Epstein–Bitcoin Timeline

October 3, 2008

Epstein emails: crisis as "political revival opportunity" i Epstein wrote: "The crisis begins with a lesson on money. NOT finance, MONEY. At its core, the whole system is based on TRUST... People no longer trust in any of the more standard institutions."

Epstein framed the financial crisis as a lesson on money and trust, calling for a summit of "internet experts" to rethink regulation, just weeks prior to Bitcoin whitepaper being released.

Source: Epstein's 2008 Emails Reveal Idea for Bitcoin-Like Digital Currency

October 7, 2008

Epstein proposes "E-life" - internet-distributed value i Weeks before the Bitcoin whitepaper, Epstein wrote of "a new system that uses the internet to distribute value" and "store of value that we call money, that is artificially in short supply."

Epstein described "artificial money scarcity" and a new system using the internet to distribute value, with feedback loops and "E-life."

Source: Epstein's 2008 Emails Reveal Idea for Bitcoin-Like Digital Currency

October 31, 2008

Bitcoin whitepaper published i Peer-to-peer electronic cash system based on cryptographic proof instead of trust. No evidence links Epstein to Bitcoin's creation.

Satoshi Nakamoto published the Bitcoin whitepaper on the cryptography mailing list.

Source: Epstein's 2008 Emails Reveal Idea for Bitcoin-Like Digital Currency

December 7, 2010

Epstein's 2010 disinformation campaign i Within two months, "pedophile" and "jail" no longer appeared among top search results for Epstein's name. Same methodology as modern troll farms.

DOJ emails detail an "intense" battle over Epstein's Wikipedia page; Philippine PR agencies purged his criminal history from search results. Epstein's troll farms are a pre-cursor to Bitcoin's Block Size Wars.

Source: How Epstein-Style Troll Farms Shaped Bitcoin's Path Forward

June 4, 2011

Epstein hunting for the "bit coin guys" i Epstein was actively seeking access to Bitcoin pioneers; Gavin Andresen (then Bitcoin lead dev) declined to meet.

Emails to Jason Calacanis sought intros to Bitcoin developers Gavin Andresen and Amir Taaki. Andresen rebuffed: "No, sorry, I'm busy."

Source: Mapping Epstein's Shadow Network of Bitcoin Influence

December 19, 2012

Lutnick planned visit to Epstein Island i Years after Epstein's 2008 conviction, Lutnick was still planning island visits. Contradicts his public narrative of having severed ties.

Emails from 2012 show Howard Lutnick planning a family visit to Epstein's Little St. James island, including listing ages of his children.

Source: Howard Lutnick, Jeffrey Epstein, and Tether's USDT Dominance

May 17, 2013

Peter Todd "Keep Bitcoin Free" video i Community scrutiny: Todd was later reported to have been working with government agents in attempt to subvert the big-block on-chain scaling movement.

Bitcoin Core developer Peter Todd, in discussions with government agent "John Dillon," made a video advocating keeping the Bitcoin block size at 1MB.

Source: How Epstein-Style Troll Farms Shaped Bitcoin's Path Forward

April 19, 2014

Hill and Back meet Epstein on Island i Epstein invested in Blockstream's seed round alongside Joi Ito; allocations bumped to at least $500,000 despite round being oversubscribed.

Austin Hill and Adam Back met Epstein in the U.S. Virgin Islands near Little Saint James to discuss Bitcoin and investments.

Source: Blockstream, Bitcoin Belle, and Epstein: Untangling Bitcoin's Early Connections

September 9, 2014

$500,001 wired to Kyara for Blockstream i Deutsche Bank document; second primary-source financial document directly tying Epstein to Blockstream.

Epstein's Southern Financial LLC account wired $500,001 to Kyara Investment III, LLC. Wire memo: "subcr to Kyara Investment III, LLC to fund Blockstream Investment."

