From cowrie shells to the first banknotes and digital currencies, this documentary series takes a critical look at how money shapes societies and determines our lives.

In Germany, France and the UK, early years childcare is increasingly being privatised, paradoxically with massive public subsidies. But where does the public money go? 

Billie visits her parents’ country for the first time. Can she uncover her family’s secrets before she has to flee?

Every year, private daycare providers receive 1.3 billion euros from the French taxpayer. But where is all this public money going?

The European Union is based on an incomplete economic union and banking union. Without genuine sovereignty at a European level the currency remains ‘incomplete’.

The dollar remains the world’s reserve currency. Could China upend American hegemony?

 A look behind the scenes of an unscrupulous industry that seems to have no regard for children and their families.

A world without money? It is hard to imagine. But did bartering lead to money as we know it today?

Invented 2700 years ago, money has fuelled empires, trade and wars, and has changed the course of civilisation.

From the 4th century BC onwards, the great powers that were empires used money to service their expansion. 

War in Ukraine, interference in Moldova, and Soviet Eurovision in Moscow, Russia extends its influence by any means necessary.

How did Europe and America start to use paper money?

How China revolutionised trade with bronze coins and paper money centuries before the West.

Mexicans are receiving much less money in remittances from family living in the United States, affecting the economy.

A look back at the Jeffrey Epstein's life and how the Epstein Files are exposing corruption at the highest level.

If I borrow 500,000 euros from the bank, then the bank creates this money out of thin air. What's the catch?

Our reporters filmed inside Libya’s detention centres where migrants intercepted while trying to reach Europe are held.

By 1750, British colonies in North America had already attracted almost 100,000 German-speaking immigrants

It's the eternal question: Does money really make us happy? Ronja von Rönne meets two millionaires to find out.