Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Saturday Morning 1-31-26

Global Gold Buying Jumps, Iraq Adds Nearly 12 Tons

2026-01-31   Shafaq News– Baghdad   The Central Bank of Iraq purchased 11.9 tons of gold in 2025, ranking the country eighth globally among the world’s largest central bank gold buyers, according to data released by the World Gold Council.   According to the data, 95% of central banks expect global official gold reserves to grow over the next year, the most optimistic reading in the survey’s eight-year history. A record 43% of central banks plan to increase gold holdings, up from 29% in 2024, with none expecting reductions.

Poland topped the list with gold purchases of 101.9 tons, followed by Kazakhstan with 56.9 tons, Brazil with 42.7 tons, Azerbaijan with 38.2 tons, and China with 26.7 tons. Turkiye ranked sixth with 26.6 tons, while the Czech Republic followed with 20.4 tons.  Cambodia and Uzbekistan rounded out the top buyers, purchasing 7.9 tons and 7.7 tons respectively.  https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Global-gold-buying-jumps-Iraq-adds-nearly-12-tons   

Dollar Gains On Fed Chair Nomination Speculation

2026-01-30 Shafaq News   The dollar rose on Friday, clawing back some of its slide on the week, after U.S. ​President Donald Trump said he would soon announce his nominee to head the Federal Reserve while optimism grew for Washington to ‌avert a government shutdown.

Trump said he intends to name his pick to replace Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Friday, following news that former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh visited the White House. The Japanese yen fell, and cryptocurrencies tumbled.

The greenback recovered some of this week's losses after tension between Trump and Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, Greenland and Europe hit some investors' confidence in U.S. assets.

"The appointment of Warsh, if it's true, will be seen as someone who can, in a way, remain independent, and not someone seen ‌as likely to be subservient to Trump's wishes," said Khoon Goh, head of Asia research for ANZ in Singapore.

"Any sensible ​market participant would not want to carry a big position into the weekend," he added. "So some of this could just be positioning lightening up. If you're short dollars, you've done well, take your chips off the table."

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, rose 0.4% to 96.55, trimming ‍its weekly slide to 0.9%. The euro dipped 0.4% to $1.1922, while the yen weakened 0.5% to 153.85 a dollar. Sterling slid 0.4% to $1.3751.

Bloomberg News said Warsh would get the nod to replace Powell at the Fed, while a person familiar with the matter told Reuters he met Trump at the White House on Thursday.

The dollar also received a lift after Republican and Democratic ⁠lawmakers hammered out a deal to stave off a looming government shutdown.

Escalating conflict abroad and unease over domestic immigration crackdowns have hammered the U.S. currency, driving ‍the dollar index to a four-year low earlier this week.

Overnight, the White House said Trump signed an executive order for tariffs on countries that provide oil to Cuba, while he threatened ‌new tariffs ‌on Canada and said the United States was decertifying business jets made there.

With tension simmering in Iran, Trump said on Thursday he planned to speak with leaders in Tehran, even as the U.S. dispatched another warship to the Middle East and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the military would be ready to carry out whatever the president decided.

The dollar closed last week with its biggest fall since last April, driven in part by the Trump administration's tariff threats against European countries if ⁠they stood in the way of his ⁠ambition of buying Greenland.

The spat over Greenland ​was the start of wider geopolitical concerns that have dragged the currency broadly lower, said Westpac Group senior economist Mantas Vanagas.

"It's the fact that the 'Sell America" trade has resurfaced, and investors are questioning to what extent the United States is still a trustworthy partner for other economies," he added.

The dollar found some support after the Fed held interest rates ‍steady on Wednesday against the backdrop of what Fed Chair Powell described as a solid economy and diminished risks to both inflation and employment.

The yen broke back above 154 to the dollar, but is still poised for its second straight weekly gain, as Japanese policymakers hinted at possible coordinated currency market intervention with the United States to defend the currency.

The yen fell to ​a near 18-month low last week as concerns about Japan's finances mounted before a snap ‍election in which Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her opponents are campaigning on a plank of tax cuts.

The Australian dollar weakened 0.7% versus the greenback to $0.6997, and the kiwi lost 0.5% to $0.6046.

In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin ​tumbled 2.2% to $82,519.22, touching the weakest since November 21, while ether sank declined 3% to $2,732.04.  (Reuters)   https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Dollar-gains-on-Fed-chair-nomination-speculation

USD/IQD Exchange Rates Climbs In Baghdad, Erbil

2026-01-31   Shafaq News– Baghdad/ Erbil  The US dollar opened Saturday’s trading at a higher rate in Baghdad and Erbil, gaining 500 Iraqi dinars compared with the previous session.

According to a Shafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad at 150,400 Iraqi dinars per 100 dollars, up from 149,900 dinars recorded on Thursday at Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya central exchanges in Baghdad.

Local exchange shops in the capital sold the dollar at 151,000 dinars per 100 dollars, while buying prices stood at 150,000 dinars. In Erbil, the selling price reached 150,650 dinars for every 100 dollars, and the buying price was 150,300 dinars.https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/USD-IQD-exchange-rates-climbs-in-Baghdad-Erbil

US Pressure On Iran Intensifies; Analysts Assess Strike Scenarios And Regional Risks

2026-01-31 Shafaq News– Washington   Iran and much of the region are facing a period of heightened unease as Washington escalates its rhetoric under President Donald Trump, warning of possible strikes against Iran’s leadership and nuclear facilities. The external pressure coincides with weeks of unrest inside Iran, where protests have continued amid reports of widespread repression and a near-total internet shutdown, deepening international concern over Tehran’s handling of domestic dissent.

The tense atmosphere has been reinforced by the arrival of US naval and military assets in the Middle East, fueling speculation about an imminent military move. The buildup, analysts say, has raised expectations that Washington may opt for a limited strike as a way to break the political deadlock with Tehran and respond to the growing instability inside the country.

Frank Mesmar, a Republican Party member and Chair of the Advisory Council at the University of Maryland, told Shafaq News that the scale of the US military deployment suggests that action is approaching, arguing that President Trump has positioned himself in a way that leaves little room to step back without political cost, “the [US] administration has amassed a massive military force near Iran’s borders, making a strike increasingly likely.”

