Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Sunday Morning 5-4-25

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

PRO-CRYPTO DEMOCRATS PULL SUPPORT FOR STABLECOIN BILL IN LAST MINUTE

A group of nine US Senate Democrats say they will oppose the stablecoin bill in its current form, threatening its chances of passing.

A group of US Senate Democrats known for supporting the crypto industry have said they would oppose a Republican-led stablecoin bill if it moves forward in its current form.

The move threatens to stall legislation that could establish the first US regulatory framework for stablecoins, according to a May 3 report from Politico.

Per the report, nine Senate Democrats said in a joint statement that the bill “still has numerous issues that must be addressed.” They warned they would not support a procedural vote to advance the legislation unless changes are made.

Among the signatories were Senators Ruben Gallego, Mark Warner, Lisa Blunt Rochester and Andy Kim — all of whom had previously backed the bill when it passed through the Senate Banking Committee in March.

The bill, introduced by Senator Bill Hagerty, is formally known as the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act.

Senate prepares to vote on stablecoin bill

The Senate is expected to begin floor consideration of the bill in the coming days, with the first vote potentially taking place next week.

The bill has been championed by the crypto industry as a landmark step toward regulatory clarity. However, the Democrats’ about-face reflects growing unease within the party.

Although revisions were made to the bill after its committee approval to address Democratic concerns, the lawmakers said the changes fell short. They called for stronger safeguards related to:

• Anti-Money Laundering

• National Security

• Foreign Issuers

• Accountability measures for noncompliant actors

The statement was also signed by Senators Raphael Warnock, Catherine Cortez Masto, Ben Ray Luján, John Hickenlooper and Adam Schiff.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Angela Alsobrooks were absent from the list, who co-sponsored the bill alongside Hagerty.

Despite their objections, the Democratic senators emphasized their commitment to shaping responsible crypto regulation. They reportedly said they “are eager to continue working with our colleagues to address these issues.”

Crypto needs a stablecoin bill

On April 27, Caitlin Long, founder and CEO of Custodia Bank, criticized the US Federal Reserve for quietly maintaining a key anti-crypto policy that favors big-bank-issued stablecoins, despite relaxing crypto partnership rules for banks.

Long explained that while the Fed recently rescinded four prior crypto guidelines, a Jan. 27, 2023, statement was left intact in coordination with the Biden administration.

The guidance, according to Long, blocks banks from engaging directly with crypto assets and prohibits them from issuing stablecoins on permissionless blockchains.

However, Long noted that once a federal stablecoin bill becomes law, it could override the Fed’s stance. “Congress should hurry up,” she urged.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  CoinTelegraph

BRICS ACCELERATES CURRENCY SHIFT WITH NEW TRADE TOOLS AND PAYMENT SYSTEMS

BRICS nations are turbocharging their break from Western-dominated finance, advancing local currency trade, cross-border payment systems, and groundbreaking investment platforms to empower the Global South.

BRICS Ministers Push Local Currencies, Cross-Border Payment Plan, and New Investment Platforms

Foreign ministers from the BRICS countries highlighted their commitment to shifting away from reliance on dominant global currencies during a meeting in Rio de Janeiro earlier this week. The official Chair’s Statement from the Meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers emphasized expanding the use of local currencies in trade and financial transactions within the bloc and with partner countries.

The meeting, hosted under Brazil’s 2025 BRICS Chairship, underscored the group’s intention to enhance economic sovereignty and regional cooperation through new monetary tools. The statement details:

The ministers underscored the importance of the enhanced use of local currencies in trade and financial settlements between BRICS countries and their trade partners.

They referenced paragraph 66 of the Kazan Declaration, which directs finance ministers and central bank governors to continue examining the use of:

• Local currencies

• Payment instruments and platforms

This includes assessing the feasibility of a BRICS cross-border payments initiative, known as BRICS Clear, and enhancing the bloc’s reinsurance capacity, with a mandate to report findings to BRICS leaders. These initiatives are viewed as essential to:

• Deepening financial integration among BRICS members

• Reducing vulnerabilities associated with external economic shocks

The group also reaffirmed its commitment to fostering investment within its own ranks and across the Global South. The statement notes:

They emphasized the importance of continuously expanding local currency financing and strengthening innovation in investment and financing tools and acknowledging the initiative to create new investment platform to boost investment flows into BRICS countries and the Global South mechanisms.

This strategy aligns with broader goals of:

• Financial inclusivity

• Economic resilience

• A transition toward a multipolar economic system that better reflects the interests of emerging markets and developing countries

The focus on local currencies and financial platforms complements ongoing discussions around BRICS-led alternatives to existing global payment systems. Ministers are expected to deliver concrete proposals for BRICS leaders to review, building on the momentum created by prior declarations and new institutional frameworks designed to accelerate intra-bloc economic collaboration.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Bitcoin News

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The Economy is Officially Shrinking

The Economy is Officially Shrinking

Heresy Financial:  5-3-2025

The news is in: the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has turned negative, signaling an official economic contraction.

This isn’t just a headline; it’s a seismic shift impacting every facet of our financial lives. Heresy Financial unpacks the situation, revealing what’s truly happening and what smart investors should do next.

While the negative GDP figure grabs headlines, understanding its nuances is crucial. Many interpret this solely as a recessionary indicator, but the reality is more complex.

The headline figure masks underlying factors, often overlooked in simplistic pronouncements of economic doom. A deeper dive is necessary to understand the contributing factors and their potential long-term effects.

Many analyses focus solely on the immediate impact of the negative GDP, neglecting the broader context. Common misconceptions include oversimplifying the relationship between GDP and individual financial wellbeing, failing to account for diverse economic sectors, and ignoring the influence of global events on the domestic economy.

Heresy Financial stresses the importance of looking beyond the single data point and considering a holistic view of the economic landscape.

Global trade dynamics, particularly the impact of tariffs and trade wars, play a significant role in the current economic downturn. These policies disrupt supply chains, increase costs for businesses and consumers, and contribute to overall economic uncertainty.

Understanding the ripple effects of these international trade policies is critical to forecasting future economic trends.

Inflation’s corrosive effect on purchasing power is often underestimated. While rising prices are acknowledged, the full extent of their influence on consumer spending, business investment, and overall economic growth is frequently overlooked. Heresy Financial emphasizes the necessity of factoring in the real impact of inflation, adjusted for purchasing power, rather than relying solely on nominal GDP figures.

The role of government spending in the current economic climate is highly debated. While some argue that increased government spending can stimulate economic activity, others contend it can exacerbate existing problems, leading to inflation and unsustainable debt levels. Heresy Financial delves into this complex issue, examining the potential benefits and drawbacks of government intervention, considering the specific context and potential unintended consequences.

The current economic contraction demands careful consideration and a strategic approach. By understanding the complexities beyond the headline figures and taking proactive steps, investors can navigate the turbulent waters and potentially emerge stronger in the long run.

 The insights offered by Heresy Financial provide a crucial framework for making informed decisions in these challenging times.

https://youtu.be/5dbjMUKMY6g

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Saturday Afternoon 5-3-25

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

BRICS 2025 SUMMIT COULD BE GAME-CHANGER FOR THE US DOLLAR

Just months into 2025, geopolitical tensions are shaking global markets — especially between the US and the BRICS economic alliance. As a result, the upcoming BRICS 2025 Summit may prove to be a turning point for the US dollar.

For years, BRICS nations have pursued de-dollarization, aiming to reduce reliance on the greenback. With the US leaning into America-first trade policies and further weaponizing the dollar, the bloc’s resolve may now be firmer than ever.

