Epstein’s Connections to Bitcoin
The recent release of documents by the Department of Justice has unveiled intriguing details about Jeffrey Epstein’s potential connections to the foundational figures of Bitcoin. According to an email dated October 13, 2016, Epstein reached out to Raafat Alsabbagh and Aziza Alahmadi, proposing the idea of utilizing Bitcoin technology to develop a Sharia-compliant digital currency tailored for the Middle Eastern market.
Within this correspondence, Epstein stated that he had conversed with ‘some of the founders of Bitcoin,’ who expressed enthusiasm for the initiative.
However, this claim remains uncorroborated, as the true identity of Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, has yet to be publicly revealed.
Historical Engagement with Bitcoin
Delving deeper into the archives, earlier DOJ documents trace Epstein’s engagement with Bitcoin-related discussions back to April 2013, when Boris Nikolic forwarded him an analysis from Tren Griffin. This analysis focused on Bitcoin’s potential as a payment method and its interplay with network effects.
In another email from July 31, 2014, Epstein was included in a conversation initiated by Austin Hill, who raised concerns over the launch of a cryptocurrency called Stellar and its ties to another project, Ripple. The email, which also included tech luminaries Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, and Joichi Ito, then-director of MIT Media Lab, highlighted conflicts arising among investors supporting both cryptocurrencies.
Proposals for New Digital Currencies
Epstein’s 2016 email not only proposed a Sharia-compliant currency but also suggested the creation of a separate, additional digital currency. This currency would be designed for internal use among Muslims, aiming to comply with religious standards while functioning similarly to the US dollar.
The recent DOJ document release encompasses a trove of around three million files, providing further insight into Epstein’s network and his entanglement with cryptocurrency discussions. Ongoing investigations by researchers are focused on uncovering more detailed references to his involvement in the cryptocurrency space.
