Emails from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate have surfaced, revealing connections between the disgraced financier and Brock Pierce, co-founder of the stablecoin Tether. These communications indicate that Epstein inquired about a meeting with Pierce at his Manhattan residence. An unpublished article from 2015 detailed a conversation where Pierce discussed Bitcoin with former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers.
### Discussion on Bitcoin
According to the emails released by U.S. lawmakers, Pierce engaged in a conversation about Bitcoin with Summers at Epstein’s townhouse after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses. The discussion was intended for an article in New York Magazine, which ultimately did not see publication despite highlighting several notable visitors to Epstein’s home. During this exchange, Pierce identified himself to Summers as “the most active investor in Bitcoin.” The correspondence reveals Summers’ interest in Bitcoin but also his apprehension regarding the potential damage to his reputation should he experience financial losses due to the cryptocurrency’s volatility.
### Concerns About Reputation
Summers, who previously served as the president of Harvard University, recognized the “opportunities” posed by Bitcoin but expressed worries about how a poor investment could tarnish his image. He reflected on the risks, stating that he could transition from being perceived as a knowledgeable and respectable figure to one seen as lacking intelligence and integrity in the eyes of the public. This exchange also hinted at the unpredictable nature of Bitcoin prices, with Pierce warning that the market could attract individuals of questionable character.
### Connections to Epstein
Pierce’s ties to Epstein were not new, with prior documentation of a 2011 trip to the Virgin Islands for a scientific conference organized by Epstein. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter in 2019, a representative for Pierce noted that their limited interactions were primarily focused on cryptocurrency and occurred at industry events alongside many other notable figures. The newly released documents suggest that Epstein may have had a more significant influence on Pierce’s business endeavors than previously understood, potentially aiding him in networking with influential individuals in traditional finance and academia during the early days of Bitcoin.
### Other Notable Figures
The article also references other individuals with cryptocurrency connections mentioned in Epstein’s schedule, including PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel. Thiel’s Founders Fund made significant early investments in Bitcoin in 2014, marking him as one of the first institutional investors in the cryptocurrency space. The correspondence indicates that Epstein’s engagements with Summers, Pierce, and possibly Thiel occurred after his 2008 conviction, with journalist Alex Yablon fact-checking the information in March 2015.
### Fact-Checking Process
Yablon’s inquiries included questions about whether Summers met with Pierce to discuss Bitcoin, prompting Epstein to forward these questions to author Michael Wolff, expressing disbelief at the notion. Shortly thereafter, Epstein also relayed Yablon’s fact-checking efforts to his lawyer, Darren Indyke, without additional commentary. Wolff, known for his writing on President Donald Trump, had previously advised Epstein on leveraging his connections to Trump during the 2015 presidential campaign, which raised ethical concerns about his involvement with a convicted sex offender. Wolff has since denied facilitating Epstein’s activities, framing his interactions as a means of gaining better access to influential networks.
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