Why the BRICS 2025 Summit Matters

The annual BRICS summit has become the alliance’s most critical platform for economic coordination. Past gatherings have focused on:

• Expanding membership

• Developing alternative currency mechanisms

This year’s summit — dubbed the “Rio Reset” — is expected to be the most pivotal yet, particularly as Brazil holds the BRICS chairmanship and pushes for redefining global currency norms.

According to Birch Gold Group, the summit is “rumored to be a significant monetary development that will disrupt the dollar-based global financial system.”

“I’m convinced BRICS will make history this summer,” says analyst Peter Reagan.

Pressure on the US Dollar Builds

Since President Donald Trump’s return to office, his administration has introduced tariffs and protectionist policies, prompting the US dollar to fall 10% in just his first 100 days.

Without new trade deals, continued depreciation of the dollar seems likely. This only strengthens BRICS’s incentives to push forward with currency diversification and new international monetary tools.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Watcher Guru

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ANALYSIS: RIPPLE MAKES BID FOR STABLECOIN ISSUER CIRCLE – REPORT

Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that Ripple made a $4–$5 billion bid for Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin. Circle rejected the offer, viewing it as too low. This comes as Circle filed for an NYSE listing earlier this month.

Despite generating $1.67 billion in 2024 revenue, Circle earned just $156 million in profit, due to 60% of revenue being paid out to distributors, especially Coinbase.

Why Ripple Wants Circle

Ripple’s interest makes strategic sense. It recently launched its own stablecoin, RLUSD, which just passed $300 million in market cap. By contrast, Circle’s USDC stands at $61 billion. Both aim at institutional markets, creating a major overlap in target audience.

Moreover, Ripple is cash-rich. It holds:

• 4.5 billion XRP outright (worth ~$10 billion),

• 38 billion XRP in escrow,

• Plus, it committed $1.25 billion to acquire prime broker Hidden Road.

XRP’s Speculative Valuation

Ripple's XRP holdings enable large acquisitions, but its price is highly speculative:

• XRP’s market cap is ~58% of Ethereum’s.

• Yet, Ethereum has ~20x more daily active users (~465k vs. XRP’s ~23k).

• Developer activity and ecosystem growth also heavily favor Ethereum.

So while it’s a good time to spend XRP, any acquisition requiring the recipient to hold XRP carries pricing risk.

Circle’s Institutional Edge

Circle is deeply entrenched in institutional finance:

• Partners with BlackRock to manage reserves,

• Custody by BNY Mellon,

• Recently linked to stablecoin collateral for listed derivatives,

• Favored in CFTC tokenized collateral pilots.

Ripple, although a late entrant, wants in. It already:

• Acquired Metaco ($250M) for custody solutions,

• Worked with emerging market CBDC pilots,

• Serves institutional cross-border payments.

Why Circle Rejected the Offer

Circle is pursuing an IPO expected to value it around $4–$5 billion, the same range as Ripple’s offer.

But:

• Founders retain Class B shares with 5x voting power,

• CEO Jeremy Allaire has IPO experience (sold Allaire Corp to Macromedia),

• This IPO is a launchpad—not an exit.

Given Circle’s years of pivots (e.g., Poloniex acquisition, Circle Pay wallet) and the long road to USDC’s success, a $5B sale isn’t attractive, especially if paid partly in volatile XRP.