Mesmar outlined several possible outcomes if the United States proceeds with military action. One scenario would involve precise air and naval strikes against bases linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Basij paramilitary, missile launch and storage facilities, and what remains of Iran’s nuclear program. Such an operation, in his view, could accelerate the collapse of a system he described as already fragile, potentially opening the way —over time— to a genuine democratic transition.

He also pointed to a second scenario in which the regime survives but is forced to adjust its behavior, similar to what he described as a “Venezuelan model.” In this case, Iran would retain the structure of the Islamic Republic but would be compelled to reduce support for armed groups across the region, curb its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and ease its crackdown on protests.

Mesmar stressed, however, that this outcome is unlikely, given that Iran’s leadership has resisted meaningful change for decades and appears incapable of altering its trajectory now.

The most probable scenario, according to Mesmar, is one in which the current system collapses but is replaced not by civilian rule, but by a military-led government. While repeated protest waves have steadily weakened the regime’s legitimacy, he noted that Iran still has a powerful and deeply rooted security apparatus with a vested interest in preserving the status quo. In the turmoil that could follow US strikes, power could ultimately shift to a strong military authority dominated by figures from the IRGC.

Despite the clear imbalance between US and Iranian conventional forces, Mesmar warned that Tehran retains the ability to respond forcefully. Iran’s missile and drone capabilities could be used against US bases spread along the Arab side of the Gulf, particularly in Bahrain and Qatar. “Tehran could also target critical infrastructure in countries it views as complicit in any US attack, including Israel or Jordan.”

Maritime security presents another major risk. Iran has long threatened to disrupt shipping in the Gulf, particularly by mining key waterways. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, remains a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. Around 20 percent of the world’s liquefied natural gas exports and between 20 and 25 percent of global oil and petroleum products pass through the strait each year; therefore, “Iran has repeatedly trained for rapid naval mine deployment, and any attempt to close or disrupt the passage would have immediate repercussions for global trade and oil prices.”

Beyond military retaliation, Mesmar highlighted the dangers of a power vacuum inside Iran. The collapse of central authority, he said, could lead to prolonged chaos, raising fears among neighboring states of civil conflict similar to that seen in Syria, Yemen, or Libya. Such instability could also inflame ethnic tensions, as Kurdish, Baluchi, and other minority groups seek to protect their communities amid nationwide disorder.

A similar assessment was offered by US-based Iranian-American political analyst Hassan Hashemian, who said Tehran has largely lost its room to maneuver in negotiations with Washington, arguing that the United States is now seeking sweeping concessions that go well beyond the nuclear file, including uranium enrichment, missile development, regional proxies, and Iran’s broader role in the Middle East.

Hashemian told Shafaq News that Washington also wants “guarantees related to the rights of the Iranian people,” particularly an end to the killing and repression of protesters and the restoration of internet access. Entering talks under such conditions, he said, would amount to full surrender—something the Iranian leadership is unwilling to accept.

Describing the Iranian system as suffering from a profound legitimacy crisis, he pointed out that “decades of violence and repression have alienated the population.” In his assessment, the regime no longer has a supportive public base and instead relies on security forces and allied militias abroad.

“If senior figures, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top IRGC commanders, were targeted in any attack, popular anger could quickly translate into mass action against state institutions.”

Hashemian also pointed to the European moves to classify the IRGC as a terrorist organization, saying such steps further isolate Tehran internationally and intensify pressure alongside US policy. He said this trend has effectively closed most diplomatic avenues, leaving the Iranian leadership with few options other than accepting both domestic and international demands.

Amid the mounting tension, Iranian officials have signaled a conditional openness to diplomacy. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking during a visit to Turkiye alongside his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, said Iran is prepared to return to negotiations with the United States if they are based on fairness and mutual respect. At the same time, he emphasized that Tehran would not bow to external pressure, adding that while Iran is ready for talks, it is also prepared for war.

The convergence of internal unrest, external military pressure, and a narrowing diplomatic path has pushed Iran into one of the most uncertain moments in its recent history. Whether the crisis leads to confrontation, forced compromise, or a deeper rupture with regional and global consequences remains unclear, but the risks of miscalculation continue to rise for all sides involved.   For Shafaq News, Mostafa Hashem, Washington, D.C.  https://www.shafaq.com/en/Report/US-pressure-on-Iran-intensifies-analysts-assess-strike-scenarios-and-regional-risks

Gold Prices Dip In Baghdad, Erbil

2026-01-31   Shafaq News– Baghdad/ Erbil   Gold prices declined on Saturday in Baghdad and Erbil markets, reversing gains from the previous session, according to a survey by Shafaq News.

In Baghdad’s Al-Nahr Street wholesale market, the selling price of 21-carat gold—including Gulf, Turkish, and European varieties—fell to 1,040,000 Iraqi dinars per mithqal (about five grams), with a buying price of 1,036,000 dinars, down from 1,171,000 dinars recorded last Thursday.

The selling price for 21-carat Iraqi gold stood at 1,010,000 dinars per mithqal, while the buying price was 1,006,000 dinars.

In jewelry shops, the selling price of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 1,040,000 and 1,050,000 dinars per mithqal, while 21-carat Iraqi gold sold for 1,010,000 to 1,020,000 dinars.

In Erbil, gold prices also edged lower, with 22-carat gold selling at 1,130,000 dinars per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 1,078,000 dinars, and 18-carat gold at 925,000 dinars.https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Gold-prices-dip-in-Baghdad-Erbil-0

Crude Slides But Heads For Biggest Monthly Gain In Years

2026-01-30 00:17   Shafaq News   Oil prices slipped more than 1% on Friday from multi-month highs, though they are set for their most substantial gains in years, as the risk premium surged due to a potential U.S. attack on Iran that could disrupt supplies.

Brent crude futures fell 91 cents to $69.80 a barrel at 0332 GMT after rising 3.4% to close at its highest point since July 31 on Thursday. The March contract expires later on Friday. The more active April contract slid $1.07 to $68.52.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped $1.06 to $64.36 a barrel after gaining 3.4% to settle at its highest level since September 26 in the previous session.

Prices eased after last night's rally as anticipation of a possible attack on Iran and the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz has yet to materialise, said LSEG senior analyst Anh Pham.

Tensions have escalated due to a U.S. military buildup in the Middle East. U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iran on Wednesday to make a deal on nuclear weapons or face an attack. Tehran responded by saying it would strike back hard.

