Cryptocurrency Leaders Respond to Mentions in Recent Epstein Document Dump
Senior cryptocurrency industry leaders and connected individuals are clarifying the extent of their associations with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Among numerous globally influential and wealthy individuals, several leading figures within the cryptocurrency sector are now clarifying their associations, regardless of how minimal, with deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
On Saturday, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) made public millions of previously unreleased documents, within which the names of various well-known cryptocurrency personalities appeared.
These associations range from brief references to potential financial investments and professional relationships with the discredited former financial advisor who was discovered deceased in his jail cell during August 2019.
As public interest intensifies regarding the documents' revelations and demands emerge for legal action, those whose names appear in the files have started publicly clarifying their connections to Epstein, attempting to separate themselves from him. Some individuals have yet to issue public commentary.
Appearing in the documents does not suggest culpability or criminal behavior.
Peter Thiel
PayPal payments platform co-founder Peter Thiel, who is also a significant cryptocurrency investor, authored an opinion piece for the Financial Times during 2025, asserting that US President Donald Trump's second presidential term would bring transparency to the Epstein documents.
Using the Greek word "apokalypsis," which translates to "to bring into the light," Thiel expressed that the majority of Americans "mistrusted the official story that he died by suicide." He contended that the Distributed Idea Suppression Complex (DICS), a conspiratorial phrase created by Eric Weinstein, who serves as managing director of Thiel Capital, "had lost total control of the narrative."
Thiel maintained substantial email correspondence with Epstein, exchanging views on international politics and Thiel's legal battle with Gawker while arranging face-to-face meetings. Epstein contributed $40 million to Thiel's Valar Ventures and even extended an invitation for him to travel to his infamous Caribbean island.
Notwithstanding this prolonged communication exchange, representatives for Thiel have informed The New York Times that he never traveled to Epstein's island property.
Adam Back, Austin Hill and Joi Ito
During the course of the transaction, Epstein exchanged communications with co-founders Austin Hill and Adam Back. Based on documentation published by the DOJ, Epstein's personal contribution of $50,000 to Blockstream was executed through MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito's investment fund.
Back affirmed that the association started and concluded with the financial investment. In a post on X, he stated, "A few months later, Ito's fund divested its Blockstream shares due to a potential conflict of interest, and other concerns. Blockstream has no direct nor indirect financial connection with Jeffrey Epstein, or his estate."
During 2015, Hill was pursuing introductions to other powerful figures within Epstein's network, including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and British private equity leader Blythe Masters.
Elon Musk
Following a period of collaboration with the Trump administration focused on reducing government expenditures, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk advocated for the government to make public the Epstein documents. In an X post that was subsequently removed, Musk stated:
As late as Sunday, Musk declared that "there need to be prosecutions" of Epstein clients.
Musk engaged in substantial email exchanges with Epstein, which even included discussions about having Musk's SolarCity company provide solar electrification to Epstein's Caribbean island property.
Additional emails point to social relationships. At the conclusion of 2012, Musk stated, "Do you have any parties planned? I've been working to the edge of sanity this year and so, once my kids head home after Christmas, I really want to hit the party scene in St Barts or elsewhere and let loose. The invitation is much appreciated, but a peaceful island experience is the opposite of what I'm looking for."
Epstein replied, "Understood, I will see you on st Barth, the ratio on my island might make Talilah [Musk's ex-wife] uncomfortable."
"Ratio is not a problem for Talulah," Musk responded.
Based on email records, the planned visit did not materialize. Musk stated on Jan. 2, 2013, "Logistics won't work this time around."
In September 2013, Epstein inquired whether Musk had any schedules for the UN opening in New York. Musk replied, indicating that he was too occupied managing SpaceX and Tesla. "Flying to NY to see UN diplomats do nothing would be an unwise use of time."
Epstein wrote back, "Do you think i am retarded, . ? just kidding, there is no one over 25 and all very cute."
Musk clarified on X Monday that he had never attended an Epstein party, nor visited his island or the notorious "Lolita Express" aircraft.
Bryan Johnson
Billionaire and longevity advocate Bryan Johnson was additionally referenced in the Epstein documentation. While correspondence is confined to arranging a phone call between Epstein and Johnson, the specifics of which were outlined in an X post:
Howard Lutnick
Howard Lutnick, serving as US secretary of commerce within the Trump administration, additionally traveled to Epstein's island accompanied by his wife and children during December 2012. Based on an email exchange with Allison Lutnick, the commerce secretary's spouse, the family encountered Epstein while vacationing on their personal yacht from Caneel Bay.
Based on a 2011 calendar entry, the two individuals also convened for beverages in May 2011.
Lutnick has reportedly undertaken efforts to minimize any involvement he maintained with Epstein. Based on CNBC reporting, Lutnick stated he severed connections with Epstein many years ago and described him as "gross."
Brock Pierce
Cryptocurrency investor and Tether co-founder Brock Pierce communicated on multiple occasions with Epstein concerning cryptocurrency matters.
In 2011, the two individuals scheduled a meeting in New York, and additional emails pertaining to arranging phone calls and Google Meets were documented in the DOJ database.
During 2015, Pierce transmitted an email to Epstein outlining investment possibilities in US-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase and addressing Epstein's financial stake in Blockstream. Additional emails exchanged between Pierce and Epstein's accountant, Richard Khan, indicate that the former was facilitating a transaction for a Coinbase investment.
Within a substantially redacted screenshot of a WhatsApp group dating from May 2018, an image of Pierce is displayed. One chat member, presumably Epstein, recognized that Pierce taught him "all about crypto."
Pierce did not provide an immediate response to Cointelegraph's comment request.
Michael Saylor
Strategy chair Michael Saylor is featured in the Epstein documents via third-party email exchanges. The files do not reveal any direct email communications between Saylor and Epstein but rather mention him in correspondence shared between Epstein and New York-based publicist Peggy Siegal.
She characterized Saylor as "a nice guy who just wants to upgrade his social life" during March 2010. She additionally referenced Saylor's vessel, a "160 foot Fed ship."
Several months afterward, Siegal described a dinner gathering at which Saylor was in attendance. She stated he was "sort of like a zombie on a drug. We had smart directors sitting next to him and his idiot gorgeous date and could not get any conversation out of him except 'I have a yacht I am taking to Cannes.'"
An earlier message from James Coleman of Hanley Advisors, who was also included in the email thread, proposed that Saylor "is a typical computer guy who is trying to break out into social acceptance?? Think he has been taking wrong route from what I can tell and thrown slot of money and attracting mostly the wrong crowd."
"I think David Reuben might be a better boat owner (242)...he seems like a more stable new friend."
Saylor did not provide an immediate response to Cointelegraph's comment request.
Millions of files released, but prosecution unlikely
The DOJ made public millions of records in what it asserts is a fulfillment of its public obligations concerning the case. Beyond the individuals identified above are considerably more incriminating materials that involve even a British royal family member.
Survivors of Epstein's sex trafficking operations have condemned the way in which the Trump administration has disclosed the documents. The identities of potential perpetrators are extensively redacted, whereas the identities of victims remain unprotected.
Victims' legal representative Brad Edwards stated, "We are getting constant calls from victims because their names - despite them never coming forward, being completely unknown to the public - have all just been released for public consumption."
Another legal advocate for victims, Jennifer Freeman, expressed that the "handling of the Epstein files has been a mess from the start, filled with [...] ham-fisted redactions, while exposing the identities of survivors."
The DOJ indicated that it is not prepared to initiate prosecutions based on the recently disclosed material.