Newly uncovered emails from Jeffrey Epstein indicate that he claimed to have engaged in discussions with some of the original creators of Bitcoin. This revelation emerged from a 2016 email found in the extensive release of documents by the Department of Justice, which consists of around 3 million files. In this email, Epstein reached out to two contacts in Saudi Arabia from his Gmail account, presenting a vision for a comprehensive currency system in the Middle East that included both a religious and a digital component.
Epstein articulated his plan for a Sharia-compliant currency, proposing a physical version that would bear the phrase “In God We Trust,” similar to U.S. dollars, but tailored for Islamic finance. He also suggested a digital counterpart, which would be connected to the Bitcoin network. Epstein noted that the individuals behind Bitcoin were “very excited” about his proposal and he was awaiting a response from his Saudi associates regarding potential meeting dates.
In his email dated October 13, 2016, Epstein described his ideas as “radical.” The first currency, dubbed “the Sharia,” was intended for internal transactions among Muslims within the region. The second aspect involved leveraging blockchain technology to create a digital currency that adhered to Sharia principles. Epstein”s communication contained a confidentiality notice, emphasizing that the information was privileged and not to be disseminated. However, the email has now entered the public domain through the DOJ document release.
This correspondence lends credence to the ongoing speculation within the crypto community regarding the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, with Epstein”s reference to “founders” suggesting more than one individual was involved in the creation of Bitcoin. This aligns with long-standing theories that the project was a collaborative effort rather than a singular endeavor.
Additionally, a 2013 email from Boris Nikolic to Epstein included a detailed analysis of Bitcoin, noting its rising popularity in Silicon Valley, particularly among libertarian venture capitalists. The message criticized the asset”s lack of intrinsic value, asserting that it had no claim to future earnings. Nikolic described the phenomenon as a “Keynesian beauty contest,” where the focus is on speculation rather than actual value.
Further emails, including one from Austin Hill in 2014, highlighted tensions within the crypto space, as Hill expressed frustrations over conflicting investments in Ripple and Stellar, suggesting that it was detrimental to their project. The documents also contained insights from prominent figures such as the Winklevoss twins and economist Steve Hanke, who offered varying perspectives on Bitcoin ranging from it being a speculative bubble to a revolutionary form of money.
Recent discussions have reignited debates around the influence Epstein may have had in the cryptocurrency space, particularly as some users on social media allege connections between Epstein and significant figures in the financial sector, implying he played a role in the strategic positioning of Bitcoin amidst regulatory scrutiny.
