.com gaming network in March 2012 (exit for ZAM).
Titan Gaming rebranded as Playsino with new funding
In late April 2012 Titan Gaming announced a rebrand to Playsino, with Pierce as CEO at the time and reported $1.5 million of new funding.
Managing director, Clearstone Global Gaming Fund; multiple board roles
By 2013 Pierce served as managing director of Clearstone Global Gaming Fund and sat on boards (IMI Exchange, Xfire, Playsino (until replaced), GoCoin, FGL, Spicy Horse, KnC Miner.cn, Mastercoin Foundation) and invested in BTC China and BitAngels.
Co-founded Blockchain Capital
Joined Bart and Bradford Stephens to found Blockchain Capital, a venture capital firm focused on blockchain startups.
Worked with Mastercoin — early ICO involvement
Pierce worked with Mastercoin in 2013; Mastercoin's ICO was among the earliest and helped spark widespread ICO activity.
Co-founded Tether (stablecoin)
Pierce co-founded Tether with Reeve Collins and Craig Sellars; Tether later became a leading stablecoin pegged to USD reserves.
Bitcoin Foundation controversy and resignations
Following Pierce's election to the Bitcoin Foundation board, several members resigned over concerns; the Foundation struggled subsequently.
Offered to buy Mt. Gox assets via Sunlot Holdings Ltd.
In March 2014 Pierce and a group of investors filed an offer to purchase the assets of bankrupt Mt. Gox using Sunlot Holdings Ltd., after Mt. Gox announced it had lost ~850,000 BTC.
Elected Director, Bitcoin Foundation
Pierce was elected to the board of the Bitcoin Foundation in May 2014 (some resignations in the organization followed amid controversy).
Bitcoin Foundation announced insolvency
The Bitcoin Foundation announced it was insolvent in July 2015 after governance and funding challenges.
Pierce's involvement in Tether ended (per his later statements)
Pierce has said his involvement with Tether ended in 2015 (he stated this publicly in a July 2020 interview).
Guest speaker: Singularity University and Caltech (approx.)
Pierce spoke at Singularity University and California Institute of Technology events (dates reported across sources, referenced around mid-2010s).
Co-founded Block.one (EOS ecosystem)
Pierce was a co-founder of Block.one, the company behind EOS.IO software and ecosystem (EOS ICO ran 2017–2018).
Blockchain Capital reported to have raised $85M (by Oct 2017)
Blockchain Capital reportedly raised $85 million across two venture funds by October 2017; Pierce was a founding partner.
EOS/Block.one ICO raised the largest amount in history (~$4B+)
Block.one's EOS ICO (2017–2018) raised more than $4 billion, one of the largest token/ICO raises ever.
Relocated to Puerto Rico to help form crypto community
Pierce relocated to Puerto Rico along with other crypto entrepreneurs to build a crypto-centric local economy in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
Converted former Old San Juan monastery into headquarters
Pierce converted a former Freemasons' hall / monastery in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico into his headquarters/base of operations.
Announced pledge to give away $1 billion (charitable plan)
In 2018 Pierce publicly discussed plans to give away a billion dollars to charity via crypto philanthropic structures (project planning stage per Rolling Stone).
Named by Forbes as one of top 20 wealthiest in crypto
A February 2018 Forbes list named Pierce among the 'top 20 wealthiest people in crypto' with an estimated net worth between $700M and $1.1B.
Role changed to Chief Strategy Officer at Block.one; resigned
By March 2018 Pierce's role at Block.one had shifted to chief strategy officer; he resigned that month to focus on community building.
Rolling Stone profile: 'The Hippie King of Cryptocurrency'
Lengthy Rolling Stone feature profiled Pierce's activities in Puerto Rico, community ambitions, and stated philanthropic plans (including a pledged $1B giveaway concept).
Tether surpasses Bitcoin in trading volume (2019)
Tether achieved the highest daily and monthly trading volume of any cryptocurrency in 2019, surpassing Bitcoin in some volume metrics.
Official 2020 election result
In the 2020 presidential election Pierce received approximately 0.03% of the popular vote.
Interview: described Tether as important; said his involvement ended in 2015
In a July 2020 interview Pierce said his involvement in Tether ended in 2015 and called Tether 'one of the most important innovations in currency.'
Acquired Pierce School Loft in Washington, D.C.
Pierce purchased the Pierce School Loft penthouse (formerly owned/listed by Dwight Howard) in Washington, D.C.; reported acquisition coverage in January 2020.
Announced candidacy for U.S. President (Independent)
Pierce announced his independent candidacy for President of the United States for the 2020 election on July 5, 2020.
Filed FEC registration for presidential campaign
Pierce's presidential campaign filed registration documents with the Federal Election Commission on July 7, 2020.
Ballot access in Oklahoma (2020 campaign)
Pierce secured ballot access in Oklahoma on July 15, 2020 (paid ballot access filing reportedly part of Oklahoma process).
Ballot access in Arkansas
Pierce gained ballot access in Arkansas on August 12, 2020.
Ballot access in Colorado
Pierce was certified for the Colorado ballot on August 19, 2020.
Nominated by the New York Independence Party
Pierce was nominated by the Independence Party of New York on August 24, 2020.
Announced intention to form a new party in 2021
On Sept 14, 2020, Pierce announced plans to form a new political party and run candidates in 2022.
Participated in Free & Equal Second Open Presidential Debate
Pierce participated in the Second Open Presidential Debate in Denver on October 8, 2020, with other minor-party/independent candidates.
First presidential vote via blockchain app
Pierce became the first presidential candidate in U.S. history to receive a vote via a personal mobile app using blockchain (Voatz) on Oct 13, 2020 in Utah County.
Vice chair and spokesperson, Toys for Tots (NY/LI/PR)
Pierce served as vice chair and spokesperson for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Foundation of New York, Long Island and Puerto Rico (role timing noted in press around 2021).
Led delegation to El Salvador advising on Bitcoin adoption
Pierce led an international delegation to El Salvador in June 2021 to advise the government on formal adoption of Bitcoin as national currency.
Co-founded Roundtable Media
In June 2021 Pierce co-founded Roundtable Media with James Heckman and David Bailey (digital media and advisory firm).
Funded NYPD Gaming Trucks initiative
In late 2021 Pierce funded a new NYPD Gaming Trucks initiative to bring gaming to New York City children (press coverage Oct 20, 2021).
Filed FEC statement: considering 2022 U.S. Senate run
In November 2021 Pierce filed a statement of organization with the FEC and confirmed he was considering a 2022 run for the U.S. Senate (Vermont seat).
Did not qualify for Vermont Senate ballot due to tax-status concerns
After reporting indicated he could lose federal income tax-free status as a Puerto Rico resident by running in Vermont, Pierce did not file to qualify for the ballot.
Public film/documentary appearances
Featured in documentary archive and interview footage: An Open Secret (2014), Play Money (2015), and Landfall (2020).
Spoke at Federalist Society Puerto Rico Lawyers Chapter event
Pierce spoke at 'Crypto: Regulation and National Security Implications' hosted by the Puerto Rico Lawyers Chapter (Federalist Society) on Oct 13, 2022 in San Juan, PR.
Ongoing entrepreneurship, investments and community work
Continued activity in crypto entrepreneurship, media ventures, Puerto Rico community development and philanthropy; ongoing advisory and investment roles.
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