Bottom Line

Ripple’s bid is strategically sound, but to succeed, it may need to significantly raise the offer — and reduce XRP exposure for any future acquisition deal.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Ledger Insights

~~~~~~~~~

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“Tidbits From TNT” Saturday 5-3-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  Iraq seeks to strengthen long-term economic partnership with Brazil

On Thursday, Minister of Commerce Athir Al-Ghurairi discussed ways to strengthen the economic and trade partnership with Brazil, signing a contract with his Brazilian counterpart, Geraldo Alckmin, during his visit to the country.

Al-Ghariri said in a statement received by Al-Akhbari: "The government is keen to expand cooperation with Brazil and strengthen economic partnerships with them."

He added that "the possibility of supplying the Brazilian side with shipments of Iraqi oil was discussed, within the framework of bilateral cooperation and meeting the Brazilian market's energy needs," stressing "the importance of building a long-term strategic partnership based on shared interests and mutual opportunities."

The Minister of Trade affirmed "Iraq's readiness to provide all possible facilities to Brazilian investors," calling for "the organization of a comprehensive exhibition of Brazilian industries in Baghdad to serve as a platform for promoting Brazilian products and expanding the base of trade and investment cooperation."

He pointed out that "there are significant opportunities, supported by sovereign guarantees provided by the Iraqi government to Brazilian companies, to encourage real partnerships with the Iraqi private sector."  link

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Tishwash:  A representative reveals the reason for the government's withdrawal of tax funds: The US Federal Reserve has stopped transferring funds to Iraq.

Iraqi parliament member Dr. Raed Hamdan al-Maliki described the United States' control over the transfer of Iraqi oil export revenues as "the greatest violation of the country's sovereignty," calling on the Iraqi government to tell the truth to the people.

In a tweet on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, followed by Iraq Observer, Maliki said that the government's withdrawal of tax funds and their use to cover operating expenses was due to the US Federal Reserve's suspension of oil revenue transfers.

He added, "It appears that the government's reason for withdrawing tax trust funds and using them to cover operating expenses is due to the US Federal Reserve's suspension of the transfer," referring to US measures restricting the movement of Iraqi funds held in international bank accounts.

Al-Maliki called for an end to this situation, saying, “This matter must end, and the government must tell the people the truth.”

The Council of Ministers had previously, in an official decision, authorized the Minister of Finance to withdraw tax deposits less than five years old to finance and pay salaries for April and subsequent months.  

The Ministry of Finance is scheduled to deposit the amount later, as needed, for the state's total. Cash settlements will be made monthly upon request by reversing the deposit amount from the actual monthly revenues collected when conducting tax accounting, according to the decision. link

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Tishwash:  Your deposits are safe: Iraq clarifies bank withdrawals

Iraq’s Finance Ministry dismissed allegations that recent withdrawals from state-owned banks involved citizen deposits, stressing that the transactions used sovereign funds and were carried out in line with federal budgetary procedures.

The ministry clarified in a statement that the funds withdrawn from Al-Rafidain and Al-Rasheed banks were held temporarily for “operational purposes” and reallocated according to administrative and financial instructions tied to the national budget.

The statement followed accusations by several lawmakers, local media outlets, and social media figures alleging that the government had accessed trillions of dinars from public deposits to address fiscal pressures. Some critics drew parallels to foreign banking collapses, prompting concerns over Iraq’s financial stability.

“These funds are not linked to individual accounts or depositors’ savings,” the ministry stated, rejecting the comparisons as “inaccurate and misleading.” It emphasized that Iraq’s banking sector operates under a distinct legal framework and is regulated by the Central Bank, which enforces strict compliance and governance measures.

Officials reported that Al-Rafidain and Al-Rasheed remain financially stable, continuing to disburse salaries, finance public projects, and fulfill obligations to clients. Al-Rafidain Bank holds approximately 9 trillion Iraqi dinars ($6.9B) in legal reserves with the Central Bank.

A document dated April 24 confirmed Al-Rafidain held 4.277 trillion dinars ($3.3B) in unused reserves and 4.263 trillion ($3.25B) in used reserves—totaling over 8.54 trillion dinars ($6.52B)—all of which remain intact, according to the ministry.

Addressing earlier embezzlement incidents, the ministry attributed those cases to prolonged dormancy in escrow accounts, which had been exploited by corrupt networks, noting that new oversight procedures had been introduced in coordination with state banks to strengthen controls and mitigate risks.

The ministry warned that continued dissemination of false claims could damage public confidence and distort perceptions of recent economic progress, highlighting that Iraq’s fiscal reforms and improved transparency had received praise from international institutions, contributing to better credit ratings and increased investor engagement.

Reaffirming its economic policy direction, the ministry called on media professionals and social media users to verify claims and act responsibly. “All official data remains accessible for professional and public review through the ministry and banking channels.”  link

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Mot:  The History of Cinco de Mayo......... ((( What YOu Didnt Learn in History Class ))) .

Did you know that back in 1912, Hellmann's Mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 bottles of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York. This would have been the largest shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico.

The ship hit an iceberg and sank.

The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great they declared a National Day of Mourning.

The National Day of mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as - SINKO DE MAYO.

WHAT??? You expected something educational from me?

You need a shot of Tequila!

Iraq Economic News And Points To Ponder Friday Morning 5-3-25

Prime Minister's Advisor: Tax Deposits Are Part Of The Budget And Are Dependent On Government Spending.

Economy | 10:56 - 02/05/2025   Mawazine News - Baghdad:  The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, confirmed today, Friday, that tax deposits are part of the budget that can be relied upon to adjust government spending, while specifying the financial scope for government spending from tax deposits.

Salih stated that "the world is living in a state of anticipation for fear of entering a phase of economic contraction, and then a great economic depression. This phase takes six months during which growth and unemployment levels in the global economy are monitored."

He pointed out that "Iraq is an important part of the world's energy system, as a 1% decline in the global GDP will undoubtedly lead to a half-percent decline in oil demand, leading to a supply glut, which requires a cautious policy from OPEC+ to help the group's countries protect their financial budgets for 2025 and the beginnings of the next fiscal year, 2026."

He added, "There is a precise technical hedge to confront the oil asset cycle, which the legislator assumed when approving the three-year federal general budget (Law No. 13 of 2023, as amended), by adopting a conservative oil price of $70 per barrel of exported oil, with an export rate of 3.4 million barrels of oil per day.

" He explained that "this hedge is in two directions: the first is spending with a comfortable budget, but at the minimum possible limit of 160 trillion dinars annually instead of 200 trillion dinars annually, and the second direction: spending at the maximum limit while hedging with a maximum annual deficit of 64 trillion dinars."

Saleh continued, "In the 2024 budget, spending was within the comfortable minimum of 156 trillion dinars, with an average oil price of around $75 per barrel. This spending covered the entire operating budget, including salaries, wages, pensions, social care, and support, in addition to spending on more than 8,000 suspended government investment and service projects.

" He pointed out that "government borrowing, most of which is from domestic borrowing sources, recorded a financing indicator in the budget deficit of 7.6% of GDP, compared to 1.3% in 2023."

He pointed out that "if oil prices fall to an annual average of $60, which is the maximum possibility in the 2025 budget, there are two options: either spending around 130 trillion dinars and keeping the deficit financing ratio to GDP the same as in 2024, or spending up to a ceiling of 156 trillion dinars and accepting actual borrowing in bonds that rises to 9% of GDP in order to secure salaries, wages, pensions, social care, support and spending on service projects without interruption, taking into account the drop in oil prices and the contraction in GDP growth in a double manner." https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=261077

Revealing The Progress Rates Achieved In The Grand Faw Port

Money and Business  Economy News – Baghdad  The Ministry of Transport revealed on Friday the latest developments in the Strategic Development Road project, confirming its commitment to the set timetables. It also announced the progress achieved at the Grand Faw Port.

Ministry of Transport spokesperson, Maitham Al-Safi, said, "Work is currently underway to complete the preliminary designs, in preparation for moving to the detailed design phase, in cooperation with specialized consulting firms such as the Italian company (Betti B) for the engineering aspect, and the Oliver Wyman company for financial consulting," stressing their "commitment to the specified timetables."

He pointed out that "the Faw Port project, which is the largest component of the development road project, is witnessing remarkable progress, as five berths have been received, and the completion rate of the navigation channel has reached approximately 85%, while the line linking Faw Port and Umm Qasr City has reached 99%, and this line is scheduled to open and be received next May, and the completion rate of the container yard has reached approximately 90%."

He continued: "Regarding the submerged tunnel in the Khor Al Zubair Canal, the third piece out of ten pieces has been registered, adhering to the timelines," noting: "This tunnel is a unique engineering project in the Middle East."

Al-Safi explained that "other components of the development road project include land and rail transport lines," stressing that "the end of this year will witness the completion of the detailed designs, after which the project will be offered to international companies for implementation." He noted that "the project will be divided into several sections to allow the largest possible number of companies to compete."

He pointed out that "local committees have been formed in the governorates to assist in implementing the development road project. The most recent meeting was with Baghdad Governorate, which will be covered by the project over a distance of 23 kilometers. This region will have the opportunity to benefit from the project."

He added, "The largest industrial city will be built in the port of Faw, along with a tourist resort, a petrochemical plant, and water desalination plants. On both sides of the road, several factories and laboratories will be established to address a number of important issues, in line with the infrastructure needs, as well as the raw materials required for these governorates."

He stressed that "the government has set coordinates for 15 industrial cities that will be linked to the development road project, in addition to a comprehensive plan to connect other governorates not directly covered by the road via internal lines."

Al-Safi added, "As planned, the project includes 27 volumes covering all issues that would achieve local and global economic integration, as the project aims to connect East and West." https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=55039

Oil Prices Fall To Around $62 A Barrel Ahead Of OPEC Meeting

economy | 09:20 - 02/05/2025   Mawazine News - Follow-up:  Oil prices witnessed sharp fluctuations at the end of the week, as traders balanced the possibility of increased supplies from the OPEC+ alliance against the risks of the trade war on demand.

Brent crude fell to $62 a barrel, heading for a weekly loss of more than 7%, while West Texas Intermediate crude stabilized near $59.

The Saudi-led alliance is scheduled to meet next Monday to set supply policy for June, following a report that indicated the possibility of agreeing to a new production increase.
https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=261072

Prime Minister: Iraq Will Not Only Host The Arab Summit, But Will Also Provide Solutions To Various Crises

Friday, May 2, 2025 10:49 | PoliticsNumber of reads: 392  Baghdad / NINA / Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani stressed on Friday that Iraq will not only host the Arab Summit, but will also provide solutions to various crises.

The Prime Minister said in a television interview, according to the official agency: "Iraq will not only host the Arab Summit, but will also be an initiator, providing solutions to the various crises and challenges facing the region.

The presence of the Syrian President at the summit is important, regardless of the political process and the method of change, in order to clarify to the Arab countries a vision for the new Syria," noting that "most Arab countries are keen for Syria to overcome its decades-long ordeal, and we will spare no effort in supporting Syria and respecting its choices."

He added: "We have distinguished relations with Iran and the United States, and the dialogue between them is an important step.

The success of the negotiations between Iran and the United States will not only reflect on the countries of the region, but also on Iraq, which has faced challenges due to the tense relationship between the two countries.

" He pointed out that "we have a successful experience in the security file between Iraq and the United States in leading the international coalition to confront ISIS, and it is hoped that the third round between Iraq and the United States will be in Baghdad to mature a joint security working formula."

He pointed out that "the Palestinian issue will remain the root of the problem in the Middle East, and it is time for a radical solution to it," stressing that "Iraq cannot be subordinate to any country. Iraq is a meeting point, not an arena for conflict. The democratic model in Iraq is unique, with freedom, a constitution, and a peaceful transfer of power. Iraq is experiencing its best situation since the founding of the modern state, as the previous regime executed my father and five members of my family during the Iran-Iraq war."

Al-Sudani explained that “Iraq imported cars from America worth 4.5 billion during 2024, and the volume of investments inside Iraq amounted to more than 88 billion dollars, while Iraq ranks first in the world in sulfur reserves, and second in the world in phosphate,” noting that “our projects are continuing in the field of completing the infrastructure, and we have started talking with all friendly and sisterly countries to recover the smuggled funds.” https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?Key=1224212

Gold Suffers Weekly Losses Of More Than 2%

Economy | 10:41 - 02/05/2025  Wazin News - Baghdad - Gold prices rose on Friday, but were on track for their worst weekly performance in more than two months amid easing trade tensions, as safe-haven demand dwindled.

Spot gold rose 0.3% to $3,252.02 per ounce, while US gold futures rose 1.2% to $3,261.00.
The yellow metal has fallen more than 2% since the beginning of the week, its biggest weekly decline since late February.

Investors in global markets are awaiting the release of the US non-farm payrolls report later in the day for further clues on the direction of the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy.

Among other precious metals, silver rose 0.2% to $32.47 per ounce, platinum rose 0.8% to $966.08, and palladium rose 0.3% to $943.50.  https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=261076

 For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com/

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Saturday Morning 5-3-25

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

ARIZONA GOVERNOR VETOES BILL TO MAKE BITCOIN PART OF STATE RESERVES

Arizona’s plan to invest in Bitcoin has ended in a veto, with Governor Katie Hobbs citing concerns over using public funds for "untested assets."

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed a bill that would have allowed the state to hold Bitcoin as part of its official reserves, effectively ending efforts to make Arizona the first US state to adopt such a policy.

The Digital Assets Strategic Reserve bill, which would have permitted Arizona to invest seized funds into Bitcoin and create a reserve managed by state officials, was formally struck down on Friday, according to an update on the Arizona State Legislature’s website.

“Today, I vetoed Senate Bill 1025. The Arizona State Retirement System is one of the strongest in the nation because it makes sound and informed investments,” Hobbs wrote in a statement aimed at Warren Petersen, the President of the Arizona Senate.

“Arizonans’ retirement funds are not the place for the state to try untested investments like virtual currency,” she added.

On April 28, the bill passed a final vote in the state House when 31 members of the Arizona House voted in favor of the bill, with 25 opposing.

Hobbs had previously stated she would veto any legislation not tied to a bipartisan agreement on disability funding.

Another Bitcoin awaits final vote

A companion bill, SB1373, which would authorize the state treasurer to allocate up to 10% of Arizona’s rainy-day fund into digital assets like Bitcoin, has not yet reached a final vote.

Arizona joins several other states where similar efforts have failed. In recent months, similar proposals in Oklahoma, Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming have stalled or been withdrawn.

In contrast, North Carolina’s House passed the Digital Assets Investment Act on April 30, allowing the state treasurer to invest up to 5% of certain funds in approved cryptocurrencies. The bill has now been moved to the state Senate for consideration.

The state-level efforts to create Bitcoin reserves come amid a push from US President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers to do the same in the federal government.

Trump signed an executive order in March with a proposal for a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” and a “Digital Asset Stockpile.”

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  CoinTelegraph

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UK REGULATOR PROPOSES BAN ON BUYING CRYPTO WITH CREDIT CARDS

The UK's financial regulator is considering a ban on buying crypto with credit, and also mulling outlawing crypto lending and borrowing platforms.

▪️The UK's Financial Conduct Authority has proposed banning the use of credit to purchase crypto assets.

▪️The regulator is accepting comments on the rule from the public until June 13.

Britain’s top financial regulator has proposed banning the purchase of cryptocurrency with any sort of borrowed funds, including credit cards.

A new discussion paper from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority floated a plan this week to outlaw crypto firms from allowing British customers to buy crypto assets with a credit card. The proposed rule would also ban the purchase of crypto with any other form of credit, including loans and digital currency credit lines.

The move appears largely driven by the regulator’s concern that UK adults are going into debt to buy crypto, a “risky” practice, given the inherent volatility of digital assets.

Britain’s top financial regulator has proposed banning the purchase of cryptocurrency with any sort of borrowed funds, including credit cards.

A new discussion paper from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority floated a plan this week to outlaw crypto firms from allowing British customers to buy crypto assets with a credit card. The proposed rule would also ban the purchase of crypto with any other form of credit, including loans and digital currency credit lines.

The move appears largely driven by the regulator’s concern that UK adults are going into debt to buy crypto, a “risky” practice, given the inherent volatility of digital assets.

We are concerned that consumers buying crypto assets with credit may take on unsustainable debt, particularly if the value of their crypto asset drops and they were relying on its value to repay,” the FCA said.

A YouGov survey recently commissioned by the Authority found that 14% of UK crypto users reported using credit to buy digital assets in August 2024. That figure marked a 133% uptick from two years prior.

The proposal, if passed, would not necessarily impact all crypto assets, however. The FCA said that stablecoins authorized by its regulatory regime would likely be exempt from the credit ban.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Decrypt

