Convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to the crypto world appear broader than previously known, with new evidence showing his involvement in the personal affairs of Tether co-founder Brock Pierce.
Newly surfaced emails from November 2017 reveal Jeffrey Epstein interacting with an individual previously linked to Bitcoin entrepreneur and Tether co-founder Brock Pierce.
The conversations show Epstein emailing the woman, who had declined a marriage proposal from Pierce, telling her it was “time to grow up” and asking about her plans and travel.
In earlier messages, Epstein had referred to the woman as Pierce’s “little” girlfriend and also as his own assistant in emails to Joi Ito, former director of the MIT Media Lab.
In her response, the woman acknowledged Epstein’s message but stressed her focus on maintaining independence amid a tough job market, noting she was looking forward to spending Christmas with her mother.
She also commented on her relationship with Pierce, saying they remained on good terms, but that his married lifestyle was not one she could keep up with, and concluded the email with: “I love you.”
The emails shed light on Epstein’s continued presence in the personal lives of figures in the early cryptocurrency world.
Epstein’s deep involvement in the crypto world: From Coinbase investment to Blockstream ties
On Friday, the Justice Department released more than 3 million pages of documents about Jeffrey Epstein, giving a clearer picture of just how far his reach extended, even into the world of cryptocurrency.
The files show that Epstein had invested in early crypto projects, including Blockstream, founded by Bitcoin veteran Adam Back, and the major U.S. exchange Coinbase.
While these were small stakes, the documents reveal how Epstein maintained connections with key players in the crypto space, highlighting his unusual presence in an industry still in its formative years.
Epstein and Pierce used networks to connect with business and political figures
The recently released documents show that Jeffrey Epstein had a close relationship with Brock Pierce, who would later become a well-known figure in the cryptocurrency world.
The emails show that they used each other’s networks to reach out to business associates, such as Andrew Farkas, and politicians, such as Steve Bannon.
Their interactions began after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex crimes involving minors. The documents also show discussions that treated women transactionally alongside their shared interest in crypto.
For instance, in 2012, Epstein asked Pierce to take photos while traveling in Moscow, Kiev, and Odessa, and Pierce later thanked him for “a great time with the girls.” References to Pierce’s “little” girlfriend appear in emails dating back to 2011.
Epstein and Pierce maintained regular crypto correspondence
Over the years, Jeffrey Epstein and Brock Pierce often exchanged messages about the world of cryptocurrency.
Pierce even excitedly told Epstein when “Bitcoin broke $500,” showing how closely they followed the market. He also updated Epstein on his attempt to acquire the now-defunct exchange Mt. Gox before it collapsed.
In another email, Pierce offered to help Epstein connect with Bitcoin billionaires Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, since Epstein didn’t know them personally.
Epstein wanted someone to reach out and get a sense of what the twins were doing in crypto.
As new details continue to emerge, the crypto world is closely watching billionaires whose connections to the sex crime scandal could further impact the industry.