The dollar rose on Friday, paring a weekly slide, after Trump said he would soon announce his nominee to head the Federal Reserve and on optimism that lawmakers in Washington would avoid a government shutdown.

Both oil benchmarks are set to record their first monthly gains in six months, with Brent up 14.7% to notch its biggest jump since January 2022. WTI is on track to rise 12% in January, its biggest monthly gain since July 2023.

The Trump administration is hosting senior defence and intelligence officials from Israel and Saudi Arabia for separate talks on Iran this week in Washington, according to two people familiar with the matter. U.S. officials say Trump is reviewing his options but has not decided whether to strike Iran.

"Given elevated inflation and this year's midterm elections, we do not anticipate protracted oil supply disruptions," JPMorgan analysts led by Natasha Kaneva said in a note.

"If military action does occur, we expect it to be targeted, avoiding Iran’s oil production and export infrastructure."

Citi expects the U.S. and Israel to take restrained actions against Iran in the near-term, including oil tanker seizures; it cited a 70% probability for this outcome.

Disruptions in Kazakhstan, Russia and Venezuela affected a combined 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of supply in January, JPMorgan analysts said, adding that the Arctic wave in the U.S. is estimated to reduce crude and condensate output by 340,000 bpd this month.

On Wednesday, Kazakhstan said it was restarting the huge Tengiz oilfield in stages, aiming to reach full production in a week after three unexplained electrical fires earlier this month impacted 7.2 million barrels of oil output.

Bad weather has hit Russian oil exports, while Venezuela was forced to cut production after U.S. forces ousted President Nicolas Maduro early this month.

The country's interim government on Thursday approved a sweeping reform of its main oil law. The Trump administration also broadly eased sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry on Thursday, actions that could raise Venezuela's oil and gas output and encourage investment.(Reuters)  https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Crude-slides-but-heads-for-biggest-monthly-gain-in-years

“Tidbits From TNT” Saturday Morning 1-31-2026

TNT:

Tishwash: Parliament sets next Sunday as the date for the session to elect the President of the Republic

The media department of the House of Representatives announced today, Friday, that next Sunday has been set as the date for holding a session to elect the President of the Republic.

Agenda for Session No. 7, Sunday, February 1, 2026

Department of Affairs

Parliamentary Session

Recitation of verses from the Holy Quran

First: Taking of the constitutional oath by some members of parliament.

Second: Election of the President of the Republic.

The session starts at eleven o'clock in the morning.  link

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Tishwash:  An economic expert reveals a roadmap for freeing Iraqi funds from the grip of the US Federal Reserve.

On Friday, economist Nabil Al-Marousmi revealed several solutions and proposals to free Iraqi funds from the control of the US Federal Reserve. 

Al-Marsoumi said in a post followed by “Al-Ahd News”: “The United States has effectively controlled Iraqi oil revenues since 2003 through its management via the Federal Reserve. The United Nations had provided legal protection for these funds under Resolution 1483, until it was terminated in 2011, following the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1956.”

He added that "the US president issued Executive Order 13303 to protect Iraqi funds, an order that remains in effect today despite some amendments." He explained that "the objectives of US protection of Iraqi funds are to safeguard them from compensation claims by companies and individuals, as well as to prevent the seizure of Iraqi assets in cases filed since the 1990s."

He emphasized that "despite the expiration of many of the legal reasons that necessitated this financial arrangement, Iraq remains subject to strict financial oversight by Washington, which differs from the usual procedures in the international banking system."

Al-Marsoumi pointed out that “most oil-producing countries deposit their money in the US Federal Reserve because oil is sold in dollars, but Iraq suffers from complete dependence on oil revenues without alternative resources,” explaining that “this means that the problem is not in depositing money with the US Federal Reserve, but rather in the restrictions imposed on the ability to dispose of it freely, unlike what other countries enjoy.”

He continued: “It is known that there are cases filed against Iraq by dozens or hundreds of companies that were harmed by Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, and representatives of Iraq did not attend the court sessions at the time to defend or reduce the compensations, and therefore the courts issued default judgments for very high amounts.”

He noted that “linking the issue of protecting Iraqi funds from prosecution to America gives Washington great influence over Baghdad, and resolving the crisis requires a political decision, as happened with Greece and Argentina, by employing a reputable law firm that is given full powers, whose task will be to accurately inventory the cases filed against Iraq and how much money has been awarded in judgments.”

Al-Marsoumi concluded that “Iraq is unable to resort to the courts because the judgments have become final, so a deal can be reached with the beneficiaries to drop the lawsuits in exchange for giving them a percentage of the money, which is called buying the debts, and most likely they will accept because they will get money instead of waiting and possibly not getting anything.”    link

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Tishwash:  What financial challenges will the next government face?

Indicators are mounting that the financial situation in Iraq is becoming more complex, with the ongoing salary crisis and rising dollar exchange rates in local markets, amid the absence of a budget and the caretaker government's reliance on temporary solutions, which experts describe as incapable of containing the crisis or preventing its escalation during the current phase, thus placing the next government in front of these crises. 

"Temporary solutions"

In this context, MP Haider Al-Rubaie stressed that “the government’s resorting to deducting from the salaries of employees, especially those with higher degrees, reflects a clear deadlock in financial solutions, noting that these measures cannot constitute a real solution to the crisis.”

Al-Rubaie said that “the government is facing a complex financial situation in the absence of a budget and the tight time frame, which pushes it to borrow or cut as emergency options, warning of the danger of continuing to rely on internal and external debts without a stable financial vision.”

He explained that "solving the salary crisis depends on forming a new government capable of addressing economic issues and developing realistic solutions that alleviate the burdens on citizens, noting that the upcoming challenges are not limited to salaries only, but also include accumulated debts and service crises such as water and rising prices."

Dollar and gold 

In parallel, economist Duraid Al-Anzi points out that "the rise in the dollar exchange rate in Iraq is no longer only related to the measures of the Central Bank, but has become directly affected by the movement of gold and silver prices in global markets, which are witnessing a remarkable rise." 

Al-Anzi explained that "the increasing demand for dollars in the local market is also due to smuggling and hoarding operations, as a result of the gap between the official price adopted in the budget, the central bank's selling price, and the market price, which encouraged citizens and traders to acquire dollars and turn them from a savings tool into a means of speculation."

