The newly unsealed Epstein files, released on January 30, shed light on his surprising proximity to cryptocurrency founders, investors, and projects during the industry's formative years.
The documents show a mix of investment discussions, philosophical commentary, and contact with prominent figures in Bitcoin’s rise.
A “Sharia Coin” For Saudi Arabia and $BTC Bitcoin Ideation
In 2016, Epstein pitched a “radical” plan to a Saudi royal advisor involving the creation of two digital currencies, including a “sharia” crypto designed for Muslim countries.
In the email, he wrote, “I have spoken to some of the founders of Bitcoin who are very excited.”
This was not an isolated comment.
In 2013, he received a forwarded briefing analyzing Bitcoin’s viability as a payment system. And in a 2011 message, Epstein called Bitcoin “brilliant,” though he warned of “serious downsides.”
These communications suggest he was closely tracking crypto’s potential well before it entered the mainstream.
He Debated Bitcoin's Identity with Peter Thiel
In a July 2014 exchange with billionaire investor Peter Thiel, Epstein engaged in a nuanced discussion about Bitcoin's definition. He wrote:
“There is little agreement on what $BTC
BTCUSDTPerp.69,368.7-0.43%Bitcoin is... store of value, currency, property… like man presenting as woman, smells like property presenting as currency.”
Thiel’s earlier message in the chain asked, “Do you think this is the first step in upping the anti-BTC pressure?”
The exchange shows Epstein was fluent in the ideological arguments around Bitcoin's nature, even drawing analogies to gender identity debates.