In “Currency and the Alchemy of Trust: Secrets of Value from Shells to Blockchain”, we venture into the essence of what makes money more than just metal, paper, or code: trust. Building on our explorations of value, trade, and influence, this episode uncovers how belief transforms mere objects into powerful symbols of worth. Through riveting stories—from 1930s Austria’s Wörgl experiment and WWII POW camps to early Chinese banknotes and local shell currencies—we reveal the fragile yet resilient alchemy that keeps economies alive. As we bridge these historical curiosities with today’s digital currencies and community-based economies, we pose a question: can trust in currency hold strong in a digital future?