~~~~~~~~~

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MilitiaMan & Crew Iraqi Dinar News-Investment-Energy-Global Institutions-Companies: Siemens-BP-UST-US Fed-IMF-WB

MilitiaMan & Crew Iraqi Dinar News-Investment-Energy-Global Institutions-Companies: Siemens-BP-UST-US Fed-IMF-WB

5-2-2025

The Crew:  Samson, PompeyPeter, Petra, Daytrader, Sunkissed, GIGI and Militia Man

Be sure to listen to full video for all the news……..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fhEtkKl6ig

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Friday Afternoon 5-2-25

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

BITCOIN IS A MATTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY — DEPUTY CIA DIRECTOR

Deputy CIA director Michael Ellis' comments reflect Bitcoin's maturation as an asset but conflict with the cypherpunk philosophy.

The US Central Intelligence Agency is increasingly incorporating Bitcoin as a tool in its operations, and working with the cryptocurrency is a matter of national security, Michael Ellis, the agency’s deputy director, told podcast host Anthony Pompliano.

In an appearance on the market analyst and investor’s show, Ellis told Pompliano that the intelligence agency works with law enforcement to track BTC, and it is a point of data collection in counter-intelligence operations. Ellis added:

"Bitcoin is here to stay — cryptocurrency is here to stay. As you know, more and more institutions are adopting it, and I think that is a great trend. One that this administration has obviously been leaning forward into."

"It's another area of competition where we need to ensure the United States is well-positioned against China and other adversaries," Ellis said.

Although Ellis's comments point to Bitcoin maturing as an asset, they also reflect the increased involvement of governments and institutions, which runs contrary to the libertarian and cypherpunk ethos originally inherent in crypto.

Bitcoin: from cypherpunk experiment to state reserve asset

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve on March 7, to mixed reactions from the Bitcoin community.

Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey celebrated the move, while Venice AI founder and BTC advocate Erik Vorhees warned against government ownership of Bitcoin but added that if the US government is to adopt any crypto reserve, it should be Bitcoin-only.

Concerns that cryptocurrencies have lost their cypherpunk roots predate the current market cycle and any strategic reserve legislation or comprehensive regulatory frameworks for digital assets.

In March 2020, Therese Chambers, the former director of retail and regulatory investigations at the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), argued that cryptocurrencies had become increasingly financialized and institutionalized.