He stressed that “the continuation of political tensions in the region and the absence of global economic stability prevent any real decrease in the price of the dollar, while at the same time criticizing the performance of the caretaker government and the lack of a clear vision in managing the exchange rate issue.”

Between the salary crisis and the rising dollar, the next government appears to be facing a difficult financial and economic test, requiring bold decisions that go beyond temporary solutions and set a reform path that balances protecting citizens' income and market stability, in a highly turbulent regional and international environment.  link

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Mot: Thinking - This Might be a Great Idea!!! -- Huh!!!! 

Mot:  .. I Can Soooooooo - Relate!!!! 

FRANK26….1-30-26…..I GIVE UP

KTFA

Friday Night Video

FRANK26….1-30-26…..I GIVE UP

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAZI1-SqQUY

$500 Silver? This Short Squeeze Could Become a Systemic Risk | Willem Middelkoop & Michelle Makori

$500 Silver? This Short Squeeze Could Become a Systemic Risk | Willem Middelkoop & Michelle Makori

Miles Franklin Media:  1-30-2026

Michelle Makori, President & Editor-in-Chief, Miles Franklin Media, sits down with Willem Middelkoop, Founder & CIO of the Commodity Discovery Fund, on The Real Story to unpack what he calls “Silver 2.0” – a potential structural break in the silver market.

Middelkoop warns that the current silver rally is not a typical cycle but an early-stage short squeeze, driven by physical shortages, institutional demand, and years of paper market suppression.

He argues that silver prices could ultimately reach $500 per ounce, while gold may be headed toward $10,000 to $20,000 in a broader monetary reset.

 In this episode of The Real Story with Michelle Makori:

Why silver’s physical supply is colliding with massive paper claims

How a silver short squeeze could create stress for banks and hedge funds

What “metal wars” mean for gold, silver, and critical commodities

Why central banks are quietly preparing for a global monetary reset

How gold price discovery is shifting from the West to Asia

00:00 Coming Up

01:28 Introduction

 03:40 Silver 2.0 & Market Dynamics

 07:58 The Big Reset: Historical Context & Future Predictions

13:01 Institutional Demand & Market Manipulation

 25:21 Potential Repricing & Market Impact

27:02 The Perfect Storm for Commodities

29:08 Potential Financial System Ripple Effects

34:41 The Big Reset & Gold's Role

46:08 Geopolitical Tensions & Gold Repatriation

 48:09 Future Gold Valuation & Global Impact

50:58 China's Role in Gold Pricing

52:03 Conclusion & Final Thoughts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szkmLQCBNXY

Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 1-29-26

Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 1-29-26 

Transcribed By WiserNow Emailed To Recaps   (INTEL ONLY)

Welcome everybody  to  the big call tonight it is Thursday, January 29th , and you're listening to the big call.  thanks for tuning in, everybody. I'm excited because I've done some veterans retreat research tonight and I'm kind of excited I may discuss that a little bit in my segment

Okay, get into the Intel. let me address one thing that was on Tuesday night's call, and that was the concept of the Clarity Act.   Now we have sources that say that it's done signed off.  The government source is saying it's still in the Senate. So I can't tell you definitively that it is done, absolutely, but we're hearing from some of our Inside sources that it is.

So I'm going to just let that one lay and say that's the one that deals with the crypto coins. We'll have a virtual wallet, or E  wallet for those of you that want those crypto coins. If you do get into it, make sure you do really good research on it. We know the XRP is the one is backing our USN - our new dollar, and it's supposed to be gold backed.

So you know, to want to have those coins and an E wallet, have at it. Go for it, if that's what you want. Do your research. Though, I am not up to speed on it. I don't think I need it personally, because I'm into, you know, the other currencies that are exotic, that are about to re- value -- that's more important to me than that.

And I think people that want to take advantage of precious metals like gold and silver and platinum and palladium, that kind of thing, those, as you guys know, are going up, but there are times where they'll go up and then drop back and have a dip.

And sometimes they'll go up from there and then they didn't have another dip, just similar to what happens to stocks. But I know that silver is doing really well, and gold is, gosh, gold touched, I think 50, almost $5,400, an ounce today

Silver is was doing great also. So they're supposed to, according to some sources, it should hit over to $200 or so by the end of the year. I think that's very doable. So that's, I'm not promoting it. I'm just saying, look into it, research it. I think it sounds really interesting.

You know, precious metals are something that you have to figure out. Where are you going to keep them? You're going to put them? Are you going to pay somebody to barn and protect and store those precious metals? Or are you going to have plans to do that yourself?

Just something to keep in mind when it comes to owning, and I don't mean owning a certificate that says you have gold that I wouldn't do you want to buy gold? Buy the private, actual precious metal, and make sure it's real gold. Same thing for the silver. Make sure the purity is, you know, 999, if you can get it pure silver. And there's ways to test for that all right. Now, let's get out of that. Get into what we're hearing.

You guys remember that Tuesday night, the information that came in that day was talking about us getting notified over the weekend and maybe starting Monday or Tuesday. Well, we've had a slight movement in that that we heard this morning. We do have people with Wells Fargo that are getting emails from, also from HSBC. Never HSBC handling oversight of Canada and a lot of other areas around the world, whereas Wells Fargo is over the redemption centers in the United States.

Okay, so there's a slight difference in the way that's being handled, but the emails that our redemption center leaders are getting is telling them, is telling them that we should have notifications, not tonight, Wednesday or Thursday, rather, but next week, like the fourth and fifth, which is Wednesday, and then it changes maybe Thursday. So we're pushed to Wednesday, Thursday of next week, the fourth and fifth of February.

Now, could we get anything sooner? I can only tell you that the redemption center leaders were told to come in Tuesday morning, at 9:30 in the morning. Does that mean anything for us on Tuesday, or is it just a way for them to check to see what the rates are on screens to get the latest update? Maybe they've got another phone conference that day. We don't know.

We don't know. It doesn't necessarily mean anything's going to happen for us on Tuesday, but based on the information we've had from several sources today, it looks like we're going to get notified maybe Wednesday or Thursday, or get notified Wednesday and start exchanges Thursday. I think that's the most likely scenario of the fourth and fifth of February.

All right, so that is, that is good. And you know, guys believe me when I tell you I don't like it pushed any more than you guys do.

