Recent documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice related to Jeffrey Epstein have sparked online discussion about Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. The files include emails from around 2017 mentioning Buterin and Russian-born venture capitalist Masha Drokova, now known as Masha Bucher, founder of Day One Ventures.
In one highlighted email, Drokova reportedly wrote to Epstein or an associate that she had found a “super smart and young blockchain enthusiast in Russia” who could be “better than Vitalik Buterin if he focuses on technology.” The message, shared in snippets online, has fueled speculation that Drokova was promoting another blockchain talent.
Some social media users interpreted this as evidence that Epstein had allegedly attempted to “trap” Buterin but failed, leading Drokova to present a Russian alternative. However, there is no direct evidence in the documents that Epstein personally targeted or tried to compromise Buterin.
Epstein’s broader involvement in the cryptocurrency space is documented, including a $3 million investment in Coinbase in 2014 and indirect mentions of Bitcoin figures in emails. But none of the files confirm any illegal or coercive activity involving Buterin. Buterin has never publicly commented on the documents, and past comments on related rumors show him dismissing indirect connections as exaggerated.
Drokova, a former pro-Putin youth activist turned Silicon Valley investor, appears in the emails promoting Russian blockchain talent. Analysts say her email seems promotional rather than indicative of any illicit activity.
The release of these documents has reignited online speculation about Epstein’s ties to tech and crypto. Forums like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) have seen intense discussion, though mainstream news outlets have not independently verified claims of any “trap” attempt on Buterin.
Vitalik Buterin remains a leading figure in cryptocurrency, with no confirmed connection to Epstein beyond these speculative threads.
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