Recent attention has centered on the release of more than three million pages of investigatory records from the U.S. Department of Justice, which detail associations between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and early figures in the cryptocurrency industry. This report provides a straightforward identification of the individuals and entities connected to bitcoin, blockchain and cryptocurrency that appear in the newly disclosed documents.
Brock Pierce
Brock Pierce, a former child actor turned longtime cryptocurrency entrepreneur who co-founded Tether and Blockchain Capital, appears in 1,794 entries. Emails indicate Pierce offered Epstein allocation in a funding round and arranged introductions to Coinbase leadership. Records show he remained in contact with Epstein through at least 2018.
Fred Ehrsam
Fred Ehrsam co-founded Coinbase. Pierce attempted to coordinate with Ehrsam regarding Epstein's proposed investment. No direct correspondence between Ehrsam and Epstein were found, but the Coinbase investment was executed through a Virgin Islands entity. Ehrsam appears 14 times.
Coinbase
Coinbase, the largest U.S. exchange, appears 265 times. Files indicate Epstein invested $3 million in Coinbase's 2014 Series C round, divesting at least half by 2018.
Brian Armstrong
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong appears 17 times. An email from Armstrong to investors in February 2016 was included because Epstein received forwarded updates.
Jeremy Rubin
Bitcoin developer and MIT DCI contributor Jeremy Rubin corresponded with Epstein for years, acting as intermediary for crypto projects seeking funding. He pitched Epstein on Layer 1 and other ventures. Rubin appears 726 times.
Joi Ito
Former MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito appears 8,101 times. Epstein donated over $800,000 to MIT, part of which supported the Digital Currency Initiative. Ito also partnered with Epstein to invest in Blockstream. He resigned after his relationship became public.
Adam Back, Austin Hill, and Blockstream
Blockstream co-founders Adam Back and Austin Hill. Ito arranged a $500,000 early investment in Blockstream for Epstein. Hill exchanged correspondence with Epstein. Blockstream appears 44 times, Hill 530, Back 19.
Brad Stephens
Blockchain Capital managing partner Brad Stephens appears six times, involved in wire instructions for Epstein's Coinbase investment.
Michael Saylor
MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor appears ten times through a publicist's email mentioning him after a gala. No direct correspondence with Epstein.
Vitalik Buterin
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin appears five times indirectly, in an email praising another developer as “better than Vitalik.”
Jason Calacanis
Angel investor Jason Calacanis appears 51 times. In 2011, Epstein asked Calacanis to connect him with “the bitcoin guys.” Calacanis offered to introduce Gavin Andresen and Amir Taaki.
Gavin Andresen
Former lead bitcoin developer Gavin Andresen appears 31 times. He declined a meeting with Epstein arranged by literary agent John Brockman in 2011.
Bryan Bishop
Bitcoin developer Bryan Bishop appears 66 times. In 2018 he emailed Epstein seeking investment in a genetic-engineering project, introduced by Austin Hill and vouched by Rubin.
Bitmain
ASIC manufacturer Bitmain appears 54 times. A $3 million investment was proposed to Epstein in 2018, but no evidence it was completed.
Ripple
Ripple appears 172 times. A 2013 proposal had Epstein's Southern Trust Company serving as a gateway for Ripple in the Caribbean. Epstein expressed interest in using XRP for international transfers with reduced friction. The partnership did not fully materialize.
Stellar
Stellar appears a few hundred times (some results refer to an unrelated cosmetics company). In 2014, Epstein advised on backing Stellar over Ripple, calling Stellar's nonprofit structure “better for optics.”
Gratitude America Ltd.
Epstein's charitable front Gratitude America appears 2,929 times, used to make quarterly payments to bitcoin developers, including checks to Rubin in 2016.
Jed McCaleb
Ripple co-founder and Stellar creator Jed McCaleb appears twice. Joi Ito introduced him to Epstein in 2014, and Epstein sought to act as strategic adviser during McCaleb's transition to Stellar.
Madars Virza
Zcash co-founder Madars Virza appears 126 times. Emails from 2015-2016 show he sent Epstein tax documentation for Zcash income and a gift package of bitcoin books.
Mounting Scrutiny Over Crypto Links
The Epstein files indicate Jeffrey Epstein sought to insert himself into emerging cryptocurrency networks through investments, donations and strategic introductions. Bitcoin is referenced in more than 1,500 entries, blockchain 624 times, and cryptocurrency in 301 files. Inclusion in the records does not necessarily establish wrongdoing, as many names appear due to forwarded emails, indirect references, or unconsummated discussions.
FAQ: Which crypto companies are mentioned? Coinbase, Ripple, Stellar, Blockstream, Bitmain. Did Epstein invest? He reportedly invested $3 million in Coinbase. How many bitcoin references? Over 1,500. Do files confirm wrongdoing? They list associations but do not alone establish criminal conduct.