February 2 News, among the approximately three million documents recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice, there is a sensitive email related to Bitcoin. The documents show that Jeffrey Epstein claimed in 2016 to have had exchanges with the “Bitcoin founder” and planned to use blockchain technology to design a digital currency system for the Middle East. This statement quickly drew attention within the crypto community.
The email was sent on October 13, 2016, and was addressed to Rafat Al-Sabbagh and Aziza Alahmadi. Epstein mentioned in the letter that he “had spoken with some Bitcoin founders,” and that they were interested in his ideas. The email described two currency schemes aimed at Muslim communities: one called “Sharia,” a physical currency, and another based on blockchain technology, compliant with Islamic financial standards.
Since Bitcoin was created by an individual or team under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, whose true identity has never been publicly revealed, Epstein’s claims cannot currently be verified. However, his use of the plural “founders” has reignited discussions about whether Bitcoin was developed collaboratively by multiple people.
The legal documents also reveal that Epstein had begun exploring Bitcoin-related information as early as 2013. Boris Nikolic forwarded him an analysis report written by Tren Griffin, discussing Bitcoin’s potential as a payment system. In the same year, Austin Hill also sent Epstein an email expressing concerns about the Stellar project, copying Reid Hoffman and Joichi Ito, indicating his ongoing contacts within the tech and finance circles.
Regarding the Middle Eastern currency plan, Epstein stated that he was waiting for the Saudi Arabian side to schedule a meeting and described the project as a “radical concept.” Although these schemes were never implemented, the emails suggest he attempted to introduce Bitcoin’s underlying technology into regional financial systems.
Researchers are still reviewing the relevant documents. As more details emerge, these historical emails are prompting the public to reexamine the complex relationships between early cryptocurrencies, power, and capital.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Humpback whales use the U.S.-Iran ceasefire for precise trading: Bitcoin longs and crude oil shorts both profit $5 million
A trader made about $5 million in a short period before the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement by rapidly profiting through simultaneously building leveraged positions in both the oil market and the crypto market. This operation highlights the high-risk, high-reward nature of leveraged trading, reflects how geopolitics can impact markets, and reminds investors to maintain strong risk-management awareness.
GateNews9m ago
Price predictions 4/6: SPX, DXY, BTC, ETH, BNB, XRP, SOL, DOGE, HYPE, ADA
Key points:
Bitcoin rose above the $70,000 level on Monday, but analysts remain skeptical, expecting a drop below the $60,000 support.
Several major altcoins have bounced off their supports, indicating demand at lower levels.
Buyers pushed Bitcoin (BTC) above the $70,000 level, but
Cointelegraph13m ago
South Korea plans to regulate real-world assets and stablecoins, pushing for the legalization of digital assets
The Democratic Party of Korea plans to regulate tokenized real-world assets and stablecoins in the soon-to-be enacted “Framework Act on Digital Assets.” The proposal would require issuers to deposit assets with a trustee-managed trust institution, and classify stablecoins as a means of payment, subject to oversight by foreign exchange regulators. The bill bans earnings from idle stablecoins and calls for the development of interoperable technical standards, aiming to improve market transparency and safety. This marks an important step forward for South Korea’s digital asset regulation.
GateNews23m ago
Bernstein: Quantum Computing’s Impact on Bitcoin Is “Not a Do-or-Die Matter”—Upgrades Could Be Key
Bernstein analysts say that quantum computing poses a potential threat to Bitcoin, but it is not a terminal crisis—it is part of a broader technological upgrade. Technology companies plan to transition to post-quantum cryptography before 2029, while Bitcoin and Ethereum are already rolling out the corresponding upgrades to ensure long-term security. While risks do exist, they need to be managed with sensible planning and not exaggerated.
GateNews24m ago
Bitcoin Reclaims Prices Above $70,000 at $72,000, Will it Reclaim $76,000 or Hit $60,000 Next?
Bitcoin reclaims prices above $70,000 at $72,000.
Will the price of BTC go bullish and surge above $76,000 next?
There is also a bearish possibility for BTC to drop to $60,000 next instead.
The crypto community is pleased to see the price of Bitcoin (BTC), the pioneer crypto asset, recla
CryptoNewsLand26m ago
