Jeremy Tan, a 34-year-old retiree and entrepreneur, is Singapore’s first “bitcoin candidate.” In the 2025 General Election, he stepped forward as an independent, contesting Mountbatten Single Member Constituency (SMC) and, in the process, stopped a potential second walkover that would have handed the seats to the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) without a vote.
The Scene on Nomination Day
On 23 Apr 2025, Nomination Day saw surprises and last-minute changes across Singapore. At Mountbatten SMC, Jeremy Tan submitted his nomination papers, setting up a straight fight with PAP’s Gho Sze Kee. Without his candidacy, Mountbatten SMC would have seen a walkover, as no other opposition party or independent had filed to contest the seat.
Tan’s entrance meant Mountbatten’s 29,000-plus voters would have a choice at the ballot box. He told reporters he lives just 600 metres outside the constituency and wanted to serve as a full-time MP, saying, “To be a good MP, I believe I must be close to my residents”.
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The Second Walkover That Wasn’t
Tan’s decision to run had a ripple effect. Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Group Representation Constituency (GRC), which absorbed parts of the former Marine Parade GRC and MacPherson SMC, was left uncontested after the Workers’ Party (WP) pulled out at the last minute. The absence of WP led to a walkover, with the PAP team elected unopposed.
Tan, who lives just outside Mountbatten in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, had considered running in his own GRC. By choosing Mountbatten SMC, he ensured at least one more seat would not go uncontested. If he had not stood in Mountbatten, both constituencies—Mountbatten SMC and Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC—would have seen walkovers.
Why Jeremy Tan Ran
Tan’s motivation stemmed from personal hardship. His mother was diagnosed with stage three cancer in 2020, and several family members lost their jobs during the pandemic. He sold his company the following year and began researching policies, concluding that change could only come from within the legislature.
He styled himself “Encik Bitcoin,” championing Bitcoin as an “inflation-proof” asset and proposing a Singapore dollar-denominated Bitcoin ETF for savings protection. Tan’s campaign, run entirely without party backing or donations, focused on accessibility. He promised a 48-hour email response and 15-minute phone slots for residents. He also leveraged his business experience, having managed teams and operations, to assure voters he could handle municipal issues.
The Unorthodox Campaign
Tan’s campaign was unconventional. He relied heavily on his website to share detailed policy proposals and statistics, encouraging residents to contact him directly via Telegram and Instagram. He held walkabouts at hawker centres and public housing estates, introducing himself as an independent candidate and explaining his Bitcoin advocacy.
He addressed misconceptions about his background, clarifying that he did not come from wealth and had experienced hardship, including temporary stays in rental housing. Tan also pledged to be a full-time MP, pointing out that he was no longer working and could dedicate himself fully to the role.
The Result
By stepping forward, Jeremy Tan prevented Mountbatten SMC from being won uncontested by PAP. His candidacy also meant that, although Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC saw a walkover, at least one seat in the area would have a contest.
Tan’s actions ensured that more Singaporeans had the chance to vote in GE2025, making him the independent who stopped two walkovers in their tracks.
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