As the Epstein files continue to be released, new claims are surfacing almost every day, raising serious concerns. One recent claim circulating on X and within crypto circles alleges that Israel secretly gained control of the Bitcoin network more than a decade ago.
The main Israel link comes through former Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Records show Barak stayed at Jeffrey Epstein’s New York home several times between 2013 and 2017, the same period when claims of Israeli control over Bitcoin.
Epstein also reportedly acted as a backchannel for Israeli interests, helping arrange security deals in several countries.
In 2015, Epstein donated $850,000 to the MIT Media Lab. Prominent Israeli figures, such as designer Neri Oxman, were senior researchers at the Media Lab during the period it was accepting Epstein’s funds.
Epstein was also connected to Bitcoin infrastructure as well. In 2014, he joined an $18 million funding round for Blockstream, a company that employs important Bitcoin developers.
However, Blockstream CEO Adam Back later clarified that Epstein’s stake was quickly sold and the company has no financial ties to him today.
Tether Allegations Are Unrelated and Unproven
Claims that Bitcoin’s price can be manipulated using “unbacked Tether” are separate allegations. These claims do not prove that anyone controls the Bitcoin network, controls Bitcoin developers, or that any government is manipulating Bitcoin.
Summary Table: Coinpedia’s Evidence Against the Theory
| Claim Made by Theory | Coinpedia’s Counter-Evidence |
| Does Israel Hijack Control of the Bitcoin Network? | U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said their were no substantiated evidence to support this claim |
| Did Epstein funded Bitcoin takeover? | Minor, but that was also through indirect investment of only $50,000 and $500,000 |
| Were 60% of devs paid by Israel | No Document to support these claims. |
Conclusion
| Claim | Do the Epstein Files Reveal Israel Hijacked Control of the Bitcoin Network? |
| Verdict | ❌ False |
| Fact-Check by Coinpedia | As per Coinpedia research and a review of official sources, there is no credible evidence that Israel controls Bitcoin, pays core developers, or manipulates the network through Blockstream or Tether. Until then, this claim remains unverified and speculative. |
Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
Trust with CoinPedia:
CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.
Investment Disclaimer:
All opinions and insights shared represent the author’s own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.
Sponsored and Advertisements:
Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.
About Author