Chambers added that digital assets were behaving far more like traditional financial instruments than the privacy-preserving tools they were initially billed as.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  CoinTelegraph

~~~~~~~~~

CAPITOL CRYPTO: CONGRESSMAN PROPOSES BITCOIN ATMS IN GOVERNMENT FACILITIES

A Texas Republican congressman has proposed installing cryptocurrency ATMs in United States federal buildings. Rep. Lance Gooden wrote a May 1 letter to Stephen Ehikian, who is presently acting administrator for the General Services Administration (GSA), news reports said.

Trump Ally Frames Proposal As “Educational Resource”

Gooden, one of the president’s well-known Republican allies, recommended in his letter that installing crypto ATMs in government buildings would be an “educational resource” for the public.

He requested that the GSA start exploring guidelines and regulations necessary for installing such machines on federally owned properties across the country.

Public documents filed with the House of Representatives indicate Gooden has not declared any cryptocurrency investment or ATM firms since being elected in 2019. There are no reported financial disclosures in public records available for the Texas representative as of 2025.

Authority Questions Unanswered

The GSA regulates and manages government-owned properties. Although its website states that it can offer space for federal credit union ATMs, it is not certain if Ehikian can extend these regulations to digital asset ATMs provided by private companies.

Reports suggest Ehikian, who was sworn in by US President Donald Trump, may not have a mandate to introduce these types of ATMs without consent from Congress. Reports also disclose that the finances for such an endeavor may demand an act of Congress.

President’s Crypto Connections Raise Questions

Meanwhile, Trump has extensive engagement with digital coins and asset firms across multiple avenues. These range from his individual investments, presidential campaign accounts, family-backed enterprises, and the TRUMP meme coin.

Trump reportedly hosted a dinner in Washington, DC in April for the leading holders of his meme coin. This link creates questions regarding potential policy influences related to cryptocurrency infrastructure in government buildings.

 Senate Considers Tougher Crypto ATM Regulations

Gooden’s bill comes as legislators in the Senate are considering bills to combat fraud using digital currency ATMs. Last February, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act with the goal of establishing “common sense guardrails” against scams that have hurt many elderly Americans.

The timing provides a telling contrast between Gooden’s initiative to expand access to crypto technology and Durbin’s push for more protection from possible abuse of the same systems.

This brings to the fore the debate surrounding how to achieve a balance between innovation and consumer protection in the world of cryptocurrencies.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Bitcoinist

~~~~~~~~~

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Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Friday Morning 5-2-25

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

US CONGRESS SEEKS TO END THE PENNY BY INTRODUCING THE COMMON CENTS ACT

The ‘Common Cents’ Act, which has bipartisan support, seeks to end the production of the $0.01 coin, commonly known as the cent, as its production and distribution costs exceed its face value. Representatives Lisa McClain and Robert Garcia, along with Senators Cynthia Lummis and Kirsten Gillibrand, are behind this proposal.

Common Cents Act Gets Introduced to Stop Penny Production

The U.S. Congress will consider ending the production of the $0.01 coin, commonly known as the penny, to combat government inefficiency. A proposal called the ‘Common Cents Act’ seeks to eliminate the production of the cent coin to reduce government spending on a coin that is no longer widely used.

Introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Representatives Lisa McClain and Robert Garcia, as well as Senators Cynthia Lummis and Kirsten Gillibrand, the act would direct the Secretary of the Treasury to cease production of one-cent coins for regular use.

However, special issuances for coin collectors would still be allowed, provided the sale price of the coin ‘equals or exceeds the total cost of production, including variable costs and the appropriate share of fixed costs.’

Additionally, the bill proposes rounding prices to the nearest five cents, a resolution adopted by several countries implementing similar reforms. This would enable people to complete all cash payments without issue.

Senator Cynthia Lummis highlighted the wasteful spending that the U.S. Mint executes with the issuance of each penny. Lummis stated:

The fiscal reality is undeniable: the U.S. Mint spends three cents to produce each one-cent coin. With a $36 trillion national debt, we have to implement meaningful opportunities to reduce costs, update our currency system, and codify the elimination of government inefficiencies. It just makes cents!

In February, President Donald Trump decided to end the production of the penny, assessing that the whole operation was “wasteful.” Nonetheless, experts stated that this decision was not his to make, as Congress is the institution that dictates the specifics of coin production.

Analysts expect Trump to tackle nickel production in the future, as it is also produced at a loss.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Bitcoin News

~~~~~~~~~

COULD XRP ETF APPROVAL BE NEAR? RIPPLE TO MEET SEC CHAIR PAUL ATKINS ON MAY 2

As positive shifts in cryptocurrency regulation unfold under President Donald Trump’s second administration, speculation is mounting regarding the potential approval of spot XRP ETF applications.

This anticipation is fueled by significant changes at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), particularly the appointment of Paul Atkins as the new chair. Known for his pro-crypto stance, Atkins represents a departure from the stringent regulatory environment established by former chair Gary Gensler.

Speculation Rises Around XRP ETF Applications

The timing of a possible XRP ETF approval is further ignited by reports of a potential meeting between Ripple Labs’ executive chairman and co-founder Chris Larsen and SEC Chair Paul Atkins. Such discussions could pave the way for expedited decisions on XRP ETF applications.

Earlier this week, Bitcoinist highlighted that the SEC has set a new deadline of June 17, 2025, for either approving or disapproving the XRP ETF application submitted by asset manager Franklin Templeton or initiating further proceedings to assess the proposal.

Bloomberg ETF expert James Seyffart has indicated that while the June deadline is crucial, market participants should prepare for a series of decisions expected in the fourth quarter of 2025.

However, Bloomberg’s ETF expert specifically pointed to mid-October—around the 18th of this year—as a pivotal date for a potential spot XRP ETF decision by the regulatory body.

Ripple Labs Sees Renewed Hope

Adding to the excitement, crypto investor Steph Is Crypto recently shared on social media site X (formerly Twitter), that insiders suggest the meeting between Larsen and Atkins, reportedly scheduled for May 2, could bring the approval of XRP ETF applications closer to reality. However, as of Thursday, no official confirmation or statements have been released by either party, leaving this scenario uncertain.

The ongoing speculation for XRP ETF applications come amid a more favorable environment for Ripple Labs, which has long advocated for regulatory changes in the US.

The previous administration faced criticism for its enforcement actions and lawsuits targeting major players in the crypto sector, including Ripple Labs itself.

Since Gensler’s resignation on January 20, 2025, several lawsuits against prominent companies like Coinbase, Robinhood, Uniswap Labs, and Kraken have been dropped, further easing regulatory pressures.

This renewed optimism not only fuels hopes for XRP ETF approval but also raises expectations for other crypto ETFs, including those for Litecoin (LTC), Solana (SOL), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Cardano (ADA), which may also receive approvals later this year.

At the time of writing, XRP, currently the fifth largest cryptocurrency on the market in terms of capitalization, is trading at $2.21, up 8% in fourteen days amid renewed optimism in the market after a challenging few months.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Bitcoinist

~~~~~~~~~

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“Tidbits From TNT” Friday Morning 5-2-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  Planning: Memoranda of Understanding with advanced countries to train employees outside Iraq

The Ministry of Planning affirmed that training government employees is a priority for enhancing institutional performance, while noting the signing of memoranda of understanding with advanced countries to train employees outside Iraq.

Ministry spokesperson Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi said that the ministry places a direct emphasis on training and developing the capabilities of employees in all state institutions through the National Center for Administrative Development and Information Technology.

