Bitcoin is at Question now? Epstein File reveals

[Mahiyammahi]

I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this, but the topic worries me and I don’t know much about it, so I’m hoping the community can help clarify things.

Recently, the so called Epstein 3M files resurfaced. For those unfamiliar, Epstein was a billionaire linked to child trafficking and other serious crimes, with many high-profile figures, including celebrities and politicians, reportedly connected to him.

I came across a post on X claiming that 3 out of 5 Bitcoin core developers had connections to Epstein. If that were true, could it mean changes to Bitcoin’s code are possible? I understand Bitcoin is open source, but since some developers were associated with the Media Lab, I’m wondering if such influence could affect the protocol.

X post - https://x.com/i/status/2018025450753159425
Epstein Files are uploaded here - http://www.jmail.world/photos

[schmalius]

I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this, but the topic worries me and I don’t know much about it, so I’m hoping the community can help clarify things.

Recently, the so called Epstein 3M files resurfaced. For those unfamiliar, Epstein was a billionaire linked to child trafficking and other serious crimes, with many high-profile figures, including celebrities and politicians, reportedly connected to him.

I came across a post on X claiming that 3 out of 5 Bitcoin core developers had connections to Epstein. If that were true, could it mean changes to Bitcoin’s code are possible? I understand Bitcoin is open source, but since some developers were associated with the Media Lab, I’m wondering if such influence could affect the protocol.

X post - https://x.com/i/status/2018025450753159425
Epstein Files are uploaded here - http://www.jmail.world/photos

Good morning sir,
Really good question I’m also concerned about this topic. Pls someone OG can teach us something

[ColdLava40]

I came across a post on X claiming that 3 out of 5 Bitcoin core developers had connections to Epstein. If that were true, could it mean changes to Bitcoin’s code are possible? I understand Bitcoin is open source, but since some developers were associated with the Media Lab, I’m wondering if such influence could affect the protocol.

I don't see how this impact bitcoin even In the smallest bit. Since the leak of the Epstein file, we have seen many important figures exposed but I haven't seen anyone of them that has been affected by it.. so why would bitcoin be just because some unknown core Devs were found on the file?

Bitcoin doesn't belong to them or anyone, it's a system built from the contribution of different Devs and bitcoin lovers. So if some Devs were found on that file it simply has no business to affect bitcoins protocol.

[john_egbert]

I don't worry about it because it won't be used for something malicious, at least i hope it will be that way.

At this point, judging by these files, I won't be suprised to find literraly anybody in there. I mean, even Gordon Ramsey (as far as I saw) is mentioned

[viljy]

Below the tweet that the OP refers to, there is an explanation of what is meant. So it seems to me that concerns are misplaced here. And why is there such a fuss about these files? It was as if something incredible had suddenly become known... It has always been known that rich people indulge in various perversions due to their satiety from ordinary entertainment. Therefore, it is not surprising that the rich engage in pedophilia, and can also eat human flesh or drink the blood of babies, worship the devil, etc. I am surprised at the naivety of those for whom such things are a revelation... But how can this affect Bitcoin in general? Influence the open source? - There's no way.

[Ambatman]

This is the beauty of a decentralized system
One where the founder isn't even known.
No it changes nothing.

could it mean changes to Bitcoin’s code are possible?

Why should the release of Epstein file lead to a change in protocol?
It doesn't add up
And even if protocol is changed it doesn't mean anything if majority reject it
Bitcoin follows the longest chain. Majority wins the vote.

[FortuneFollower]

This is the beauty of a decentralized system
One where the founder isn't even known.
No it changes nothing.

could it mean changes to Bitcoin’s code are possible?

Why should the release of Epstein file lead to a change in protocol?
It doesn't add up
And even if protocol is changed it doesn't mean anything if majority reject it
Bitcoin follows the longest chain. Majority wins the vote.

Agreed.

It may only be a case for more flashy "topics" to click-bait people to read through them,nothing more, imo.

[zasad@]

I'm sick of Epstein and all the rumors about him. A ton of correspondence has been found, but do you really think rich people are so stupid that they keep correspondence about their crimes or discuss criminal matters via instant messaging apps?

This leaked information will be 5% truth and 95% gossip and speculation, but let's ask the right questions. What is the purpose of this leak? Didn't we already know that Bitcoin is a project of the American elite or intelligence agencies?

[fikrett]

I'm sick of Epstein and all the rumors about him. A ton of correspondence has been found, but do you really think rich people are so stupid that they keep correspondence about their crimes or discuss criminal matters via instant messaging apps?

This leaked information will be 5% truth and 95% gossip and speculation, but let's ask the right questions. What is the purpose of this leak? Didn't we already know that Bitcoin is a project of the American elite or intelligence agencies?

I agree with everything besides the last part... But I guess each chooses what to believe themselves

[Ruttoshi]

You can't just wake up one morning and say you want to change bitcoin code when such decisions is in the hands of majority of the devs. No one can control the code all alone which makes bitcoin decentralized because the process is very complex which requires collaboration and consensus among the bitcoin community.

Epstein file has nothing to do with bitcoin protocol. No need to worry over spilled milk.

[john_egbert]

You can't just wake up one morning and say you want to change bitcoin code when such decisions is in the hands of majority of the devs. No one can control the code all alone which makes bitcoin decentralized because the process is very complex which requires collaboration and consensus among the bitcoin community.

Epstein file has nothing to do with bitcoin protocol. No need to worry over spilled milk.

It's just a speculation, other than that - anything may be done with that info.. But I think it won't be pushed forward than just spilling such "beans".

And I hope it won't come to "debunking" the core devs for being mentioned at all No need for the drama.

