General Discussion

In addition, Epstein assured Belyakov of his faith in Russia’s great ideas and suggested various innovative solutions.

One of these was the so-called ‘new Bank’ that “could be modeled after a capitalistic commercial bank, lending 9 times its reserves NOT the world bank, those models are antiquated”, he proposed. Epstein also suggested launching an alternative to bitcoin known as BRIC and the possibility of providing loans worth ‘500 billion’ (though he did not specify the currency). Moreover, Epstein believed that Russia could create new currencies pegged to oil or develop ‘smart contracts’ regulated by computers. In addition, Epstein shared his views on the Russian economy with Belyakov. For example, when in December 2014 the Russian Central Bank raised its benchmark rate to 17 per cent, Epstein wrote: «Bad advice to raise rates. it sends the wrong sign.»

Epstein also offered Belyakov his help with securing guests for SPIEF, as many refused to come in light of the sanctions imposed on Russia following the annexation of Crimea. (Belyakov coordinated the Forum while still serving as Deputy Minister.) In turn, in July 2014, Belyakov helped with Epstein’s application for a Russian visa and was planning to set up meetings for him with the Deputy Finance Minister, Sergei Storchak, and the Central Bank Deputy Chairman, Alexei Simanovsky (or the Minister for Economic Development, Alexei Ulyukayev). Whether this visit by Epstein actually took place is unknown. In August 2014, however, Belyakov was fired from his ministerial post after publicly criticizing the government’s decision to extend the freezing of the investment part of state pensions. It was then that he became the head of the SPIEF Foundation.
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The Dossier Center suspects that Sergei Belyakov could be the tip of the iceberg in the links between Russian elites and Jeffrey Epstein. If you have anything to contribute to our investigation, please get in touch:

https://dossier.center/jeffreyepsteinrusconnect-en/