Alongside many of the world’s rich and powerful, several prominent figures in the crypto industry are explaining — often tenuous — links to the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released millions of new files. The documents show varying degrees of contact, from passing mentions to possible investments and business ties. Inclusion in the files does not imply guilt or wrongdoing. Some named individuals have publicly addressed their connections; others have not.
Peter Thiel
Peter Thiel, PayPal co-founder and major crypto investor, wrote an op‑ed in 2025 saying the second Trump term would shed light on the Epstein files. The DOJ files show extensive correspondence between Thiel and Epstein discussing world politics, Thiel’s lawsuit with Gawker and planning meetups. Epstein invested about $40 million in Thiel’s Valar Ventures and invited Thiel to visit his Caribbean island. Thiel’s representatives have said he never visited the island.
Adam Back, Austin Hill and Joi Ito
Epstein participated in Blockstream’s $18 million oversubscribed 2014 seed round. Documents show Epstein corresponded with Blockstream co‑founders Austin Hill and Adam Back. Epstein’s $50,000 investment in Blockstream was reportedly made through a fund linked to MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito. Back says the relationship began and ended with the investment; Ito’s fund later divested its Blockstream shares citing conflicts and other concerns. In 2015, Hill sought introductions within Epstein’s network, including to Bill Gates and Blythe Masters.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk called for the release of the Epstein files and has said there “need to be prosecutions” of Epstein clients. The DOJ documents include extensive correspondence between Musk and Epstein, including mentions of having Musk’s SolarCity electrify Epstein’s Caribbean island and social emails about parties. Musk and Epstein exchanged messages in late 2012 about island parties; plans did not materialize. Musk has said he never attended an Epstein party, nor been on the island or Epstein’s plane.
Bryan Johnson
Billionaire Bryan Johnson appears in the files in limited correspondence: an exchange arranging a call between Epstein and Johnson. Johnson has described the interaction in a social post but the documents show only scheduling details.
Howard Lutnick
Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and his family visited Epstein’s island in December 2012, according to an email indicating the family met Epstein while on vacation. Records also show Lutnick and Epstein met for drinks in May 2011. Lutnick has said he cut off ties with Epstein decades ago and called him “gross.”
Brock Pierce
Investor and Tether co‑founder Brock Pierce corresponded with Epstein on cryptocurrency matters. The files show a 2011 meeting in New York and later emails about scheduling calls. In 2015 Pierce emailed about investment opportunities in Coinbase and discussed Epstein’s Blockstream investment; other documents suggest he was brokering a potential Coinbase investment. A redacted 2018 WhatsApp screenshot includes a photo of Pierce and a comment attributed to Epstein saying Pierce taught him “all about crypto.” Pierce did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Michael Saylor
Michael Saylor appears indirectly in the files through third‑party emails from publicist Peggy Siegal. Siegal described Saylor in 2010 as “a nice guy who just wants to upgrade his social life” and later recounted a dinner where she said he was unengaging. An associate’s email described Saylor as “a typical computer guy” trying to break into social circles and attracting the “wrong crowd.” The documents do not show direct communications between Saylor and Epstein.
Millions of files released, but prosecution unlikely
The DOJ’s public release includes millions of records and names spanning business, political and social elites. Survivors criticized how the material was released: many names of alleged wrongdoers are heavily redacted while the identities of survivors were exposed. Victims’ attorneys said survivors are receiving calls because their names, previously unknown to the public, were published. The DOJ signaled it is not prepared to pursue prosecutions based on the newly released material.
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