Source: Following Epstein's $83 Million Money Trail to Bitcoin's Earliest Builders

October 28, 2014

Brock Pierce emailed Epstein about Noble and Tether i "I'd love to get him involved with Noble Markets and Tether. Will get you info on both," wrote Pierce.

Brock Pierce wrote to Epstein about bringing Larry Summers into Noble Markets and Tether stablecoin.

Source: How Noble Markets Connected Tether, Epstein, and Their Shadow Banking Network

November 17, 2014

Blockstream founded; "Can't be evil" i Blockstream would become a central force in Bitcoin infrastructure and Layer 2 (Lightning).

Blockstream announced $21M seed; Austin Hill and Adam Back wrote "Can't be evil" on a whiteboard in Malta.

Source: Blockstream's Ties to Epstein Reveal Hidden Investments, Bitcoin Mixing

December 3, 2014

Crypto Currency Partners funnel investments for Epstein i CCP II was explicitly designed as Epstein's vehicle for crypto plays: anonymous, tax-advantaged, insulated from public scrutiny.

Brock Pierce sent Epstein the LLC docs: "Attached are the docs I sent you for the LLC that we intend to funnel your investments through."

Source: Epstein Funneled Millions Into Bitcoin Through Brock Pierce's Crypto Currency Partners Fund

December 4, 2014

Epstein $3M Coinbase investment i Fred Ehrsam and Brian Armstrong were directly aware of Epstein's involvement. Later sold half back to Blockchain Capital for ~$11M.

Epstein invested $3 million in Coinbase at ~$400M valuation via Brock Pierce and Blockchain Capital.

Source: Epstein Invested $3 Million in Coinbase According to DOJ Files Released

January 7, 2015

Hill–Epstein emails on Gates Foundation and Bitcoin i Epstein replied that a goal was "to be able to prevent corruption to the gates foundation assets that are giving away, follow a chain." Hill warned against Ethereum/Stellar security models.

Austin Hill (Blockstream) corresponded with Epstein about using Bitcoin to address Gates Foundation payment and asset visibility concerns.

Source: Epstein Files Expose Bitcoin Plan to Hide Gates Foundation Payments from Scrutiny

January 7, 2015

Austin Hill: "I may bring a Bitcoin Belle" i Shows Hill viewing Bitcoin Belle as a companion worth introducing to Epstein; blended personal and professional ties.

Hill emailed Epstein about visiting NY and possibly bringing Bitcoin Belle (Michele Seven), "an anarchist who was camping with Occupy New York."

Source: Blockstream, Bitcoin Belle, and Epstein: Untangling Bitcoin's Early Connections

October 2015

CCP II portfolio: Blockstream, Coinbase, Kraken, Ripple, LedgerX… i Epstein's stake was spread across the entire early Bitcoin ecosystem through the fund.

Crypto Currency Partners II listed Abra, BitGo, Blockstream, Coinbase, Kraken, LedgerX, Ripple, and others.

Source: Epstein Funneled Millions Into Bitcoin Through Brock Pierce's Crypto Currency Partners Fund

October 29, 2015

Bitcoin Investor conference: Nick Szabo and Craig Wright panel i Video shows Bitcoin Belle moderating; Wright later exposed as fraud. She later traveled to Hawaii with Austin Hill from Blockstream to escape the drama.

Bitcoin Belle hosted a Las Vegas panel featuring Nick Szabo, Trace Mayer, and Craig Wright, elevating Wright's fraudulent "Satoshi" claims.

Source: Blockstream, Bitcoin Belle, and Epstein: Untangling Bitcoin's Early Connections

November 16, 2015

Jeremy Rubin introduced Epstein to LedgerX and Bryan Bishop i LedgerX aimed to become first regulated Bitcoin options/futures platform under CFTC. Bishop would later pitch "designer babies" to Epstein.

Jeremy Rubin introduced Epstein to LedgerX (crypto derivatives) and Bishop; Epstein expressed interest but wanted anonymity.

