Jeffrey Epstein’s Crypto Connections Made Public
The release of new documents by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has brought unexpected revelations about Jeffrey Epstein’s interactions with prominent tech and cryptocurrency figures. These files, unveiled under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, reveal email communications that highlight Epstein’s interest in the emerging crypto industry and his discussions with various tech innovators.
Epstein’s Talks with Blockstream and Tech Giants
According to the reports, Jeffrey Epstein was in contact with Blockstream co-founders during their 2014 seed funding stage. Specifically, emails outline discussions between Austin Hill (co-founder), Joi Ito (former MIT Media Lab director), and Epstein about investment allocations. Notably, Epstein’s proposed allocation increased significantly from $50,000 to $500,000, raising questions about his interests in the company’s objectives.
Blockstream CEO Adam Back has responded to the latest revelations, emphasizing that the company has no direct or indirect financial ties to Epstein or his estate. Despite Epstein being introduced as a limited partner in a fund tied to Joi Ito, Back clarified that Blockstream’s partnership with Ito’s fund was unrelated to Epstein’s involvement.
Crypto Discussions and ‘Sharia Currency’ Plans
The revelations also reveal Epstein’s email exchanges with Peter Thiel and discussions about Bitcoin’s use cases. In one email, Epstein questioned Bitcoin’s purpose and highlighted its conflicting themes of transparency and anonymity. Notably, in 2016, Epstein also pitched an idea for a sharia-compliant digital currency. The plan outlined both a fiat currency called “The Sharia” and a Bitcoin-based counterpart aiming to revolutionize regional currency and Islamic financial systems.
Travel Links to St. Thomas
Among the DOJ’s disclosed information are emails that detail Epstein’s travel arrangements with Blockstream personnel. A 2014 email mentions a planned trip to St. Thomas, an area in close proximity to Epstein’s private island. While Adam Back denied financial connections, the inclusion of his name in travel emails from the DOJ’s records escalated concerns.
Email History: Warnings Against Ripple and Stellar
The DOJ’s unsealed documents also unveiled additional email exchanges where Austin Hill advised against investing in Ripple and Stellar, suggesting these projects were antagonistic to the ecosystem and Blockstream’s vision. This reflects deeper debates about conflicting ideologies in the cryptocurrency world during that time.
The Bottom Line
This newly surfaced information gives an unexpected peek into Jeffrey Epstein’s surprising role in tech and cryptocurrency-related discussions. While Blockstream’s leaders assert no financial entanglements with Epstein, his persistent pursuit of crypto-led opportunities illustrates how prominent public figures have quietly influenced this dynamic industry.
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