You got to know that, what happens when I get information, I try to vet it. I see how many sources are saying it. Who are the sources? What is, you know, where are they coming from on this, you know, but it's like one of our military sources told us, he said, Look, this thing is like a military operation. Just when you think it's ready to go, something changes, and it moves, it morphs, it changes. And it's like that, because look how many times I've had real solid Intel, and all of a sudden nothing --  crickets. And, you know, I keep telling my handler. I said, Look, all we need is for this to happen as the Intel comes in.

All we need is for it to go as Intel is saying it will. Well, looks like we're not going to make it in the month of January, not even this weekend, and maybe not even Monday or Tuesday, but more likely, Wednesday, Thursday.

I can't tell you why we're pushed exactly, but all I can say is that is the latest that I've had today, and it came from several sources this morning. So I'm going to go with that. That's what we have to do, right?

We have to stay positive. We have to have power thoughts like Sue brought out tonight, and we have to see ourselves as our future self, having made the phone call with the 800 number to the call center and set up an appointment to go in and do our exchanges and redemption of Zim, and at that time, when you go into the Reduction Center, that is when we'll let them know, yes, I am a Zim holder, as you can plainly see, you see all the Zim I have and and I have a dire need. Why is that important for the med beds? Because they want those of us who have projects, which is the vast majority of those listening to you know, Big Call U niverse is who I call you.

And so if you have those projects, you need to be around a while to see them to completion, even if you're just a founder of certain projects and you're not involved in the day to day, which is fine.

You can be a founder. There's nothing wrong with that at all. It's a good position to be in. But you want to see a certain amount of progress in your projects, and you want to see them go, come to completion.

Some might be complete in 50 years, maybe 100 150, 200 years, it might take a get everything done, although, to be honest, I really think that the technology is going to allow this to move pretty quickly. 2026, once we get started, could be a gang buster of a year for us, for everyone.

And of course, those of us who have been involved in the currencies, and especially Zim, have a distinct advantage over a lot of other people, but we do expect the DOGE and the R and R and those Tariff `` dividends to come out, but they're not going to be this month, in January, and hopefully they come out in February.

And I think our R and R is going to be either a direct deposit to our bank accounts, or maybe it's going to be in the quantum account when we go in to do our exchanges, I personally don't think it will be I think it will be a direct deposit. It'll be easier for them to do it. I much prefer it that way, to have it come in that way.

And so I would say I'm looking forward to that as well. It's not going to be as significant for us that have currency, especially Zim holders, because of the vast value in that any of those bearer bonds, it's really what they are for the Zim now, all I know is we have at least two currencies With rates that are solid on these redemption center screens.

We may get more. We're supposed to get new rates Sunday night, which will show up Monday at the redemption centers and at banks.

But the thing I believe is coming to my mind, the real thing we're looking for is to have Iraq finish what they're supposed to be doing, which is seating Prime Minister Sudani as prime minister by their parliament, and getting the influence of Maliki, oh, yeah, that's a blast from the past. Get his influence out of the picture and any Iranian influence in the banks removed.

That's what has to happen. And is that why we're pushed another week from this week? Yeah.

And what's going to happen in Iran might take a little while, but it should be happening pretty soon. Same thing with Cuba and who knows Columbia, same thing there, probably. But we know that we have a peace deal with Ukraine and Russia. Those guys will come to the table and sign it, sign off on it.

And I have not heard that that is done yet.

Supposedly, the agreement is done. The peace accord is done. But I don't know about signatures. So that's really everything I wanted to bring out tonight.

I don't know that there's anything else we need to know right now that we haven't talked about earlier, about putting your Email and signing up for email or an email newsletter to the site is big call universe com, just big call universe. com. Register yourself there. You will get an autoresponder email back, and then it asks you to confirm that you're that you want to be in. It's like a double opt in that Bob said, so that you click on a little, I think you said a blue that ops you in to receive it, and then open up these emails.

It's going to come from, going to come from boomers or see that, but that is what we're doing, what we've been doing. So you'll be registered on the site, and you'll be able to check when we get it posted. Big Call universe.com

All right, so listen, that's what I wanted to say. Thanks everybody for listening, and thank you Bob, so much for the CO hosts on the big call.

All right, so let's go ahead thank everybody again, and let's go ahead and pray the call out, and then we'll say good night and have a great weekend.  

All right, everybody, let's go ahead, turn the recording off and we'll see you on Tuesday. 

Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 1-27-26 REPLAY LINK   Intel Begins   1:26:36

https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/wall/recorded_audio?audioRecordingUrl=https%3A%2F%2Frs0002.freeconferencecall.com%2Fstorage%2FsgetHD%2FHsCgW%2FOQwH

Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Tuesday Night 1-27-26 REPLAY LINK   Intel Begins   1:23:23

https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/wall/recorded_audio?audioRecordingUrl=https%3A%2F%2Frs0002.freeconferencecall.com%2Fstorage%2FsgetHD%2FHsCgW%2FOQPt

Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 1-22-26 REPLAY LINK   Intel Begins   1:19:00

https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/wall/recorded_audio?audioRecordingUrl=https%3A%2F%2Frs0002.freeconferencecall.com%2Fstorage%2FsgetHD%2FHsCgW%2FOQQv

Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Tuesday Night 1-20-26 REPLAY LINK   Intel Begins   1:07:15

https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/wall/recorded_audio?audioRecordingUrl=https%3A%2F%2Frs0002.freeconferencecall.com%2Fstorage%2FsgetHD%2FHsCgW%2FOzM7

Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 1-15-26 REPLAY LINK   Intel Begins   1:05:30

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Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Tuesday Night 1-13-26 REPLAY LINK   Intel Begins   1:14:54

https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/wall/recorded_audio?audioRecordingUrl=https%3A%2F%2Frs0002.freeconferencecall.com%2Fstorage%2FsgetHD%2FHsCgW%2FOztp

Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 1-8-26 REPLAY LINK   Intel Begins   1:22:42

https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/wall/recorded_audio?audioRecordingUrl=https%3A%2F%2Frs0002.freeconferencecall.com%2Fstorage%2FsgetHD%2FHsCgW%2FOzCO

Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Tuesday Night 1-6-26 REPLAY LINK   Intel Begins   1:13:10

https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/wall/recorded_audio?audioRecordingUrl=https%3A%2F%2Frs0002.freeconferencecall.com%2Fstorage%2FsgetHD%2FHsCgW%2FOzIo

Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 1-1-26 New Year’s Day   NO CALL  

Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Tuesday Night 12-30-25 REPLAY LINK   Intel Begins   56:00

https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/wall/recorded_audio?audioRecordingUrl=https%3A%2F%2Frs0002.freeconferencecall.com%2Fstorage%2FsgetHD%2FHsCgW%2FOO1I

Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 12-25-25 REPLAY LINK   Intel Begins   20:40

https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/wall/recorded_audio?audioRecordingUrl=https%3A%2F%2Frs0002.freeconferencecall.com%2Fstorage%2FsgetHD%2FHsCgW%2FOOod

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Friday Afternoon 1-30-26

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

US Dollar Value Is Falling: 3 Trends Driving the Decline

Dollar weakness accelerates as markets pivot to safe havens and investors question U.S. policy confidence

 Overview

The U.S. dollar has been sliding sharply, prompting global markets to shift toward safe-haven assets like gold and silver. From the U.S. Dollar Index hitting multi-year lows to rising expectations of interest-rate cuts and political uncertainty, three major trends are driving the currency’s fall — with implications for reserve diversification, capital flows, and structural monetary shifts.

Key Developments

1. Political Signals Undermine Confidence

President Donald Trump’s public comments downplaying the dollar’s weakness — including calling the currency “great” even as it sinks to its lowest level in four years — have spooked markets and exacerbated bearish momentum for the greenback. Analysts say the apparent indifference to the currency’s slide signals tolerance for a weaker dollar, encouraging investors to reduce exposure to dollar-based assets.

2. Interest-Rate Policy and Fed Pressure

Expectations of future interest-rate cuts — coupled with political pressure on the Federal Reserve — have weighed on the dollar. A weaker yield environment makes U.S. dollar-denominated assets less attractive, and markets are pricing in more accommodative policy even as the Fed holds rates steady.

3. Safe-Haven Assets Gaining Traction

As investor confidence in the dollar softens, demand for gold and silver has surged, with prices hitting record territory before recent pullbacks. Precious metals are benefiting from heightened risk sentiment and serve as alternative stores of value amid currency volatility.

Why It Matters

A sustained decline in the U.S. dollar — the world’s primary reserve currency — affects global trade, capital allocation, and relative currency valuations. Persistent weakness undermines the dollar’s safe-haven status and encourages diversification into commodities, other currencies, and alternative financial instruments.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

For foreign currency holders watching the global reset narrative:

• Dollar depreciation supports broader reserve diversification away from a single dominant currency.

• Rising gold and silver prices reflect a shift toward real assets, often associated with monetary stress transitions.

• Confidence erosion in U.S. monetary policy increases interest in alternative systems and regional currencies.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1 — Confidence Erosion in Fiat Anchors:
When the dollar — a foundational reserve asset — weakens persistently, it triggers reassessment of global reserve compositions.

Pillar 2 — Safe Haven Reallocation:
Flight toward gold and silver strengthens the case for commodity-anchored frameworks as part of a broader shift in monetary architecture.

This is not cyclical volatility — it’s structural repricing.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Reuters — “Dollar sinks to four-year low, Trump brushes off the decline”

• The Guardian — “What is behind the extraordinary rise in investment into silver and gold?”

~~~~~~~~~~

End of the Monetary System? Ray Dalio’s Warning Aligns With BRICS Rise

Debt saturation, gold accumulation, and de-dollarization converge into a structural turning point

Overview

Warnings of a global monetary breakdown are no longer fringe speculation. Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio is intensifying his long-running “Big Cycle” alarm as U.S. national debt pushes past $38 trillion in 2026. His message is stark: governments face an unavoidable choice between monetizing debt or allowing systemic debt crises to unfold.

Dalio’s assessment now directly overlaps with accelerating BRICS de-dollarization, record central-bank gold accumulation, and the emergence of alternative settlement systems. Together, these developments point toward a gradual but fundamental restructuring of the global monetary order.

Key Developments

1. Dalio Warns of Monetary Order Breakdown

Speaking publicly, including at recent global forums, Dalio described the current phase as the breakdown of a decades-long monetary system built on expanding debt and currency debasement. According to Dalio, policymakers are boxed into a dilemma with generational consequences:

“We are now dealing with the breakdown of the monetary order, and we face a terrible choice: Do you print money or do you let a debt crisis happen?”

Dalio has repeatedly warned that unchecked borrowing acts like an “aggressive cancer” on the financial system, with interest payments now consuming an unprecedented share of government budgets.

2. BRICS Accelerates De-Dollarization

While Dalio outlines the theory, BRICS nations are executing the response. Russia and China now reportedly settle roughly 90% of their bilateral trade in national currencies, bypassing the U.S. dollar entirely.

In December 2025, BRICS launched “The Unit,” a gold-linked settlement pilot composed of 40% physical gold and 60% BRICS currencies. What was once planning has moved into implementation, signaling a structural shift rather than symbolic resistance.

India’s assumption of the BRICS presidency in 2026 further institutionalizes this trajectory, even as New Delhi maintains a more cautious public stance toward outright dollar replacement.

3. Gold Re-Emerges as Monetary Anchor

Central banks purchased over 1,100 tonnes of gold in 2025, continuing a multi-year trend away from dollar-denominated reserves. Dalio himself has recommended holding 10–15% of portfolios in gold, citing protection against currency devaluation.

BRICS nations collectively control more than 6,000 tonnes of gold reserves, reinforcing credibility for gold-linked settlement alternatives. Gold prices are now widely projected toward $6,000 per ounce, reflecting not just inflation hedging—but confidence erosion in fiat systems.

4. Dollar Dominance Fractures, Not Collapses

Despite these shifts, the dollar remains dominant in global transactions. However, its share of central-bank reserves has declined from 65.3% in 2016 to roughly 59% in recent data. This slow erosion aligns with Dalio’s “Big Cycle” thesis: reserve currencies don’t disappear overnight—they fade as confidence migrates elsewhere.

Why It Matters

Dalio’s warning is not about a sudden collapse—it’s about loss of trust over time. As debt expands faster than growth and currency supply rises faster than productivity, alternatives naturally gain traction.

The convergence of theory (Dalio), action (BRICS), and behavior (gold accumulation) suggests the global system is already adjusting beneath the surface.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

For those anticipating currency revaluation during a global reset, this environment favors realignment rather than delay. Gold-linked settlement systems, reduced dollar exposure, and multipolar reserve strategies historically precede repricing events.

Currency holders are watching not rhetoric—but reserve flows, settlement mechanisms, and asset backing.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Debt Saturation Forces Change
The system can no longer expand debt indefinitely without undermining confidence.

Pillar 2: Gold Returns as Neutral Trust Asset
Gold is reclaiming its role as collateral, not speculation.

Pillar 3: Multipolar Monetary Architecture Emerges
BRICS initiatives signal a transition away from unilateral monetary control.

This is not the end of money — it is the end of unquestioned monetary dominance.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Watcher.Guru — “End of Monetary System? Ray Dalio Warning Aligns With BRICS Rise”

• Financial Times — “Who’s been buying all the gold? Central banks ramp up purchases amid monetary uncertainty”

~~~~~~~~~~

🌱 A Message to Our Currency Holders🌱

If you’ve been holding foreign currency for many years, you were not foolish.
You were not wrong to believe the global financial system would change.

