Epstein files exposed: invested in Blockstream and had close ties with the early Bitcoin community

The Epstein files unsealed on January 30 show that he had connections with several key figures in the cryptocurrency industry during its formative period. Emails from 2014 confirm that he participated in the oversubscribed $18 million seed round financing of the Bitcoin infrastructure company Blockstream, increasing his personal investment from $50,000 to $500,000 through the Joi Ito fund of the MIT Media Lab. Co-founders Austin Hill and Bitcoin pioneer Adam Back were both involved in the email correspondence.

The documents also reveal that in 2014 he discussed the definition of Bitcoin with Peter Thiel; in 2016 he proposed creating an Islamic cryptocurrency to a Saudi royal advisor; in 2011 he stated that Bitcoin was smart but had serious flaws; and in 2017 he explicitly replied that it was not worth buying Bitcoin. Additionally, the names of MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor and Trump's newly nominated Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh also appeared on the guest list for the 2010 St. Barts New Year's party.

The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that the investigation found no evidence of Epstein using cryptocurrency for money laundering or evading regulation; his role was limited to high-level networking, occasional investments, and being an observer.