[Catenaccio]

I came across a post on X claiming that 3 out of 5 Bitcoin core developers had connections to Epstein. If that were true, could it mean changes to Bitcoin’s code are possible? I understand Bitcoin is open source, but since some developers were associated with the Media Lab, I’m wondering if such influence could affect the protocol.

Developers can do their works, and create BIP by themselves but any change in Bitcoin protocol must be voted and supported by Bitcoin nodes. It shows that only developers can not do anything to centralized change on Bitcoin protocol, they need support from Bitcoin community. 3 or 5 Bitcoin core developers can not do this job, never in Bitcoin history so far and in the future as well.

Bitcoin can be used for many things and Epstein files are not reasons to make Bitcoin looks worse if it was used by people engaged deeply in their relationships with Epstein. It can be criticized and attacked this way on media or governments but please don't let they fool you with such non sense attacks. Good people use bitcoins in their good ways, bad people use bitcoins in their bad ways, but they don't change what Bitcoin and its open accessible for everyone.

BIP is for Bitcoin Improvement Proposal
https://github.com/bitcoin/bips

[crwth]

"What ifs" are really something to ignore just because they're not going to be real. It's somewhat of a false hope or an unrealistic idea that doesn't work. I'm not saying it's bad, but it's just not going to happen ^{most of the time}

Well, to be fair, there are a lot of developers for Bitcoin, and it's just not "5 people." It's being reviewed, maintained, tested, operated, and mined. That's a lot of people to include in the file. It's a consensus thing, so it's not a few.

All the things that have come in Bitcoin's way, bugs, vulnerabilities, it has overcomed it and patched. And a file that doesn't mean anything, or a lack of evidence, wouldn't do a thing.

[Darker45]

And what's new with Bitcoin being at question? Bitcoin was already this questionable innovation from a questionable name right from the start. If it grew to become what it is today despite all the questions and associations in the past, what makes you think this time it's different?

Should we be shaken today because a few Bitcoin developers were allegedly linked to Epstein in the past? Was Bitcoin not already a currency for the gamblers, pedophiles, launderers, criminals, traffickers, and the like more than a decade ago? Look where it is now!

And whatever you're worried about the code, don't trust, verify. Bitcoin is transparent. It's public.

[CONVOAI]

The Epstein file was recently revealed, but from what I’ve learned, this Epstein existed for a long time secretly. If it were possible to change Bitcoin’s code, then those developers would have been involved with Epstein, so they could have done it much earlier. Actually, it's impossible to say what will happen in the future; let's see what happens.

[asriloni]

I came across a post on X claiming that 3 out of 5 Bitcoin core developers had connections to Epstein. If that were true, could it mean changes to Bitcoin’s code are possible? I understand Bitcoin is open source, but since some developers were associated with the Media Lab, I’m wondering if such influence could affect the protocol.

Changing the Bitcoin code is possible, but implementing it on the live network needs approval by majority of Bitcoin miners. So, i think even if some of Bitcoin core developers had connection to Eipstein, Bitcoin is still safe since it's truly decentralized.

Bitcoin is not same as alt-chain ran by only a few nodes, and any change could be implemented immediately.

[Die_empty]

I came across a post on X claiming that 3 out of 5 Bitcoin core developers had connections to Epstein. If that were true, could it mean changes to Bitcoin’s code are possible? I understand Bitcoin is open source, but since some developers were associated with the Media Lab, I’m wondering if such influence could affect the protocol.

To cover up his criminal activities, Jeffrey Epstein donated to many noble causes. He financially supported university projects, research, non-governmental organisations and even politicians. His donation to the Media Lab or association with early Bitcoin adopters would not affect Bitcoin in any aspect of the ecosystem. Bitcoin was not the only currency or project he was associated with. So why the emphasis on Bitcoin?       

[obuoma]

could it mean changes to Bitcoin’s code are possible?

Why should the release of Epstein file lead to a change in protocol?
It doesn't add up
And even if protocol is changed it doesn't mean anything if majority reject it
Bitcoin follows the longest chain. Majority wins the vote.

I'm not saying that Bitcoin will be affected by the revelation of the Epstein files but in a situation whereby 3 out the 5 core Bitcoin developers are involved, it becomes worrisome. What if they are convicted, that will definitely send some panic to the Bitcoin community and we know what such panics can do to the price of Bitcoin. I'm optimistic that this will not lead to any major effect on Bitcoin and the protocol since we are already in a red market, that will spell doom for everybody.

[d5000]

I came across a post on X claiming that 3 out of 5 Bitcoin core developers had connections to Epstein. If that were true, could it mean changes to Bitcoin’s code are possible? I understand Bitcoin is open source, but since some developers were associated with the Media Lab, I’m wondering if such influence could affect the protocol.

The document talks mainly about Gavin Andresen, who was a controversial figure back then, and left Bitcoin Core in 2016, so at most he was 1-2 years "involved with Epstein" (as others have said, it seems to have been simply a donation to a MIT initiative who paid the devs for some time). Then they talk about a Wladimir (probably Wladimir Van Der Laan) and a Cory (I guess Cory Fields). I don't remember them but I'm almost sure they are also not involved anymore with Bitcoin Core (Wladimir renounced to all privileges in 2023).

So we have now a completely other generation of coders who are sponsored by different entities or collaborating freely. Gavin was one of the guys who supported a block size increase in 2017, and was "overruled" by the other devs who preferred Segwit, so this shows that the internal power structure of Bitcoin always worked as expected, and nobody (not even a super-rich guy like Epstein) could exercise too much influence on the code.

[Renampun]

The personal affairs of the core developers with regard to Bitcoin are irrelevant because they are only a handful of Bitcoin's core developers, so their dealings with Epstein are their own business, while Bitcoin continues to run as usual without any problems or the need for protocol changes due to this issue.