The Bitcoin Epstein files: is this why crypto really crashes?

A new tranche of heavily redacted files from Jeffrey Epstein has reopened an uncomfortable chapter in crypto history.

Emails attributed to Epstein claim he discussed Sharia-compliant digital currencies with anonymous Bitcoin founders in 2016, who he claimed were “very excited.” The claim is self-reported and not verified.

Yet Epstein’s personal diaries list “satoshi (bitcoin)” as a guest at a UN Climate Week event, alongside heavyweights like Larry Summers and Peter Thiel.

The timing is terrifying:

• Reportedly, 74.79% of Bitcoin’s development and code base was committed after Jeffrey Epstein assumed the de facto leadership role as benefactor.
• Later that year, he donated to MIT staff who knew it was dirty money. They hid his name from the papers and referred to him internally as “Voldemort”.
• With Larry Summers: Epstein discussed the future of Bitcoin at his Manhattan mansion.
• With Brock Pierce: hosting the co-founder of Tether for private strategy sessions.

At least three of Bitcoin’s five core developers were in contact with Epstein since at least 2015. Here’s who else could be corrupted into crypto:

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Epstein and Coinbase? The COIN investment that refuses to stay buried

Records show that Epstein invested Blockstream with around $500,000 in 2014 through MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito and later funded the development of Bitcoin Core during a funding crisis that same year, including support for Gavin Andresen.

But he is also responsible for supporting Coinbase in its early days.

BREAKING: Jeffrey Epstein invested $3 million in Coinbase in 2014 at a valuation of $400 million, emails show. Fred Ehrsam was aware and the deal was made by Brock Pierce and Blockchain Capital. pic.twitter.com/H33bTJlVjw

– SwanDesk (@SwanDesk) February 2, 2026

The emails show that Epstein invested $3 million in Coinbase’s Series C round in December 2014 at a valuation of $400 million, through IGO Company LLC. The same documents indicate that Fred Ehrsam knew the investment was being made in Epstein’s name.

“I have a gap between noon and 3 p.m. today… it would be nice to meet him if that’s okay with me.” – Fred Ehrsam, co-founder of Coinbase, email released by DOJ

That $3 million stake would be worth orders of magnitude more today. Coinbase now has a market capitalization close to $51 billion.

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Epstein and Michael Saylor? Peripheral but documented link

Separate emails reference Michael Saylor, detailing a $25,000 charitable donation that placed him in Epstein’s social orbit.

The correspondence highlights how Epstein functioned less as an investor and more as a connection hub, exploiting money and access to businesses, universities and government. There is no evidence that Saylor invested alongside Epstein or coordinated any crypto activity with him.

Michael Saylor was grilled by Epstein’s publicist, Peggy Siegel, who basically said

“He’s so scary I don’t even know if I can take his money, I don’t even know how to blackmail him, he has no personality and doesn’t understand social behavior.”

Michael Saylor was saved by his… pic.twitter.com/kE535vpkxW

— Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) January 31, 2026

Bitcoin hit $78,000 in February 2026 and retail interest died. No new buyers, no momentum, just institutional money with $1.7 billion invested in US ETFs while 106 million people around the world hold BTC.

We realize that institutions take charge while retail doesn’t care. History suggests that this changes when necessity comes into play, not enthusiasm.

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What to watch next

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It is important to note that the documents are important for transparency and not for price discovery. Who is corrupt? Who isn’t?

Watch for additional unredacted releases clarifying the extent of early funding relationships. And on how exchanges manage historical disclosures amid stricter compliance regimes.

Early crypto capital came from everywhere, and sunlight, however late, is still needed.

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