He explained that the National Center organizes, as part of its annual program, numerous training courses in various fields, including management, law, protocol, computers, electronic and financial aspects, and others. Some of these courses are held at the request of government institutions based on their needs. link

************

Tishwash:  Clarification of the Cabinet's decision regarding the withdrawal of tax deposits

 A responsible source commented on Thursday (May 1, 2025) on what was circulated on social media and some media outlets regarding a government decision to withdraw tax deposits, stressing that the procedure is legal, announced, and aims to cover basic expenses, most notably salaries.

The source told Baghdad Today, "The sums referred to in the decision were not recorded in a final account within the public treasury, but were used to cover expenses, a practice followed by previous governments and implemented in accordance with a decision announced by the Council of Ministers."

He explained that "the decision included reversing the amounts of trusts from the revenues collected during tax accounting," noting that "the Ministry of Finance, as the competent authority, studied the decision before making it."

The source added, "What happened in the previous government regarding tax deposits could have been avoided if the current procedure had been adopted at the time," considering that "the deliberate distortion and fraud by some parties for electoral purposes not only targets the government, but harms all of Iraq."

He concluded by stressing that "the government is proceeding with its reforms despite attempts to disrupt them, in a manner that ensures the best possible service to the Iraqi citizen."

Decision details: Temporary withdrawal and subsequent settlement.
The Cabinet voted last April to authorize the Minister of Finance to withdraw more than 3 trillion dinars from tax deposits less than five years old to cover salary expenses for the coming months. These amounts will be subsequently settled from monthly tax revenues.

According to observers, this measure is a temporary means of financing to overcome delays in transferring oil revenues from the US Federal Reserve into local currency, without the need for borrowing or delayed salaries.

Despite the technical
nature of the decision, the withdrawal of tax deposits sparked widespread political controversy, with some forces viewing it as a reflection of the fragility of the financial situation and the government's weak ability to manage expenditures without compromising temporary and legally allocated funds.

For its part, the Parliamentary Finance Committee believes that addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive review of fiscal policy, reducing reliance on oil, and enhancing non-rent resources, to avoid the repeated resort to exceptional solutions that could be legally considered controversial. link

************

Tishwash:  Al-Sudani explains the reason for inviting the Syrian president to the Baghdad summit and Iraq's ambition to host the Iran-US talks.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani affirmed that Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara's invitation to attend the Arab League summit in Baghdad was within the established protocol of the Arab League system, noting the importance of his attendance in clarifying his vision for Syria's future to Arab countries.

In press statements monitored by Al Furat News Agency, Al-Sudani stressed Iraq's commitment to Syria's security and stability, considering it a part of Iraqi national security. He expressed his hope that Syria would witness a comprehensive political process that guarantees the rights of all citizens.

In the context of regional relations, Al-Sudani explained that Iraq maintains good relations with both Iran and the United States, affirming Baghdad's support and encouragement for the current negotiations between them. He added that the success of these negotiations will have positive repercussions for the region as a whole, including Iraq.

Regarding relations with Washington, Al-Sudani noted Iraq's efforts to shift toward bilateral relations with the United States, a focus of two rounds of dialogue in Washington. He expressed hope that the third round would be held in Baghdad.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, the Prime Minister emphasized that it is "the root of the problem in the Middle East," expressing his belief that US President Donald Trump is capable of leading global efforts to resolve it.

Al-Sudani explained that "Iraq is experiencing its best situation since the founding of the modern state," adding, "Iraq is not what is often viewed as a war zone. Indicators on the ground are different. Residents of the capital are out and about until late at night, and more than $88 billion in investments have entered the country."

He stressed that "the challenge facing my government is to restore citizens' confidence in state institutions, due to the many setbacks that have occurred over the past two decades."

The Prime Minister stated that "corruption is one of the challenges facing my government, and I have initiated practical, not media-based, measures to combat it."  link

************

Mot:  “Excuse me… could you walk with me for a couple of minutes?”

A man is walking through the supermarket, holding a basket and looking a bit lost. He notices a very attractive, beautiful, and fit young woman nearby. He walks up to her with a friendly smile:

“Excuse me… could you walk with me for a couple of minutes?”

The woman looks confused and asks,

“Why?”

He replies,

“I’ve lost my wife… and every time I talk to a pretty woman, she magically appears out of nowhere!”

The woman chuckles and says,

“That’s… oddly specific.”

He points behind her and says,

“See? Told you — there she is!”

Iraq Economic News And Points To Ponder Thursday Evening 5-1-25

Oil Prices Stabilize, Brent At $61

Time: 2025/05/01 07:52:31 Read: 2,235 times  {Economic: Al Furat News} Oil prices stabilized with little change after recording their largest monthly decline since 2021, amid indications that the OPEC+ alliance may be entering an extended phase of increased production.

West Texas Intermediate crude traded around $58 a barrel after falling 3.7% on Wednesday, while Brent crude held near $61.

Reuters reported that Saudi officials have told their allies and industry experts that the kingdom can withstand lower prices for an extended period.

At its meeting earlier this month, the OPEC+ alliance decided to raise oil production by more than previously estimated starting in May, by about 411,000 barrels per day, equivalent to three months of planned increases.

This report comes as the market awaits OPEC+'s next move, given the recent decline in oil prices. JPMorgan analysts led by Natasha Kaneva see in a note a "growing likelihood" that OPEC+ will accelerate the return of crude supplies to the market at its next meeting on May 5.

Meanwhile, hopes for a quick breakthrough in US-led trade negotiations are fading, negatively impacting the outlook for energy demand.

US economic contraction: Oil prices have been under pressure since US President Donald Trump announced on April 2 that he would impose high tariffs, heralding a broader trade war that could lead to a global economic slowdown.

Data on Wednesday showed that the US economy contracted for the first time since 2022, while manufacturing activity in China fell to its worst level since December 2023. This decline overshadowed more positive data showing a decline in US oil and gasoline inventories last week.

According to Morgan Stanley, global oil demand in April remained unchanged from last year's level, at 102 million barrels per day, although the bank had expected an increase of 500,000 barrels per day over the previous month.  LINK

 The Central Bank Of Iraq Has Decided To Sell $2,000 To Each Pilgrim At The Official Exchange Rate.
 
Thursday, May 1, 2025 17:25 | Economic     Number of readings: 143
      https://ninanews.com/Uploads/Images/2025/5/1224130-1e78f8df-f682-48ba-bc0c-f316aec7bc8b.jpg
 
Baghdad/ NINA / The Central Bank of Iraq decided, on Thursday, to sell $2,000 to each pilgrim at the official exchange rate of 1,320 per dollar.
 
The text of the document issued by the Central Bank stated that it was decided to grant each pilgrim $2,000 at the official rate,
as part of the facilities provided to pilgrims to the House of God. https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1224130    

Terms And Conditions

April 30, 2025   Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Controls for Electronic Payment Service Providers. 
For more information, click here   https://cbi.iq/static/uploads/up/file-174600330029591.pdf   

[48 page pdf file in Arabic]    https://cbi.iq/news/view/2878    

A UN Assessment Of Iraq's Position On Regional Crises And Its Dissociation From Them

Time: 2025/05/01 22:01:51 Reading: 765 times  {Local: Al Furat News} The United Nations praised Iraq's stance on regional crises and its dissociation from them on Thursday.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Mohammed Al-Hassan, said in a press statement that: "The Iraqi government's handling of the region's crises has been extremely successful."

He added, "The government has kept many disputes and conflicts away from Iraq," noting that "Baghdad and Erbil have dealt calmly and professionally with the region's challenges to protect Iraq from any negative impacts."

