Crypto industry figures issue a series of explanations after release of Epstein documents

JH Kim

Summary

It reported that the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein has mentioned the names of crypto industry figures, prompting a series of explanations.
It said key figures including Peter Thiel, Adam Back, Elon Musk, Brock Pierce, and Michael Saylor denied any connection to criminal conduct.
The outlet said the document release is putting key crypto industry figures’ past personal ties back in the spotlight, but that no direct link to illegal activities has been confirmed.

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Following the release of documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a number of figures in the virtual asset (cryptocurrency) industry whose names appear in the files have come forward one after another to explain their ties.

According to Cointelegraph, a virtual-asset-focused media outlet, the disclosed documents mention many individuals in contexts such as investment relationships with Epstein, introductions through acquaintances, and exchanges of correspondence.

Those issuing statements include △PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel △Blockstream CEO Adam Back △Tesla CEO Elon Musk △crypto enthusiast Bryan Johnson △U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick △Tether (USDT) co-founder Brock Pierce △Strategy (MSTR) founder Michael Saylor.

In their statements, they denied any link to Epstein’s criminal conduct, or said their connections amounted to simple meetings and correspondence, or indirect links through third parties.

The outlet said the release is prompting renewed scrutiny of past personal connections involving key figures in the crypto industry, but that so far there have been no confirmed cases of a direct link between them and Epstein’s illegal activities.