Source: Epstein Files Reveal Bitcoin Developers Tied to Genetic 'Designer Baby' Ambitions

January 7, 2016

Crypto Currency Partners II closed at $10M i "We are excited to share that we completed our fundraise last month for Crypto Currency Partners II, LP."

CCP II fundraise completed just above $10M; Epstein was a limited partner focused on Bitcoin infrastructure.

Source: Epstein Funneled Millions Into Bitcoin Through Brock Pierce's Crypto Currency Partners Fund

July 11, 2016

Jeremy Rubin introduced Chaincode Labs to Epstein i Chaincode Labs funds Bitcoin Core developers and has backed SegWit/Lightning Network and Taproot.

Jeremy Rubin introduced Suhas Daftuar and Alex Morcos (Chaincode Labs) to Epstein for a NYC meeting; Epstein "very keen on regulatory/tax side."

Source: Inside the Overlooked Ties Between Epstein, Chaincode Labs, and Bitcoin

October 3, 2016

Lutnick: Cantor Gaming $22.5M settlement i Nevada sports-betting subsidiary founded by Howard Lutnick; company "repeatedly violated state and federal laws" per reports.

Cantor Gaming paid $22.5M to settle federal charges involving illegal gambling and money-laundering violations.

Source: Howard Lutnick, Jeffrey Epstein, and Tether's USDT Dominance

January 2017

Tether and Bitfinex became Noble Bank's key customers i Noble Bank International (Puerto Rico) held deposits and settled flows; Brock Pierce had moved to Puerto Rico and had banking connections there.

By 2016–2017, Tether and Bitfinex relied on Noble Bank during unstable banking relationships; Noble was essential to USDT stablecoin expansion.

Source: How Noble Markets Connected Tether, Epstein, and Their Shadow Banking Network

October 6, 2017

Masha Drokova to Epstein: Russian "blockchain prodigy" i She also advised Epstein that he "can manipulate bitcoin of course giving comments about bitcoin, ethereum or other 'currencies'."

Drokova wrote to Epstein about a "super smart and young blockchain enthusiast in Russia" who "can be better than Vitalik Buterin." Possible candidate: Sergey Nazarov (Chainlink).

Source: Russian Operative Touted Blockchain Prodigy Better Than Vitalik Buterin in Epstein Emails

November 16, 2017

Austin Hill to Epstein: $30M from billionaires for crypto i "They are killing it in terms of rewards... I'm pooling about $30m from a bunch of billionaires I know who are all looking to get into crypto currencies."

Hill emailed Epstein about Alphabit and pooling ~$30M from wealthy contacts for crypto exposure; described "wash trades" and "HFT games."

Source: How Noble Markets Connected Tether, Epstein, and Their Shadow Banking Network

January 29, 2018

Epstein team sold half of Coinbase stake i Purchasing from Jeffrey "appears to be the simplest, and doesn't need to go through Coinbase."

Blockchain Capital reached out to repurchase Epstein's Coinbase stake; valuation negotiations (e.g. $15M for half); deal preferred "due to dedicated LLC structure."

Source: Epstein Funneled Millions Into Bitcoin Through Brock Pierce's Crypto Currency Partners Fund

July 21, 2018

Austin Hill: "Tumbled bitcoin" for "total deniability" i Hill referenced prior Epstein investments hidden through Joi Ito; offered "Snowden-level counter-surveillance" from Blockstream's network. Tied to Bryan Bishop's "designer babies" pitch.

Hill emailed Epstein about an offshore hedge fund or investment trust, with settlements "managed in Tumbled bitcoin transactions."

Source: Blockstream's Ties to Epstein Reveal Hidden Investments, Bitcoin Mixing, and Deniable Funding

August 5, 2018

Bryan Bishop pitched "designer babies" to Epstein i Epstein responded: "I have no issues with investing. The problem is only if I am seen to lead." Bishop mentioned Austin Hill as advisor.

