Epstein Files Reveal Alleged Early Investment in Coinbase

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-02-03Last updated on 2026-02-03

Abstract

Epstein Files reveal that Jeffrey Epstein allegedly invested $3 million in Coinbase through Brock Pierce's Blockchain Capital in 2014. Documents suggest the deal may have secured him a meeting with co-founder Fred Ehrsam. A 2018 email indicates Epstein later sold half his stake back for around $11 million. Separately, Blockstream CEO Adam Back denied any financial ties to Epstein, though a document shows a co-founder discussed the firm's seed round with him.

The latest anticipation revolves around the Epstein Files, indicating a vast collection of documents associated with the case of American financier Jeffrey Epstein, which revealed that he made a $3 million investment in the crypto exchange Coinbase around 10 years ago.

According to the documents publicised by the U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein invested in Coinbase via Brock Pierce’s Blockchain Capital in 2014. A Bitcoin researcher, Kyle Torpey, mentioned that it is not clear if the deal really went through, but there are many discussions regarding investing in Coinbase in the files.

The buying supposedly arranged Epstein a face-to-face meeting with Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam. The leaked email screenshot revealed mentioning Jeff and Ehrsam, signalling Ehrsam might be aware of his involvement in Coinbase.

The Revealed Screenshot

Ehrsam wrote that I have a gap between noon and 3pm today, but again, it’s not critical for me, but it would be nice to meet him if suitable. Is it important for him, as per the screenshot. After four years, in 2018, one more email surfaced that confirmed that Epstein got his Coinbase allocation. It seems that he then sold 50% of the stake back to Blockchain Capital for about $11 million.

At the same time, the chief executive officer of Blockstream, Adam Back, pushed back against allegations from the Epstein Files concerning his continued connection with the convict. Back posted on X, writing that Blockstream has no direct or indirect financial connection with Jeffrey Epstein.

A document publicised by the U.S. DOJ corresponding to July 2014 revealed that Blockstream co-founder Austin Hill talked about the seed round of the firm with Epstein and Joi Ito, then director of the MIT Media Lab.

Adam Back also mentioned in his post that Blockstream met with Jeffrey Epstein, who was referred to at the time as a restricted partner in Ito’s fund.

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