Epstein considered funding new Zimbabwean currency

Newly released Department of Justice (DOJ) files on the late convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein reveal that he and Japanese entrepreneur Joichi Ito explored the idea of funding a new Zimbabwean currency back in 2015.

In emails dated June 12, 2015, Epstein described Zimbabwe as a "petrie dish" - a slang term for an environment ripe for experimentation—and suggested that he and Ito could help create a new economy for the country.

"…can easily get his attention. Zimbabwe would be a great petrie dish. It is also supposed to be beautiful," Epstein wrote to Ito. "We should approach him and provide a new currency/economy."

Ito expressed surprise that Epstein had personal ties to Zimbabwe's former President, Robert Mugabe, replying: "You mean Mugabe? Are you buddies? Ha! Amazing."

At the time, Zimbabwe primarily used the US dollar as legal tender following a period of hyperinflation that decimated the Zimbabwean Dollar. While Epstein's emails coincided with plans for currency reform, including the introduction of Bond Notes and Bond Coins in 2016, there is no evidence Epstein directly participated in Zimbabwe's monetary changes.

The Bond Notes and Coins were pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, later replaced by the RTGS Dollar in 2019, and subsequently the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) - making it Zimbabwe's sixth currency since independence.

The released files also suggest Epstein managed or advised on the wealth of other global leaders, including Robert Mugabe and Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting the reach of his financial networks prior to his death.

This revelation adds a new layer to the already complex history of Zimbabwean currency reform and the global circles in which Epstein operated.