Bishop (LedgerX) sought funding for germline editing: "first live birth of a human designer baby and possibly a human clone" within five years.

Source: Epstein Files Reveal Bitcoin Developers Tied to Genetic 'Designer Baby' Ambitions

August 18, 2018

Epstein rejected Layer1/Grin: "ponzi gambling" i "So far its not good... manipulation. unlikely to cause trouble except for high value targets." Peter Thiel later invested in Layer1's seed round.

Epstein backed out of a $2M Layer1/Grin deal, calling it "ponzi gambling" and citing manipulation and regulatory risks.

Source: Epstein Rejected $2 Million Layer1, Grin Investment Over 'Ponzi Gambling' Fears

November 2018

Tether moved banking to Deltec; Noble Bank collapsed i Noble had been the settlement layer beneath Tether's expansion; its fortunes were tied almost entirely to that relationship.

When Tether moved its banking to Deltec in 2018, Noble Bank's business collapsed. Attempts to sell the bank failed; by 2019 it had shut down.

Source: How Noble Markets Connected Tether, Epstein, and Their Shadow Banking Network

November 8, 2018

Greg Maxwell offered Craig Wright "discreet assistance" i "I believe it would be adverse for interests that concern me if your influence or prominence in BCH were in any way diminished."

Blockstream co-founder Greg Maxwell emailed Wright offering "discreet assistance" amid Wright's conflicts during the Block Size War era.

Source: Blockstream, Bitcoin Belle, and Epstein: Untangling Bitcoin's Early Connections

January 2019

Noble Bank effectively shut down i Tether's next chapter moved to larger institutions; Cantor Fitzgerald would later become primary custodian for Tether's U.S. Treasuries.

Noble Bank had effectively ceased operations by 2019.

Source: How Noble Markets Connected Tether, Epstein, and Their Shadow Banking Network

August 10, 2019

Jeffrey Epstein died in prison i The New York City medical examiner and the Justice Department Inspector General ruled that Epstein's death was a suicide by hanging.

Jeffrey Epstein died in custody while waiting for sex trafficking sentencing.

Source: Death of Jeffrey Epstein (Wikipedia)

April 23, 2021

FBI document on Lutnick surfaced in Epstein files i Whistleblower alleged Lutnick linked to illegal activities with JP Morgan, Russian hedge funds; "global Ponzi share" scheme with BGC employees. Lutnick has denied; document is unverified.

A 2021 FBI document surfaced in the Epstein file wave alleging money laundering and Ponzi schemes by Howard Lutnick.

Source: How Noble Markets Connected Tether, Epstein, and Their Shadow Banking Network

November 2021

Lutnick: Cantor Fitzgerald became Tether's custodian i By 2025, Cantor reportedly held custody of ~99% of Tether's Treasuries (~$130–140B). Lutnick vouched for Tether's reserves at his Senate confirmation.

Cantor became primary custodian for Tether's U.S. Treasury stablecoin holdings; Howard Lutnick confirmed the relationship publicly.

Source: Howard Lutnick, Jeffrey Epstein, and Tether's USDT Dominance

July 18, 2025

GENIUS Act signed into law i Critics said the law handed Cantor Fitzgerald and Lutnick unprecedented influence over the stablecoin market. Bo Hines, White House crypto advisor, later became CEO of Tether's USAT.

Trump signed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act; only Treasury-backed stablecoins can be "legal."

Source: Howard Lutnick, Jeffrey Epstein, and Tether's USDT Dominance

February 26, 2026

Bill Gates apologizes over Epstein ties i Came amid reporting on Epstein–Hill emails about using Bitcoin for Gates Foundation asset flows and avoiding "corruption" and visibility.

At a Gates Foundation town hall, Bill Gates apologized for mistakes that overshadowed the group's work; denied complicity in or knowledge of Epstein's crimes; incl. using Bitcoin to hide payments.

Source: Epstein Files Expose Bitcoin Plan to Hide Gates Foundation Payments from Scrutiny