Al-Hassan explained that "the Iraqi authorities and decision-makers have dealt in an optimal and rational manner, keeping the country away from many problems."  LINK

Parliamentary Finance: Budget Tables Will Reach Parliament After The Legislative Recess.

Thursday, May 1, 2025, 4:03 PM | Economics Number of reads: 316    Baghdad / NINA / The head of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Atwan Al-Atwani, announced that the budget tables will reach the parliament after the legislative recess.

Al-Atwani said, "Voting on the budget tables within the parliament will not exceed the ninth of next June due to the legislative recess," noting that "the budget is approximately 210 trillion, divided into an operating budget of approximately 155 trillion and a 55 trillion investment budget with a deficit of 66 trillion dinars."

He added, "Our planned path for discussing the budget and studying these tables is to review their contents and study them in detail," noting that "the first ministers to attend to discuss the budget will be the Minister of Finance, followed by the Minister of Planning."

Al-Atwani continued, "The approved mechanism for distributing the investment budget amounts, whether between ministries or governorates, is studied and analyzed, after which the report is written and submitted to the House of Representatives, and then the budget tables are presented with the report to the House for voting on them.

" He stressed "the committee's keenness to complete the task as soon as possible, considering that we voted on a three-year budget for the government to operate comfortably and not to disrupt the tables." /End   https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1224120

The Iraqi Banking Sector Between Support Flexibility And The Risk Of Reserve Depletion: A Reading Of The Fitch Report And Central Bank Figures

Economy News – Baghdad   Bassam Raad / Economic Researcher  At a time when Fitch Ratings confirms the flexibility of the Iraqi banking sector in the face of oil price fluctuations (1), the Central Bank’s figures reveal a decline in foreign reserves during the first quarter of 2025 (Al-Marsoumi) (2).

These two reports present a multifaceted picture of the Iraqi economy, highlighting short-term resilience thanks to liquidity support policies and long-term risks associated with reliance on oil, price volatility, and declining foreign reserves.

The Fitch report indicated that the Iraqi banking sector, despite its low credit rating (CCC)(3), is not directly affected by the decline in oil prices.

This is due to the Central Bank's ability to support government spending through proactive monetary policies. One of the most prominent of these policies is known as monetary sterilization(4), through which the exchange rate is maintained stable and inflation is curbed.  

Central Bank figures also revealed that Iraq's foreign exchange reserves declined by more than $7 billion during the first quarter of 2025, reaching 127.198 trillion dinars in March 2025, compared to 136.877 trillion dinars in December 2024. This means that the Central Bank sacrificed a portion of its reserves to achieve domestic financial stability, reinforcing Fitch's claim about the resilience of the banking sector.

Overall, the Fitch report cannot be separated from the decline in oil prices, which fell from around $77.3 to $72 per barrel during the first quarter of this year, a source of approximately 90% of Iraq's revenues.

While the agency saw that the direct impact on banks is limited, we can sense the indirect impact through the Central Bank’s figures and through

The Following Comparison:
Government revenues declined, increasing pressure on the central bank.  

Foreign exchange reserves: decreased by approximately 9.679 trillion dinars by the end of the first quarter of this year.

Here, the data shows that support policies may achieve temporary stability, but they rely on limited resources (foreign reserves), which portends risks if oil prices continue to decline or government spending expands unplanned.

Despite the Central Bank’s assurances that reserves are still good by international standards (their ratio to the money supply is above 20%) (5), in an oil-dependent country like Iraq, the decline in oil revenues negatively affects foreign currency flows. The continued decline in oil prices for a long period may weaken the ability to compensate for depleted foreign reserves.

The most important message conveyed by Fitch's reports and the central bank's figures is that "temporary stability is no substitute for radical reform."

While monetary support policies demonstrate short-term resilience, depleting reserves and rising public debt portend future crises if the Iraqi government does not rapidly diversify its economy and adopt radical reforms.

Iraq is at a crossroads: either diversify its sources of revenue and move toward a productive economy based on industry, technology, and agriculture, or remain hostage to the volatility of oil prices and the fragility of credit ratings.    https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=55007

For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com/

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Thursday Evening 5-1-25

Good Evening Dinar Recaps,

HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO UNVEIL LANDMARK DRAFT DIGITAL ASSET BILL AHEAD OF KEY CRYPTO HEARING NEXT WEEK

▪️Top Republicans of the House Financial Services Committee alongside their counterparts in the House Agriculture Committee will be releasing a draft ahead of a May 6 hearing on the future of digital assets, sources told The Block
.
▪️The incoming version is set to be similar to one that passed out of the House last year called the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act

Key lawmakers are set to release a new discussion draft in the coming days that outlines a significant regulatory framework for digital assets, ahead of a major congressional hearing next week.

Top Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee — Reps. French Hill and Bryan Steil — along with their counterparts on the House Agriculture Committee — Reps. Glenn "GT" Thompson and Libertarian Dusty Johnson — will release the draft before a May 6 joint hearing on digital assets, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Block.

The hearing, titled “American Innovation and the Future of Digital Assets: A Blueprint for the 21st Century,” will be held at 10 a.m. ET and is expected to focus on long-awaited legislation to define crypto market structure in the United States.

The draft is expected to resemble last year’s Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT 21), which passed the House. A staffer for the House Agriculture Committee also confirmed that the text would be released prior to the hearing.

Committees in the House and Senate have advanced bills focused on stablecoins, and legislation to regulate the crypto industry as a whole has been viewed as the next step. President Donald Trump has said that he wants to see a stablecoin bill on his desk by August, but some say the bills could be linked.  

Republicans have been mostly leading efforts on both bills and would need Democratic support to pass. Some Democrats, including crypto critic Rep. Brad Sherman of California, have said that "good crypto regulation" is needed, but Trump-backed crypto ventures could threaten any hope of bipartisanship.

Moving Onwards

The process for a market structure bill is moving quickly, said Ron Hammond, senior director of government relations at the Blockchain Association, as lawmakers could decide to hold another hearing or could go straight away to a markup — the process where lawmakers openly debate, amend, and vote on a bill.

Hammond said he had not seen a version of the discussion draft, but said he had been told it was 90% similar to FIT 21.

"Overall, it's still kind of a black box until we see the text of what actually got changed and what they intend to change after the discussion draft," Hammond said in an interview.

FIT 21 sets out to clarify when a digital asset would be regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or both. It would have ultimately granted more power and funding to the CFTC to oversee crypto spot markets and "digital commodities," particularly bitcoin, and set parameters for the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Meanwhile, the Senate is working on its version of a crypto market structure bill, Hammond said.

Stablecoins - market structure

Combining the two bills has been floated, but there are concerns of partisan divides as the midterms near in November 2026, Hammond said, while others say they should be separated and get stablecoin legislation signed into law first. Work on a stablecoin bill is seen as less complicated than trying to regulate the industry as a whole.

Hill told reporters in March that he views the bills as "linked," and Steil said he viewed the two as peanut butter and jelly.

However, Trump's foray into crypto could complicate crypto legislative efforts. Hill was asked in March about the Trump family's involvement in crypto, which includes a DeFi protocol under development as well as live and tradable memecoins and NFTs. World Liberty Financial, backed by Trump, also recently launched its own stablecoin.

Hill had said that Trump's memecoin and stablecoin involvement has complicated their work.

During congressional hearings over the past several weeks, Democrats have raised alarm bells over Trump's involvement. Top Democrat of the House Financial Services Committee, Maxine Waters of California, accused Trump of making himself richer through his crypto ventures during a hearing last month.

