The release of millions of pages from the U.S. Department of Justice concerning Jeffrey Epstein has ignited a flurry of interest within the cryptocurrency community, particularly regarding Ripple and XRP. This renewed scrutiny has led to discussions about the potential early involvement of influential figures in these projects, though opinions vary widely among community members.
One notable document dated July 1, 2014, contains a claim from an informant who mentioned that Jed McCaleb was engaged in a “secret Bitcoin project” after departing from Mt. Gox. This statement has caused considerable excitement among XRP advocates, who interpret it as evidence of Epstein”s awareness and possible monitoring of Ripple during its formative years. However, critics argue that the timing aligns more closely with the launch of Stellar, another project McCaleb co-founded after leaving Ripple. This suggests that the “secret Bitcoin project” may not pertain to XRP at all.
Another document that captured attention was a 2014 email from Austin Hill, co-founder of Blockstream, addressed to Epstein and other notable figures. In this email, Hill expressed concern that Ripple and Stellar posed threats to the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem. He advocated for reducing or halting funding for these initiatives, framing support for both Ripple and Bitcoin projects as backing “two horses in the same race.” While this email does not provide concrete evidence of clandestine control or arrangements, it underscores the competitive landscape of the crypto industry at that time.
Responses from key figures within Ripple have emphasized the importance of unity in the cryptocurrency space. David Schwartz, Ripple”s CTO Emeritus, cautioned against perceiving XRP and XLM supporters as adversaries, arguing that such a perspective could harm the industry as a whole. He noted that the documents do not establish any direct connections between Epstein and Ripple or XRP, as there are no recorded meetings or agreements evident in the files.
The Epstein files serve as a reminder of how the early days of cryptocurrency drew attention from various parties and how entrenched rivalries have shaped perceptions and investor behavior in the market. While the documents may indicate interest and debate, they do not substantiate claims of secretive manipulation behind the creation of XRP. Instead, they highlight the ongoing legacy of historical tensions that continue to influence discussions about Ripple and its digital asset in the present day.
