Recently released files by the U.S. Department of Justice indicate that Latvian scientist Madars Virza maintained regular contact with Jeffrey Epstein in the latter's final years. Their acquaintance began at a prestigious institution where Epstein's donations and visits to faculty sparked scandals and resignations. The correspondence released shows that Virza later discussed cryptocurrency business opportunities with Epstein, suggesting a deeper level of involvement than previously understood.

The document also reveals that Epstein introduced Virza to Steve Bannon, a right-wing publicist and former member of Donald Trump's team who was active in Europe at the time. Bannon was known for assisting populist parties and campaigning against Pope Francis, thus entwining Virza's contacts further in the political and financial scandals that surrounded Epstein. The connections being uncovered highlight the potentially precarious nature of Virza's dealings and his associations with controversial figures.

Virza, who left for the U.S. approximately fifteen years ago to study at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), initially expressed aspirations to focus on cryptocurrency. Now, revelations about his relationship with Epstein raise questions about the ethical implications of such connections and the broader ramifications for the reputation of cryptocurrency and its proponents in the wake of ongoing investigations into Epstein's network and its implications.