The recently released Epstein files show his early involvement in crypto, including investments in Coinbase and Bitcoin firm Blockstream, and a close relationship with Brock Pierce. Emails also reveal Epstein’s interest in Bitcoin regulation and taxes, and his communication with Pierce about cryptocurrency and women.
Epstein was an early investor in Coinbase, putting $3 million in 2014. He sold half of his investment back to Blockchain Capital in 2018. Coinbase’s value has soared from $400 million to $44 billion since then. Epstein also invested in Bitcoin infrastructure firm Blockstream.
Epstein discussed Bitcoin at his Manhattan townhouse with Brock Pierce and Larry Summers. Summers expressed concern about Bitcoin losses affecting his reputation. Emails also show Epstein questioning Bitcoin’s narrative with famed tech investor Peter Thiel in 2014 when Bitcoin was trading at $691 per coin.
Pierce communicated with Epstein about cryptocurrency and women, and Epstein meddled in Pierce’s alleged relationships. Epstein also invited Blockstream co-founders to his island in 2014, confirming his investment in the firm. However, Blockstream currently has no financial connection with Epstein’s estate. Bitcoin’s price has fluctuated, currently trading around $70,000 after peaking above $126,000 last October. Michael Saylor, Strategy Executive Chairman, was called a “creep” by Epstein’s publicist Peggy Siegal in a 2010 email to Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Siegal described Saylor as having no personality, like a zombie on a drug.
Bitcoin Giant Strategy recorded a $12.4 billion Q4 loss, causing MSTR shares to hit an 18-month low. Despite Saylor providing $25,000 for a spring gala more than a decade ago, his software firm later amassed nearly $50 billion worth of BTC, leading others to adopt a crypto treasury model.
Epstein, despite his 2008 conviction, expressed concerns about the ethics of funding crypto projects. Referring to investors in the space, Epstein stated, “Their deal is to pump the currency. It is dangerous.” He emphasized the importance of avoiding questionable ethics in crypto funding.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s name appears in the Epstein files, but not due to direct connections. Emails show Russian investor Masha Drokova highlighting a promising blockchain enthusiast in Russia, suggesting they could surpass Buterin’s achievements. It remains unclear if this individual was connected to Epstein.
Read more at Yahoo Finance: The Most Surprising Bitcoin and Crypto Stories in the Epstein Files