Behind the Bastards

Part Two: How Jeffrey Epstein Helped Build the Modern World

February 19, 2026

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  • Jeffrey Epstein actively influenced the development and normalization of aggressive microtransaction strategies in video games by advising Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, suggesting games should prioritize addiction and profit over education. 
  • Epstein maintained transactional relationships with associates like Brock Pierce, where he both supplied and received young women, and later leveraged his influence to insert himself into the foundational stages of major cryptocurrency ventures like Tether and Coinbase. 
  • Epstein's financial backing of the MIT Media Lab allowed him to effectively 'buy' the salaries of three of the five core Bitcoin developers during a critical period, granting him significant, albeit indirect, influence over the future direction of Bitcoin's code. 
  • Jeffrey Epstein exerted significant influence over the development of Bitcoin by funding core developers through MIT systems, even if he wasn't directly writing the code. 
  • The defense that Epstein's funding was purely altruistic or that developers were unaware of the source is dismissed, as his financial support placed him in a position to guide the direction of cryptocurrency. 
  • Beyond the sex crimes, the discussion highlights that Jeffrey Epstein was an influential figure in finance, technology (like crypto), and is set up to be discussed in relation to the burgeoning far-right in future episodes of Behind the Bastards, Part Two: How Jeffrey Epstein Helped Build the Modern World. 

Segments

Epstein’s Humanizing Frustrations
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(00:05:31)
  • Key Takeaway: The difficulty in analyzing Jeffrey Epstein’s files stems from confronting his idiosyncratic, human-like communication methods, which obscure full understanding of his actions.
  • Summary: Epstein used nicknames and unique phrasing in emails, making interpretation challenging for those outside his immediate circle. This human aspect contrasts sharply with the monstrous nature of his crimes. The hosts note that this ambiguity means much of his true intent will remain unknown.
Epstein and Brock Pierce Exchanges
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(00:06:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Brock Pierce evolved from being supplied girls by Epstein to actively connecting Epstein with new girls, indicating a deepening, reciprocal relationship.
  • Summary: Epstein inquired about a girl named ’little Susie’ connected to Pierce, suggesting Epstein viewed this relationship as leverage over Pierce. Pierce later initiated contact by offering a girl to Epstein, marking an evolution in their dynamic. The hosts characterize their casual discussion of trafficking as akin to discussing recreational drug use.
Epstein’s Influence on Kotick
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(00:11:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Jeffrey Epstein actively influenced Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick’s views on video game monetization, specifically encouraging aggressive microtransaction strategies.
  • Summary: Epstein and Kotick were in regular contact by 2012, and Epstein advised Kotick ahead of a meeting with the NYC Department of Education Chancellor. Epstein argued that video games were already effective at teaching, advocating for using computers to replace or augment teachers. His ultimate conclusion was that ‘Edutainment is for pussies,’ advocating for keeping ‘boobs and guns and profit’ to addict children and subvert education.
Kotick’s Response to Monetization
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(00:23:10)
  • Key Takeaway: Bobby Kotick immediately validated Epstein’s focus on profit and addiction over education by suggesting real-world rewards like cell phone minutes and virtual items for learning.
  • Summary: Kotick did not reject Epstein’s radical ideas; instead, he focused on the monetization aspect, suggesting real-world rewards tied to game engagement. Pablos Holman, also looped into the conversation, sarcastically supported indoctrinating kids into an economy using virtual items as rewards. This exchange highlights the industry’s pivot toward aggressive monetization, which Epstein championed.
Epstein’s Crypto Involvement: Tether
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(00:34:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Epstein was a foundational figure in the development of Tether, a stablecoin, by advising Brock Pierce and helping secure the necessary banking partnership to give the cryptocurrency the appearance of legitimacy.
  • Summary: Tether was designed as a stablecoin, ostensibly pegged to the US dollar to reduce crypto volatility and attract mainstream investment, which Epstein promoted to finance figures like Bill Gross. Epstein helped Pierce secure a deal with Noble Bank in Puerto Rico to act as the cash-backing institution for Tether. This involvement shows Epstein pushing crypto past its initial libertarian phase toward replicating features of the traditional financial system for widespread adoption.
Epstein’s Coinbase Investment
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(00:42:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Coinbase founders knowingly accepted a $3 million investment from Epstein, confirming his status as a major funder despite his prior child sex trafficking conviction.
  • Summary: Brock Pierce sought Epstein’s permission to disclose his identity to the Coinbase founders before closing the deal, acknowledging the legal risk of concealing a major investor’s criminal history. The Coinbase founders accepted Epstein’s funding, demonstrating the willingness of powerful figures in the emerging tech sector to overlook his crimes for capital. This investment positioned Epstein as a key financial backer for what became a dominant cryptocurrency exchange.
Epstein’s Bitcoin Funding Influence
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(00:58:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Epstein’s money flowed through MIT systems to fund Bitcoin core developers, giving him positional influence over the currency’s future.
  • Summary: Jeffrey Epstein funded salaries for Bitcoin core developers, including Vladimir Wanderland, between 2015 and 2017 via MIT systems. Paying the salaries of three out of five key voting developers implies a significant ability to influence Bitcoin’s direction. The argument that he didn’t ‘run’ Bitcoin because he wasn’t a senior manager is dismissed as a technicality masking real influence.
Defending Epstein’s Financial Motives
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(00:59:48)
  • Key Takeaway: The counter-argument that Epstein spent money without seeking benefit is illogical given his character and the nature of exerting influence.
  • Summary: The idea that Epstein spent half a million dollars on Bitcoin development with no desire for power or benefit is deemed highly unlikely. Influence can be exerted simply by preventing competitors from gaining traction, even if Epstein did nothing actively. Emails confirm Joy Ito thanked Epstein for enabling quick movement and hiring Bitcoin talent.
Epstein’s Crypto Connections and Skills
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(01:02:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Epstein’s primary skill in the crypto space was leveraging his network to connect people to wealth and influence, rather than coding expertise.
  • Summary: While there is no evidence Epstein touched Bitcoin’s code, he was clearly influencing its development by positioning himself near key figures. He reportedly invested in Blockstream in 2014 via Joy Ito’s fund, though this connection was later denied. His ability to name-drop Satoshi’s associates at parties provided value by connecting others to influential people and funding.
Epstein’s Odious Nature Beyond Crimes
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(01:03:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Jeffrey Epstein would still be considered a monster due to his general odious behavior and influence, even without the sex trafficking.
  • Summary: The hosts note that Epstein’s character was deeply flawed even setting aside the sex crimes, suggesting he was more influential than just an ‘asshole finance bro.’ This influence extended into areas like microtransactions, cryptocurrency, and connections to the far-right. The discussion sets up future episodes focusing on these non-sex-crime aspects of his influence.
Podcast Outro and AI Joke
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(01:05:31)
  • Key Takeaway: The subreddit jokingly accused the show’s AI assistant, Sophie, of being a construct whose name anagrams to sinister phrases.
  • Summary: The host reveals that the subreddit has a running joke claiming Sophie is not a real person but an advanced AI serving the podcast. Proof cited is that ‘Sophie Ray Lichterman’ is an anagram for ‘AI Policeman Thresher’ and ‘America’s Hitler phone.’ The hosts find the amount of effort conspiracy theorists attribute to anagramming by elites amusing.