Adam Back Urged to Resign After Epstein Documents Cite Blockstream Ties

TLDR

• Luke Dashjr called for Adam Back to resign after Epstein-linked documents were released.

• Blockstream and Coinbase were named in DOJ-released files tied to Epstein.

• Adam Back confirmed Epstein was a past indirect investor in Blockstream.

• The documents mention 19 references to Adam Back and 1,800+ to Brock Pierce.

Bitcoin Core developer Luke Dashjr has publicly called for Blockstream CEO Adam Back to resign, following the release of U.S. Department of Justice documents referencing Jeffrey Epstein and multiple crypto figures. Dashjr, who has had a long history with Back and Blockstream, made the statement on social media on February 4.

“These recent revelations about Adam and Epstein Island help shed light on some of Adam’s hostility toward me,” Dashjr wrote in a post. He also referred to previous internal disputes over co-founder recognition at Blockstream, saying Back “should consider resigning from all positions of authority.”

The newly released documents include hundreds of references to the crypto sector, listing names such as Coinbase, Tether’s Brock Pierce, and Blockstream executives. According to a count of mentions, Adam Back is referenced 19 times in the files.

Documents Show Epstein’s Crypto Interests and Connections

The documents, made public last Friday, include millions of pages related to Epstein’s communications and business dealings. Among the new content are emails and investor discussions referencing major cryptocurrency projects and individuals.

Tether co-founder Brock Pierce was mentioned over 1,800 times, while Coinbase appeared in 266 entries. In one email, Epstein mentioned he had hosted “Andy Back” on his private island, although it is unclear whether this was a reference to Adam Back or another person.

Separate messages showed Epstein’s assistant discussing travel to Montreal, where Blockstream co-founders reportedly met him. One 2014 message from Austin Hill, a co-founder of Blockstream, said that the “Blockstream crew were well entertained” during Epstein’s visit to Canada.

The files also referenced discussions with Italian venture capitalist Vincenzo Iozzo, where Epstein responded positively to a question about Back, replying “like him.”

Blockstream CEO Confirms Epstein’s Early Investment

Following the release of the documents, Adam Back confirmed that Epstein had previously invested in Blockstream. Back clarified that the investment came indirectly, through a fund linked to former MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito. The fund had participated in Blockstream’s 2014 seed round but later exited.

Back said the company currently holds “no direct nor indirect financial connection with Jeffrey Epstein, or his estate.” He did not address the claims about a potential visit to Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James.

The island, located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, has been cited in court proceedings as a location where Epstein abused underage girls. No wrongdoing by the crypto figures named has been alleged in the newly released materials.

Long-Standing Disputes Within the Bitcoin Developer Community

The revelations have resurfaced past disagreements between Dashjr and Back, particularly around governance and control within the Bitcoin community. Dashjr has previously criticized what he sees as Blockstream’s excessive influence over Bitcoin’s direction and development decisions.

Tensions between the two developers have existed for several years. Dashjr’s latest remarks link those disputes to the new disclosures, while urging broader accountability among crypto leaders mentioned in the files.

Neither Adam Back nor Blockstream have responded publicly to new media inquiries about the email contents beyond the prior confirmation of Epstein’s indirect investment. The matter remains a subject of public discussion within the crypto community.

The post Adam Back Urged to Resign After Epstein Documents Cite Blockstream Ties appeared first on CoinCentral.