Bitcoin Pioneer Adam Back Addresses Mention In Epstein Files
Bitcoin pioneer Adam Back addressed allegations linking him and Blockstream to Jeffrey Epstein, following the circulation of excerpts from the "Epstein files." Back stated that during Blockstream's 2014 seed funding round, they were introduced to Epstein through MIT Media Lab's former director Joi Ito, who described Epstein as a limited partner in his fund. This fund later invested a minority stake in Blockstream. However, Back emphasized that the connection was brief and indirect, with Ito's fund divesting its shares months later due to potential conflicts of interest. He asserted that Blockstream has no financial ties to Epstein or his estate.
The allegations resurfaced due to emails and screenshots showing Epstein's involvement in Blockstream's early fundraising, including a tenfold increase in his investment and travel coordination involving Back. A viral social media thread attempted to connect Epstein's investment to later disputes over Bitcoin's scaling decisions, suggesting financial ties to key Bitcoin Core developers. At the time of reporting, BTC was trading at $77,750.
bitcoinist02/02 16:15