What failed was not your patience — it was the information you were given.

For years, dates, rumors, and personalities replaced facts, structure, and proof. “This week” predictions created cycles of hope and disappointment that were never based on how currencies actually change.

That is not your failure.

Our mission here is different:   • No dates • No rates • No hype • No gurus

Instead, we focus on:
• Verifiable developments • Institutional evidence
• Global financial structure • Where countries actually sit in the process

Currency value changes only come after sovereignty, trade, banking, settlement systems, and fiscal coordination are in place. History and institutions confirm this sequence.

You will see silence. You will see denials. That is not delay — that is discipline.

Protect your identity. Organize your documents.       Verify everything.
Never hand your discernment to anyone who cannot show proof.

You deserve truth — not timelines.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News

~~~~~~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

RV Facts with Proof Links Link

RV Updates Proof links - Facts Link

Follow the Gold/Silver Rate COMEX

Follow Fast Facts

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Thank you Dinar Recaps

Markets Repricing Now as Crisis Bigger than 2008 Unleashed

Markets Repricing Now as Crisis Bigger than 2008 Unleashed

David Lin:  1-30-2026

In a recent in-depth interview with David Lin, Peter Schiff, chief market strategist at Euro Pacific Asset Management and founder of Shift Gold, sounded the alarm on an imminent and potentially catastrophic economic collapse.

According to Schiff, the crisis will be centered on the U.S. dollar and its sovereign debt, dwarfing the 2008 financial crisis in both scale and impact.

Schiff argues that the true bubble is not in gold or silver, as many might believe, but rather in the U.S. dollar, the U.S. bond market, and the broader U.S. economy.

As central banks and private investors increasingly shift away from the dollar and towards precious metals, seen as safe havens and stores of value amid rising inflation and fiscal irresponsibility, gold and silver prices are undergoing a significant repricing.

“The crisis will be predominantly American, with global repercussions benefiting other countries as the U.S. loses its economic dominance,” Schiff warns. This sentiment is echoed in his critique of U.S. fiscal policies and tariffs, which he believes have inflationary effects and represent a political failure to address growing debt and deficits.

The decline of the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency is driving a significant shift in the global monetary order.

This, in turn, will affect trade, production, and consumption patterns worldwide. As Schiff notes, the global economic landscape is on the cusp of a major transformation, one that will have far-reaching consequences for investors and economies alike.

In the face of this systemic breakdown, Schiff views gold and silver as the ultimate hedge. He dismisses Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as failed alternatives to gold, citing their lack of true correlation and value preservation.

As the crisis unfolds, Schiff predicts that gold and silver mining stocks, currently undervalued, are poised for significant gains.

Despite recent strong price rallies, most investors remain cautious about precious metals. Schiff advises investors to position themselves in foreign stocks, commodity-linked investments, and precious metals to benefit from the shifting global economic landscape. “The alarm bells are ringing, and it’s time for investors to protect their wealth accordingly,” he urges.

The interview also touched on recent developments in Japan’s bond market and potential repercussions for the U.S. Treasury market. Schiff’s personal investment strategy involves profiting from the decline of the U.S. economy while advocating for sound fiscal policies that he believes will not be implemented.

As the global economic landscape continues to evolve, it’s clear that the status quo is unsustainable. Schiff’s warning is a call to action for investors to recognize the signs of an impending economic collapse and to take steps to protect their wealth. By diversifying into precious metals, foreign stocks, and commodity-linked investments, investors can position themselves for success in a post-dollar-dominated world.

For further insights and information, watch the full video interview with Peter Schiff on David Lin’s channel. The conversation offers a nuanced and in-depth exploration of the coming economic collapse and the opportunities and challenges it will present.

https://youtu.be/QEh3pvDXZHU

Coffee with MarkZ, joined by Mr. Cottrell. 01/30/2026

Coffee with MarkZ, joined by Mr. Cottrell. 01/30/2026

Some highlights by PDK-Not verbatim

MarkZ Disclaimer: Please consider everything on this call as my opinion. People who take notes do not catch everything and its best to watch the video so that you get everything in context.  Be sure to consult a professional for any financial decisions

Member: Happy Friday everyone! hoping this will be a great weekend….. again...

Member: Who thinks the switch may be flipped in the next few days?

Member: Groundhog day is Monday…..Would sure be ironic for RV to happen then.

Member: Hey Mark, hoping you got an update on the bonds?

MZ: The news really is staying optimistic. I mentioned yesterday that a bond contact told me to expect some kind of settlement on the Iranian front over the weekend….they have tremendous expectations for next week. This is from both the bond side and the currency side.

MZ: This fits in with what my Minister of Finance contact in Iraq is saying. I don’t know why Iraqi contacts are so upbeat but, they are upbeat for this weekend .

MZ: They are saying in articles that Iraq will have a decision on their new President on Saturday. Next will be HCL and the Prime Minister.

MZ: Hoping we will move off “stuck” this weekend.

Member: Could we possibly see the RV this weekend?

MZ: I’m not ruling out this weekend.

Member: My contact told me that the Dinar is contracted at $5… said he sent 1.4 billion Dinar to the US Treasury in Reno

Member: I was at the credit union teller last week and a friend was next to me. I mentioned that I planned on having millions soon like him and he laughed. The teller said maybe it will be billions! Hmmmm

MZ: A member sent me a bank story……cannot share some parts but in a nutshell…they had a conversation at a bank and talked about rates. And this bank was very willing to set up an exchange apt. in about 30 days. And they would have access to funds right away. This fits with other bank conversations I have heard. We are following banks closely right now. For the love of God do not email me about this.

MZ: Banks are seeing more fluctuations in numbers…more changes in value…and almost all of them are saying its just a couple more weeks.

Member: Looks like new Federal Reserve head will be Kevin Warsh ?

