Jeffrey Epstein invested $40 million into Valar Ventures, a firm co-founded by Peter Thiel, between 2015 and 2016, with the sum now valued at nearly $170 million, according to a New York Times report.

Why it matters: The financial connection between Epstein, who was a convicted sex offender, and Thiel, a leading tech billionaire, prompts questions about Epstein’s influence in Silicon Valley and the tech elite’s previous associations with him.

Driving the news: On Wednesday, the New York Times disclosed investment details using confidential financial analysis from Epstein’s estate and a Valar Ventures statement, highlighting a major connection before Epstein’s death in 2019.

• The investment was made into Valar Ventures, a venture capital firm named after a Tolkien mythos creature, co-founded by Thiel.
• Epstein’s estate continues to benefit from the now-$170 million valuation, per the report.
• This period coincided with Epstein’s efforts to rehabilitate his image post-2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution.

Catch up quick: During his attempt to rehabilitate his image, Epstein, known for his vast network of influential contacts, invested in tech and science endeavors. Other tech leaders such as Larry Page, Sergei Brin, Reid Hoffman, and Bill Gates have faced examination over ties to Epstein, with Elon Musk being subpoenaed in 2023 in a related matter.

The intrigue: Thiel, who has often discussed Epstein in abstract cultural terms, now faces scrutiny for a direct financial connection, previously hinted at in a 2023 Rolling Stone report.

Between the lines: Epstein’s investment strategy may have aimed to leverage his wealth to gain favor among tech leaders, a tactic that contrasts with Thiel’s public stance distancing himself from Epstein’s actions.

What they’re saying:

• The New York Times reported that Epstein’s $40 million investment into Valar Ventures, now worth nearly $170 million, underscores a lucrative tie to Thiel’s firm.

The bottom line: This revelation deepens the narrative of Epstein’s reach into tech circles, prompting renewed calls for transparency about his dealings with influential figures like Thiel, whose responses remain pending.