"The more the Trump family gets involved in the crypto realm, and World Liberty Financial gets involved, it just presents another angle of attack for Democrats to attack Trump," Hammond said. "So there is a concern that this will only worsen over time and sour a potential good bipartisan vote in the Senate."

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  The Block

~~~~~~~~~

AUSTRALIAN ELECTION WILL BRING PRO-CRYPTO LAWS EITHER WAY

No matter who wins Saturday's election in Australia, crypto legislation developed with the industry is set to finally happen this year.

Despite reports in February suggesting that 2 million pro-crypto voters could decide the outcome of this week’s Australian Federal Election, crypto has barely rated a mention during the campaign.

“I think it’s a missed opportunity,” Independent Reserve founder Adrian Przelozny told Cointelegraph. “Neither side has made crypto a headline issue because they’re wary of polarizing voters or sounding too niche.”

But the good news is that after more than a decade of inaction, both the ruling Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the opposition Liberal Party are promising to enact crypto regulations developed in consultation with the industry.

In April, Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor promised to release draft crypto regulations within the first 100 days after taking office, while the Treasury itself has draft bills on “regulating digital asset platforms” and “payments system modernization” scheduled for release this quarter.

Amy-Rose Goodey, CEO of the Digital Economy Council of Australia, said that both parties “are equally invested in getting this draft legislation across the line.”

“Irrespective of who gets in, we’re in a better position than we were about a year ago.” Pro-crypto voters have choices in the Senate, too, with the Libertarian Party issuing a 23-page Bitcoin policy in March — calling for the creation of a national Bitcoin Reserve and the acceptance of Bitcoin as legal tender.

The minor party is fielding five Senate candidates in different states, including former Liberal MP Craig Kelly, but doesn’t currently have anyone in the Senate.

The progressive left-wing Greens party has not outlined a position on crypto, while the conservative right-wing One Nation party has campaigned against debanking and CBDCs.

More Than A Decade Of Inaction On Crypto

Australia’s first parliamentary inquiry into digital assets was held back in 2014, but there’s been more than a decade of regulatory inaction since. The industry says this has led to stagnation and a brain drain of talent to jurisdictions like Singapore and the UAE.

The former Liberal Government was considering the landmark Digital Services Act, based on the 2021 Senate Committee’s crypto recommendations, when it lost office in 2022. Despite ongoing consultations since, the ALP government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, hasn’t put forward any legislation to parliament.

But there has definitely been a vibe shift from the ALP recently, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers telling Cointelegraph that digital assets “represent big opportunities for our economy.”

”We want to seize these opportunities and encourage innovation at the same time as making sure Australians can use and invest in digital assets safely and securely with appropriate regulation.”

His office said exposure draft legislation would be released “in 2025” for consultation, introduced into Parliament “once that feedback has been considered” with the subsequent reforms “phased in over time to minimize disruptions to existing businesses.”

The shadow assistant treasurer, Luke Howarth, said the ALP has been slow to act because it didn’t have a blockchain policy when it was elected.

“It wasn’t until the FTX collapse that they acknowledged the need for regulation,” he told Cointelegraph. “The Albanese government initially promised it would put in place regulation by 2023 but have failed to draft legislation or give a clear time-frame for action. After three years, all that was offered to industry was a six-page placeholder document.”

He’s referring to Treasury’s March statement “on developing an innovative Australian digital asset industry.” It provides for the licensing of Digital Asset Platforms (DAPS), a framework for payment stablecoins and a review of Australia’s Enhanced Regulatory Sandbox.

While short on detail, those aims are broadly similar to the crypto regulation priorities that Howarth outlines to Cointelegraph — the big difference being that the opposition has committed to a faster time frame.

Przelozny praised the 100-day promise as “exactly the kind of urgency we need.”

If elected, the Liberal Party’s legislation is expected to take some of its cues from Senator Andrew Bragg’s private members bill in 2023 and some from the more recent work done by the Treasury.

The government steps up efforts

The Treasury has been quietly drafting legislation this year, which Goodey understands is “almost complete.”

“There’s been prioritization within Treasury, and I know that their team has almost doubled — the digital asset team — for writing that draft legislation. So, there has been an investment in that over the past six months.”

Przelozny characterizes the ALP’s approach as “cautious and methodical, but it’s been slow,” prioritizing consumer protection and risk management.

BTC Markets CEO Caroline Bowler said the election of a pro-crypto Trump administration and the UK’s draft regulations (released this week) likely forced both sides of politics to finally get serious.

”Australia has ground to make up, and I would anticipate this also being a factor in the savvy move by both parties,” she said.

Stand With Crypto campaign and ASIC

The Stand With Crypto campaign is active in Australia but has been fairly low-key during the campaign, with a focus on debanking.

Coinbase managing director for APAC John O’Loghlen called on whoever wins the election to launch a “Crypto-Asset Taskforce (CATF) within the first 100 days.” This would include industry and consumer representatives to finally get crypto regulations over the line.

“If Australia doesn’t move now, we risk falling even further behind,” he told Cointelegraph.

“The next government must move beyond consultation and into legislation.”

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is the local equivalent of the US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). It released its own crypto regulatory proposals in December.

Joy Lam, Binance’s head of global regulatory and APAC legal, told Cointelegraph she doesn’t expect ASIC to suddenly change direction if a new government comes in, as the SEC did.

“ASIC doesn’t make the law,” she said. “I don’t expect a complete kind of 180 because ASIC, it is independent, and it does have its own mandate, but it obviously operates within the legislative framework that the government is going to be setting.”

Who should single-issue crypto voters back?

In February, a poll by YouGov and Swyftx found that 59% of crypto users would vote for a pro-crypto candidate in the federal election above all other issues. That equates to around 2 million Australians and would be enough to determine the outcome of the election one way.

But the similarities between the major parties on crypto regulation are much greater than the differences. Goodey said both sides of politics have genuinely engaged with the industry about its concerns and priorities.

“You can see in some of the language with their media releases that they both released in March, April this year, that they are in agreement on what the industry issues are,” she said.

Owing to Senator Bragg’s campaigning on crypto, the industry sees the Liberal Party as more enthusiastic about digital assets, but after three years in government, the ALP looks to have arrived at roughly the same place.

Recent YouGov and Resolve polls suggest the government is likely to be reelected.

While internal Liberal polling suggests an ALP minority government is a genuine possibility, the major parties would have enough votes between them to pass bipartisan crypto legislation.

Whatever happens, 2025 looks like the year Australia will finally provide the crypto industry with the certainty it needs.

“For industry, the timing is really quite critical now because obviously it’s something that has been discussed and kicked around for quite a few years,” Lam said.

“I would say that we are cautiously optimistic.”

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  CoinTelegraph

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BREAKING: Vietnam China Russia Loas Cambodia Vietnam's End of War Celebration w/U.S.

BREAKING: Vietnam China Russia Loas Cambodia Vietnam's End of War Celebration w/U.S.

Edu Matrix:  5-1-2025

BREAKING: Vietnam, China, Russia, Laos, Cambodia in Vietnam's End of War Celebration with U.S. VND Rate - It’s been 50 years since the Vietnam War ended, and Vietnam is commemorating this historic milestone with massive celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City.

This video takes a closer look at the country’s evolution since the war, from reunification to rapid economic reform, and what it means for today’s VND (Vietnamese đồng) investors.

 Explore how the VND has depreciated from under 1 per USD in 1983 to over 23,000 in 2023, and what experts say about its outlook in 2025.

 With analysts forecasting a potential slide to 26,000 VND per USD, many still see opportunity in holding the VND, especially as Vietnam attracts major foreign manufacturers fleeing China.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fYMjf67S4E