U.S. Department of Justice Releases Epstein Files, Revealing Network of 9 Crypto Industry Big Shots. Includes Peter Thiel, Musk, and Tether Founder, involving investments, power supply systems, and social interactions. Most parties clarify no illegal activities involved.
List of Crypto Figures Mentioned in Epstein Files
Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released millions of new files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, featuring names of several well-known figures in the cryptocurrency field.
As speculation about the contents of the files heats up, some senior executives in the crypto industry are stepping forward to explain their business relationships with Epstein, although some connections are quite tenuous.
Below is a summary compiled by external media Cointelegraph, providing information on crypto-related individuals mentioned in Epstein files. Note that appearing in the files does not imply involvement in any illegal activities or crimes.
Peter Thiel
Image source: commons.wikimedia, Gage Skidmore photo Peter Thiel at the 2022 Converge Tech Summit and Phoenix Open, talking with attendees.
Peter Thiel is the co-founder of the global payments giant PayPal and a well-known crypto investor. The files show Thiel had extensive email exchanges with Epstein, covering global political issues and discussions about Thiel’s lawsuit against Gawker Media.
Epstein invested $40 million in Thiel’s Valar Ventures and even invited him to visit his private island in the Caribbean. Despite frequent communication, Thiel’s spokesperson clarified to The New York Times that he has never visited the island.
Thiel wrote in a 2025 article for the Financial Times that he believed President Trump’s new term would reveal the truth behind Epstein’s files.
Adam Back, Austin Hill, and Joi Ito
Image source: commons.wikimedia, Joi Ito photo, CEO of Blockstream Adam Back
In 2014, Epstein participated in a seed round funding of $18 million for blockchain technology company Blockstream.
He invested $50,000 personally through Joi Ito, then director of MIT Media Lab, using Ito’s fund.
Regarding this investment, Blockstream CEO Adam Back responded on X platform, stating that their relationship was limited to that investment. He pointed out that a few months later, Ito’s fund divested from Blockstream due to potential conflicts of interest and other considerations, so Blockstream and Epstein or his estate have no direct or indirect financial ties.
Blockstream co-founder Austin Hill sent a letter to Ito and Epstein expressing concern that if investors support both Ripple and Stellar projects, it could create conflicts of interest.
Joi Ito publicly apologized in 2019 for accepting Epstein’s funds, admitting a misjudgment.
Related reports:
Epstein Files: Jeffrey Claims to Have Contacted Bitcoin Founders, Another Email Sparks Ripple Community Debate
Elon Musk
Image source:creativecommons.org Elon Musk
Tesla CEO, X platform owner, and Dogecoin enthusiast Elon Musk also has extensive correspondence with Epstein. The emails mention SolarCity, Musk’s company at the time, providing solar power systems for Epstein’s Caribbean island.
In an email at the end of 2012, Musk inquired about wild party plans and hoped to be helicoptered there with his then-wife. Subsequent emails revealed Musk, under work pressure, wanted to relax in Saint Barts or elsewhere after his children returned home.
While the emails discussed plans to visit the island, logistical issues prevented the trip from happening.
Regarding the files, Musk recently clarified multiple times on X that he has never attended Epstein’s parties, set foot on the island, or flown on his private jet.
Related reports:
Latest Epstein Files on “Lolita Island”: Musk Sought to Attend Parties, Bill Gates Suspected of Being Sick
Bryan Johnson
Image source: commons.wikimedia, Tribeca Disruptive Innovation photo, billionaire Bryan Johnson, invited to the 2025 Bitcoin Conference and dedicated to longevity research
Bryan Johnson, a billionaire involved in longevity research and invited to the 2025 Bitcoin Conference, also appears in Epstein files.
However, their correspondence is quite limited, mainly involving arrangements for a call between Epstein and Johnson, with no evidence of deeper interactions.
Howard Lutnick
Image source: Flickr, EnergeticNYC photo, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a current member of Trump’s administration, visited Epstein’s island with his wife and children in December 2012. At that time, Lutnick’s family was on a yacht vacation and met Epstein. Additionally, according to a 2011 itinerary, they had also socialized over drinks.
Regarding this past, CNBC reports that Lutnick stated he cut ties with Epstein decades ago and described Epstein’s behavior as disgusting, trying to distance himself.
Brock Pierce
Image source: Sebastiaan ter Burg photo, Tether co-founder Brock Pierce
Tether co-founder Brock Pierce, a major stablecoin developer, has communicated multiple times with Epstein on crypto issues.
In 2011, they arranged a meeting in New York. The DOJ database also mentions emails about arranging calls and Google Meet meetings, and in 2015, Pierce introduced investment opportunities in US crypto exchange Coinbase and discussed investments in Blockstream.
A screenshot from a WhatsApp group chat in May 2018 shows Epstein even admitted that Pierce taught him everything about cryptocurrencies. To date, Pierce has not responded publicly to the information in the files.
Image source: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein admits Pierce taught him everything about cryptocurrencies.
Michael Saylor (Indirectly Mentioned)
Image source: MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor, who is indirectly mentioned through third-party communications
MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor did not directly correspond with Epstein but appeared indirectly in the files via third-party communications.
The files show that U.S. public relations figure Peggy Siegal mentioned Saylor in an email to Epstein in 2010, describing him as a good person wanting to improve his social life. However, a few months later, at a dinner, Siegal described Saylor as acting like a drugged zombie, unable to hold a proper conversation.
There is no evidence of direct communication between Saylor and Epstein in the publicly available files, and he has not responded to media requests.
The Epstein files release has sparked bipartisan discontent
Although the DOJ claims to have released millions of Epstein files to fulfill its duties, subsequent legal actions seem bleak.
AP quotes senior DOJ officials stating that despite the files containing numerous emails and disturbing photos, this may not be enough for prosecution, and the likelihood of indictment is very low.
Meanwhile, the handling of Epstein files has caused bipartisan dissatisfaction.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna pointed out that the DOJ confirmed over 6 million pages of related documents, but after review and editing, only about 3.5 million pages were released. He questioned whether undisclosed documents are being withheld to protect powerful individuals, which could severely damage public trust in the system.
New Mexico Democratic Congressman Melanie Stansbury directly accused this as a blatant cover-up; Republican Congressman Thomas Massie also stated that too many documents are still being withheld or overly redacted, indicating that this controversy over the files may be hard to resolve.
