Former Ripple CTO David Schwartz recently spoke out regarding speculation connecting Ripple, Stellar, and Jeffrey Epstein. He stated that he is not a conspiracy theorist but wanted to provide clarity. His comments were aimed at addressing circulating claims and clarifying the situation for the cryptocurrency community.
The Email from Austin Hill
Austin Hill, co-founder of Blockstream, sent the email on July 31, 2014. It was addressed to Epstein and Joichi Ito, the director of the MIT Media Lab. The subject line referred to Stellar. Hill noted familiarity with Stellar’s founder, Jed McCaleb, and his team.
He expressed concern that investors were supporting multiple projects, including Ripple and Stellar. Hill stated that this could harm the ecosystem his company was building and suggested reducing or removing allocations from projects viewed as competitive. He offered to discuss a fair solution to address these concerns.
I hate to be a conspiracy theorist, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if this is just the tip of a giant iceberg.https://t.co/ArqNp0ZhK5 pic.twitter.com/ibRXHc6uNh
— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) January 31, 2026
Early Competition in Crypto
The email shows competitive challenges in the early cryptocurrency market. Investors often backed multiple projects, creating potential conflicts of interest. Hill’s message shows the perspective of a founder protecting his company and its investors. References to Ripple and Stellar in the Epstein files relate to strategic and financial concerns rather than operational or financial involvement.
Schwartz’s Clarification
Schwartz previously clarified that he is unaware of any connection between Epstein and Ripple, XRP, or Stellar. He confirmed that no one associated with Ripple or Stellar ever met Epstein or anyone closely tied to him. He added that indirect links between Epstein and figures connected to Bitcoin exist, but such connections are common among wealthy individuals.
This context confirms that Ripple and Stellar were independent of Epstein-related activities. The 2014 email and image in the Epstein files do not indicate any influence on Ripple’s operations or XRP development. The references in the email relate to investor competition, not external interference.
We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1
— TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025
Broader Possibilities
Schwartz shared an intriguing comment, noting that this email could be just the tip of the iceberg. This suggests that there are still more undiscovered connections between Epstein and the crypto space. Some have suggested that former SEC Chair Gary Gensler was sent after Ripple, and they have linked this move to Epstein’s early involvement in Bitcoin-led initiatives.
Schwartz’s theory of a deeper connection could include indirect relationships, investment overlaps, or historical communications among individuals and projects.
While such possibilities exist, he made it clear that none of these scenarios directly involve Ripple, XRP, or Stellar. For the XRP community, the focus remains on adoption, usage, and operational growth.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
Follow us on X, Facebook, Telegram, and Google News
