The newly unsealed Epstein recordsdata, launched on January 30, make clear his stunning proximity to cryptocurrency founders, buyers, and initiatives through the business’s early life.
The paperwork present a mixture of funding discussions, philosophical commentary, and make contact with with outstanding figures in Bitcoin’s rise.
A “Sharia Coin” For Saudi Arabia and Bitcoin Ideation
In 2016, Epstein pitched a “radical” plan to a Saudi royal advisor involving the creation of two digital currencies, together with a “sharia” crypto designed for Muslim international locations.
Within the e-mail, he wrote, “I’ve spoken to among the founders of Bitcoin who’re very excited.”
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This was not an remoted remark.
In 2013, he acquired a forwarded briefing analyzing Bitcoin’s viability as a fee system. And in a 2011 message, Epstein referred to as Bitcoin “good,” although he warned of “critical downsides.”
These communications counsel he was intently monitoring crypto’s potential nicely earlier than it entered the mainstream.
He Debated Bitcoin’s Id with Peter Thiel
In a July 2014 trade with billionaire investor Peter Thiel, Epstein engaged in a nuanced dialogue about Bitcoin’s definition. He wrote:
“There may be little settlement on what Bitcoin is… retailer of worth, foreign money, property… like man presenting as girl, smells like property presenting as foreign money.”
Thiel’s earlier message within the chain requested, “Do you assume this is step one in upping the anti-BTC stress?”
The trade exhibits Epstein was fluent within the ideological arguments round Bitcoin’s nature, even drawing analogies to gender identification debates.
However He Rejected Bitcoin as an Funding in 2017
In a quick e-mail dated August 31, 2017, somebody requested Epstein: “Is it value it shopping for a bitcoin?”
Epstein’s one-word reply: “No.”
Regardless of his curiosity in prior years, this implies he remained skeptical of Bitcoin’s worth as an funding at its value peak that 12 months.
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Epstein Was in on Blockstream’s Early Funding Spherical
A 2014 thread reveals Epstein’s involvement within the seed funding of Blockstream, one in every of Bitcoin’s most essential infrastructure corporations.
Co-founder Austin Hill emailed Epstein, Joi Ito (MIT Media Lab), and Dr. Adam Again (a Bitcoin pioneer) to finalize allocations within the oversubscribed $18 million spherical.
Hill wrote, “We’re 10x oversubscribed… bump your allocation from $50k to $500k.” Epstein had earlier confirmed he would make investments by way of Ito’s fund.
That is direct proof that Epstein had cash in a serious Bitcoin firm.
Notably, each Hill and Again have been additionally included in later journey coordination emails to St. Thomas—Epstein’s island hub.
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He Acquired Early Bitcoin Venture Gossip
In a separate 2014 e-mail, Hill warned Epstein, Ito, and Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn co-founder) about rising tensions within the crypto business. He criticized Ripple’s Jed McCaleb for launching Stellar, saying:
“Ripple and Jed’s new Stellar mission is unhealthy for the ecosystem… buyers backing each are harming our firm.”
This exhibits Epstein wasn’t simply investing—he was within the loop on inside rifts in early blockchain circles.
Michael Saylor Named in Epstein Gala E-mail
A 2010 message from society publicist Peggy Siegal mentions Michael Saylor, now generally known as Bitcoin’s most vocal company bull.
She wrote: “Michael Saylor giving $25,000… Saylor is an entire creep. He has no character. Kind of like a zombie on a drug.”
The context was a high-profile gala, with no reference to Bitcoin. However it confirms Saylor was socially linked to Epstein lengthy earlier than crypto turned his public identification.
Kevin Warsh Listed in Epstein’s 2010 Visitor Record
One of many extra politically charged revelations: Trump’s newly nominated Fed Chair Kevin Warsh additionally seems in Epstein’s information.
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His title exhibits up in a 2010 invite listing for a New Yr’s celebration in St. Barts that included Roman Abramovich and Martha Stewart.
Warsh, a former Fed governor, has voiced assist for Bitcoin and CBDC reform. He was nominated by Trump simply at some point earlier than these paperwork have been unsealed. There’s no allegation of misconduct, however the timing has raised eyebrows.
No Proof of Crypto Misuse by Epstein
Importantly, investigators have not discovered any crypto wallets, blockchain transactions, or crypto-enabled crimes in Epstein’s information.
The DOJ confirmed that whereas many particulars within the launch are unverified, there isn’t a recognized indication Epstein used Bitcoin to launder funds or evade scrutiny.
His position in crypto seems restricted to that of a high-level networker, occasional investor, and curious observer.
Key Crypto Figures Linked to Epstein within the Information
| Title | Function in Crypto | Epstein Hyperlink |
| Michael Saylor | MicroStrategy CEO, Bitcoin bull | Attended Epstein-hosted gala in 2010 |
| Peter Thiel | PayPal co-founder, Bitcoin investor | Debated Bitcoin’s that means with Epstein by way of e-mail |
| Adam Again | Blockstream CEO, Bitcoin pioneer | Concerned in e-mail with funding + journey planning |
| Austin Hill | Blockstream co-founder | Coordinated $18M spherical, included Epstein in seed listing |
| Joi Ito | MIT Media Lab ex-director | Channel for Epstein’s Blockstream funding |
| Kevin Warsh | Fed Chair nominee, crypto-friendly voice | Named in Epstein’s 2010 visitor listing |
Tangential, However Actual Crypto Hyperlinks
Epstein wasn’t a secret crypto whale. However the paperwork reveal he was extra embedded in Bitcoin’s early circles than beforehand reported.
He funded infrastructure initiatives, adopted debates, and engaged with folks now thought-about business architects.
Within the crypto house, proximity usually means affect. That makes these revelations all of the extra essential.