Epstein reaches out to Gross about "mutual interest," mentioning Brock Pierce (early crypto entrepreneur, co-founder of Tether, Blockchain Capital, etc.).

Gross responds that he doesn't know Pierce.

Epstein then elaborates on Bitcoin's strengths (algorithmic limited supply, unlike gold) but highlights major issues: government dislike due to money laundering/transmitting risks, potential tax complications on every transaction, and how early Bitcoin proponents ("the bitcoin guys") visited him and were willing to face jail for their ideas.

He suggests there's a way forward but "it turns the bitcoin model on its head."

In one line, Epstein floats the idea of a new version of Bitcoin (possibly cleaner or more compliant), involving Brock Pierce, and quotes someone (likely in context of a "new" crypto asset) saying: "maybe we can call it something indicating it's value is Tethered to a real world currency" — with a note that it's "not as easily traceable, and made a clear they were willing to go to jail for their ideas."