As crypto markets remain under strain, social media attention has largely fixated on a sweeping release of more than 3 million pages of documents, images, videos and other materials tied to investigations of the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, made public by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), with many of the records referencing digital currencies and bitcoin.

One specific thread dating back to 2014 focuses on the Bitcoin infrastructure firm Blockstream and the company’s co-founder, Austin Hill, who served as CEO at the time, a role now held by Adam Back. The emails detail Blockstream’s seed-round investor roadshow and note that, at the time, the company was introduced to then–MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito.

At the time, Epstein was an investor or partner in Ito’s fund, Blockstream met with him during that period, and Ito’s fund went on to invest in the Bitcoin infrastructure company. In the DOJ’s recently released Epstein files, Blockstream appears in 45 separate entries. Following the latest Epstein file release, Blockstream’s current CEO, Adam Back, took to social media to address the 2014 email thread.

“In 2014, during Blockstream’s seed-round investor roadshow, the company was introduced to then MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito,” Back wrote. “Subsequently Blockstream met with Jeffrey Epstein, who was described at the time as a limited partner in Ito’s fund. That fund later invested a minority stake in Blockstream.”

Back added:

“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.”

Back’s post on X drew a wave of criticism, with many detractors branding the episode as questionable. “Sus af,” one person wrote to Back, while another remarked, “Funny how people only release statements once files get leaked.”

Others questioned the timing and due diligence as Epstein was arrested in 2006 by Palm Beach Police on state felony charges of procuring a minor for prostitution and solicitation and pleaded guilty in 2008. One person stated:

“Why would Blockstream meet with Epstein in 2014 when he was arrested in 2008?”

The Epstein files delve deeply into the world of bitcoin and digital assets, and the community is also dissecting discussions tied to Stellar and Ripple Labs founders that include Austin Hill, with Reid Hoffman cc’d on the email thread.

Also read: Epstein’s Bitcoin Footprint Resurfaces as 20,000-Document Dump Sparks New Scrutiny

Separate Epstein communications in the files include claims of conversations with a “ Bitcoin founder” (possibly alluding to candidates tied to Satoshi Nakamoto), exchanges debating Bitcoin’s identity with Peter Thiel, and brainstorming around Bitcoin-adjacent ideas, such as a proposed “Sharia Coin” for Saudi Arabia.

• What are the Epstein files and why are they relevant to bitcoin?
  The newly released DOJ Epstein records reference digital currencies, bitcoin-related discussions, and meetings involving early crypto figures and firms.
• Why does Blockstream appear in the Epstein files?
  Blockstream is mentioned in connection with a 2014 seed-round investor roadshow and meetings involving a fund linked to Epstein and former MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito.
• Did Jeffrey Epstein invest directly in Blockstream?
  According to Blockstream CEO Adam Back, the company has no direct or indirect financial connection to Epstein or his estate.
• Why is the crypto community revisiting this now?
  The file release has prompted renewed scrutiny of early bitcoin-era relationships, emails, and investor introductions.

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