The newly unsealed Epstein files, released on January 30, shed light on his surprising proximity to cryptocurrency founders, investors, and projects during the industry’s formative years.
The documents show a mix of investment discussions, philosophical commentary, and contact with prominent 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, including a “sharia” crypto designed for Muslim countries.
In the email, he wrote, “I have spoken to some of the founders of Bitcoin who are very excited.”
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This was not an isolated comment.
In 2013, he received a forwarded briefing analyzing Bitcoin’s viability as a payment system. And in a 2011 message, Epstein called Bitcoin “brilliant,” though he warned of “serious downsides.”
These communications suggest he was closely tracking crypto’s potential well before it entered the mainstream.
He Debated Bitcoin’s Identity with Peter Thiel
In a July 2014 exchange with billionaire investor Peter Thiel, Epstein engaged in a nuanced discussion about Bitcoin’s definition. He wrote:
“There is little agreement on what Bitcoin is… store of value, currency, property… like man presenting as woman, smells like property presenting as currency.”
Thiel’s earlier message in the chain asked, “Do you think this is the first step in upping the anti-BTC pressure?”
The exchange shows Epstein was fluent in the ideological arguments around Bitcoin’s nature, even drawing analogies to gender identity debates.
But He Rejected Bitcoin as an Investment in 2017
In a brief email dated August 31, 2017, someone asked Epstein: “Is it worth it buying a bitcoin?”
Epstein’s one-word reply: “No.”
Despite his curiosity in prior years, this suggests he remained skeptical of Bitcoin’s value as an investment at its price peak that year.
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Epstein Was in on Blockstream’s Early Funding Round
A 2014 thread reveals Epstein’s involvement in the seed funding of Blockstream, one of Bitcoin’s most important infrastructure firms.
Co-founder Austin Hill emailed Epstein, Joi Ito (MIT Media Lab), and Dr. Adam Back (a Bitcoin pioneer) to finalize allocations in the oversubscribed $18 million round.
Hill wrote, “We are 10x oversubscribed… bump your allocation from $50k to $500k.” Epstein had earlier confirmed he would invest through Ito’s fund.
This is direct evidence that Epstein had money in a major Bitcoin company.
Notably, both Hill and Back were also included in later travel coordination emails to St. Thomas—Epstein’s island hub.
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He Received Early Bitcoin Project Gossip
In a separate 2014 email, Hill warned Epstein, Ito, and Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn co-founder) about rising tensions in the crypto industry. He criticized Ripple’s Jed McCaleb for launching Stellar, saying:
“Ripple and Jed’s new Stellar project is bad for the ecosystem… investors backing both are harming our company.”
This shows Epstein wasn’t just investing—he was in the loop on internal rifts in early blockchain circles.
Michael Saylor Named in Epstein Gala Email
A 2010 message from society publicist Peggy Siegal mentions Michael Saylor, now known as Bitcoin’s most vocal corporate bull.
She wrote: “Michael Saylor giving $25,000… Saylor is a complete creep. He has no personality. Sort of like a zombie on a drug.”
The context was a high-profile gala, with no reference to Bitcoin. But it confirms Saylor was socially linked to Epstein long before crypto became his public identity.
Kevin Warsh Listed in Epstein’s 2010 Guest List
One of the more politically charged revelations: Trump’s newly nominated Fed Chair Kevin Warsh also appears in Epstein’s records.
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His name shows up in a 2010 invite list for a New Year’s party in St. Barts that included Roman Abramovich and Martha Stewart.
Warsh, a former Fed governor, has voiced support for Bitcoin and CBDC reform. He was nominated by Trump just one day before these documents were unsealed. There’s no allegation of misconduct, but the timing has raised eyebrows.
No Evidence of Crypto Misuse by Epstein
Importantly, investigators have not found any crypto wallets, blockchain transactions, or crypto-enabled crimes in Epstein’s records.
The DOJ confirmed that while many details in the release are unverified, there is no known indication Epstein used Bitcoin to launder funds or evade scrutiny.
His role in crypto appears limited to that of a high-level networker, occasional investor, and curious observer.
Key Crypto Figures Linked to Epstein in the Files
Tangential, But Real Crypto Links
Epstein wasn’t a secret crypto whale. But the documents reveal he was more embedded in Bitcoin’s early circles than previously reported.
He funded infrastructure projects, followed debates, and engaged with people now considered industry architects.
In the crypto space, proximity often means influence. That makes these revelations all the more important.
