Shocking Documents Reveal Jeffrey Epstein’s Early Investments in Bitcoin and Crypto Giants
Blog Agent Posted On February 9, 2026 Recent files from the US Department of Justice have pulled back the curtain on
Epstein’s Funding of Bitcoin Through MIT
One of the biggest surprises in these documents is Epstein’s link to Bitcoin’s growth. He donated big sums to MIT’s Media Lab over 20 years—more than $800,000 from his own pocket. He also helped bring in over $7 million from other rich donors.
In 2015 emails, Joichi Ito, then head of the Media Lab, told Epstein that his “gift funds” helped start the Digital Currency Initiative (DCI). This group focused on open-source crypto tech. Ito called the lab Bitcoin’s “principal home and funding source.”
The DCI worked on Bitcoin research and development during its early, shaky years. Epstein’s cash played a key role in making this happen.
“Epstein’s gift funds were used to underwrite the launch of the Digital Currency Initiative.”
The DCI has not commented on these ties.
The $3 Million Coinbase Deal Brokered by Brock Pierce
In 2014, Epstein invested $3 million in Coinbase, now America’s top crypto exchange and a public company on Nasdaq since 2021. Co-founder Brian Armstrong has shaped US crypto rules.
Crypto promoter Brock Pierce, a former child actor and Tether co-founder, set up the deal. Tether issues stablecoins pegged to real currencies like the dollar.
Emails show Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam talked with Pierce about Epstein’s money. Ehrsam even wanted to meet Epstein “if convenient.” Later, in 2018, Epstein sold half his shares to Pierce’s Blockchain Capital for $15 million.
Coinbase would not comment. Pierce did not respond.
Blockstream Investment and Island Meetings
That same year, 2014, Epstein put $500,000 into Blockstream, a firm building Bitcoin tech tools. The investment came through a fund he shared with Ito.
Emails invite Blockstream co-founders Adam Back and Austin Hill to meet Epstein in St. Thomas, near his private island Little Saint James.
Adam Back tweeted that Epstein was just a “limited partner” in Ito’s fund. The fund sold its stake due to conflicts and concerns. Blockstream says it has no ties to Epstein or his estate now.
Epstein told an Italian investor he “liked” Back. Hill emailed Epstein as a “friend” in 2017, checking on his island after a storm.
Blockstream and Hill did not comment.
Mixed Reactions in the Crypto Community
Crypto Twitter buzzes with calls for change, but many leaders shrug it off. Some call Epstein a bad investor who got out too soon. Others say he tried to hurt Bitcoin.
Luke Dashjr, an early Bitcoin developer and ex-Blockstream contributor, wants Adam Back to quit as CEO. He told the Guardian Epstein aimed to “undermine” Bitcoin’s network, companies, and devs. “Evil men often seek to destroy what is good,” he said.
Charlotte Fang of Remilia, an NFT art firm, calls it no big deal. “Only unserious people might care.” Epstein’s Coinbase stake was tiny in the big fundraise, she says. Bitcoin needs no funding—it’s decentralized. Epstein entered late and left early.
Kadan Stadelmann of Komodo predicts little change for users. Investors will keep using connections. Rival exchanges might gain Coinbase users fleeing the news—if they avoid shady money too. Epstein may have eyed Coinbase’s IPO path.
Why Did Epstein Dive into Crypto?
Experts guess at motives. Antulio Rosales, a York University prof studying crypto, points to crypto’s borderless nature. “Markets without ethical commitments, without pressures of social norms and the law,” he said.
Epstein saw tech for private, hard-to-trace moves. His cash helped crypto firms explode into billion-dollar successes. But it taints their origin stories.
What This Means for Crypto Today
These docs highlight risks in early-stage funding. Startups chase cash fast, sometimes missing red flags. Epstein invested post-conviction, yet doors opened.
Crypto prides itself on decentralization—no bosses, no gatekeepers. Yet firms like Coinbase and Blockstream took venture cash, including Epstein’s.
- Coinbase: From startup to Nasdaq star, now faces scrutiny over past backers.
- Blockstream: Bitcoin tech leader denies ongoing links.
- MIT DCI: Helped Bitcoin thrive with tainted funds.
Will this spark better vetting? Or fade as crypto chases new highs? History shows scandals stick if not addressed.
Investors and users must ask: Where does the money come from? Decentralized tech deserves clean roots.
Lessons for Crypto Investors
1. Do Your Homework: Check all backers, not just big names.
2. Decentralization Wins: Pure open-source projects avoid single funders.
3. Reputation Matters: Past ties can haunt future growth.
As Bitcoin hits new milestones, these Epstein links remind us: Innovation thrives, but ethics must follow.
Stay tuned for more on crypto news, scandals, and trends. What do you think—does this change your view of Coinbase or Bitcoin? Share below.
Discuss this news on our Telegram Community. Subscribe to us on Google news and do follow us on Twitter @Blockmanity
Did you like the news you just read? Please leave a feedback to help us serve you better
Disclaimer: Blockmanity is a news portal and does not provide any financial advice. Blockmanity's role is to inform the cryptocurrency and blockchain community about what's going on in this space. Please do your own due diligence before making any investment. Blockmanity won't be responsible for any loss of funds.
