In a startling revelation, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein claimed to have engaged in discussions with individuals he identified as “some of the founders of Bitcoin.” This assertion emerged from a 2016 email recently uncovered within a massive 3 million-file release by the Department of Justice.
Sent to two Saudi contacts from his personal Gmail account, Epstein”s email outlined his ambitious vision for a Middle Eastern fiat currency system that would include both a traditional and a digital variant. He aimed to create a Sharia-compliant currency, with one version being a physical note stamped with “In God We Trust,” and the digital counterpart linked to the Bitcoin network.
In the email dated October 13, 2016, Epstein described his proposals as “radical” and expressed enthusiasm about the potential for collaboration. He mentioned that the Bitcoin founders he communicated with were “very excited” about his plans. However, he noted that he was still awaiting a response regarding potential dates for further discussions from his Saudi contacts.
The implications of Epstein”s claims are significant, particularly as he referred to “founders,” suggesting a collective involvement in the creation of Bitcoin. This notion supports theories circulating within the Bitcoin community for years, which propose that the cryptocurrency”s inception was not the work of a single individual.
Moreover, the email cache contains additional correspondence linking Epstein to early investors in the cryptocurrency space. For instance, a 2013 email from Boris Nikolic included a detailed analysis of Bitcoin from Tren Griffin, which had also been sent to notable figures such as Bill Gates and Michael Larson. The analysis highlighted Bitcoin”s rising popularity, particularly among libertarian venture capitalists, while cautioning against its intrinsic value.
Another intriguing email from 2014 revealed tensions behind the scenes as Austin Hill expressed frustration about investors supporting both Ripple and Stellar, which he believed could undermine their own project”s viability. Hill”s message underscored the competitive landscape of early cryptocurrency investments.
This trove of emails also featured opinions from the Winklevoss twins and economist Steve Hanke, discussing various aspects of Bitcoin, from its potential as a speculative bubble to its mathematical foundation that eliminates human error in financial transactions.
As the cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve, the connections between Epstein and the early days of Bitcoin raise questions about the influence and motivations behind some of the most significant developments in the space.