MZ: From ZeroHedge: “Straight from central casting-President Trump confirms Kevin Warsh as next Fed Chair Nominee” He would be hard on inflation…and has “sound money” policies.…President Trump has changed his position on Warsh…….

Member: IMO-Judy Shelton, ultimately, would be best…She spoke yesterday about pegging gold and other assets to the market.

MZ: Maybe Warsh was brought in to be a “transition” character?

Member: I’m wondering-IF the Fed is supposed to go away, why put a new Chairman in place???

Member: The US has until midnight tonight to avert another government shutdown.

MZ: I do not think there will be a shutdown. President Trump and democrats say there will be short term Department of Homeland Security funding as negotiations continue. The deal still has to make it through the house and the senate…..but I do not think there will be a shutdown.

Member: Charlie Ward said we’re about to see the banks collapse and the stock market.

Member: Perth mint shut down silver sales!

Member: Rumor is Trump wants the RV finished before the 4th of July for the big 250 birthday?

Member: I’ve been saying this for some time, grab some more popcorn, the ride coming to a end.

Member: Like Mark says.. “you’re watching it all play out”

Member: I hope you all have a great weekend! And stay warm. It's cold in the south! 

Mr. Cottrell joins the stream today. Please listen to the replay for his information and opinions

THE CONTENT IN THIS PODCAST IS FOR GENERAL & EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY&NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE ANY PROFESSIONAL, FINANCIAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSIDER EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IN MARKZ’S OPINION ONLY

https://rumble.com/user/theoriginalmarkz

Kick:  https://kick.com/theoriginalmarkz

FOLLOW MARKZ : TWITTER . https://twitter.com/originalmarkz?s=21. TRUTH SOCIAL . https://truthsocial.com/@theoriginalm...

Mod:  MarkZ "Back To Basics" Pre-Recorded Call" for Newbies 10-19-2022 ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37oILmAlptM

MARKZ DAILY LINKS: https://theoriginalmarkz.com/home/

Note from PDK: Please listen to the replay for all the details and entire stream….I do not transcribe political opinions, medical opinions or many guests on this stream……just RV/currency related topics.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING. HAVE A BLESSED DAY! SEE YOU ALL IN THE MORNING FOR COFFEE @ 10:00 AM EST ~ UNLESS BREAKING NEWS HAPPENS!

Youtube:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYj_XTXcLm4

News, Rumors and Opinions Friday 1-30-2026

KTFA:

Clare: Saturday is the decisive day... The Democratic Party presents its final proposals to decide the presidency.

1/30/2026

Wafaa Muhammad Karim, a leader in the Kurdistan Democratic Party, revealed today, Friday, that his party has submitted a number of proposals to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan regarding the position of President of the Republic.

Karim explained in a statement to Al-Furat News Agency that "the proposals include granting the Patriotic Union the position of second deputy speaker of parliament and a sovereign ministry, in addition to some positions in the Kurdistan Regional Government, in exchange for giving up the position of president of the republic."

He pointed to "another proposal that includes activating the regional parliament in one session, stressing that these proposals will mature tomorrow, Saturday, to reach a final decision."

He stressed that "until now there is no agreement on a compromise candidate between the two sides, noting that both parties are still holding on to their respective candidates for the presidency."

Raghid  LINK

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

Clare: Trump's envoy to Iraq responds to rumors of his dismissal: They are fueled by militia networks.

1/30/2026

Mark Savaya, the US president’s special envoy to Iraq, strongly denied rumors of his dismissal, according to a report published Friday by Amberin Zaman, senior correspondent for the US website “Al-Monitor”.

Zaman quoted Savaya in a post on the “X-Twitter” platform (formerly) as saying, “There is a circulation of misinformation, and it appears to be driven by Iranian-backed militia networks.”

Last October, US President Donald Trump decided to appoint Mark Savaya as special envoy to Iraq.

Mark Savaya is the third US envoy to Iraq since Paul Bremer in 2003, and after Brett McGurk, during the war against ISIS in 2014.

Savaya stirred controversy through his writings, in which he explicitly called for ending the issue of armed factions and preventing them from participating in the government, as well as issuing warnings to Iraq and cautioning against a return to a "cycle of complexity".

It is worth noting that Savaya, an American businessman of Iraqi (Chaldean/Assyrian) origin from Michigan, has risen to prominence in recent years through his support for Trump's election campaign and his activities within Middle Eastern communities in the United States.

He had not held previous diplomatic posts, which made his appointment surprising in political circles, but he received confirmation from Trump that he "has a deep understanding of Iraq and influential contacts in the region."  LINK

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

Courtesy of Dinar Guru:  https://www.dinarguru.com/

Militia Man  The central bank is completely separate, was and always has been.  Every time they have a new prime minister, they still have a central bank governor that gets nominated….An exchange rate change can happen because of that independence.

Jeff  They told us two weekends ago that Savaya would be working with the US Treasury regarding OFAC.  There’s no way they could tell you they’re about to lift the OFAC sanctions off of Iraq.  They have to do it secretly…They’re saying, ‘Oh, we’re going to audit and review Iraq just to make sure there’s no corruption.’  No, the reason they’re auditing them is to make sure they’re complaint so they can lift the OFAC sanctions because Iraq is about to go international when they form the government.  That’s what’s going on.

Jeff  The way you know the rate is going to change is if you saw Iraq approving...the remaining 150 laws, which includes the '26 budget, the oil and gas law, article 140, if you saw them working on all that you could tell yourself the rate's not going to change because they're getting all that done without a rate change.  But the fact that they can't do 150+ laws including the '26 budget or the HCL...banking and tax reforms or any other reforms lets you know they're waiting for the rate to change to implement those items...

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

Oliver Nailed $100 Silver – Now Calls For $300-$500

Liberty and Finance: 1-29-2026

Michael Oliver argues that silver’s recent surge is not a conventional bull market but a structural breakout, where decades of range bound pricing are giving way to a new valuation regime driven by monetary decay and relative underpricing to gold.

Using historical analogies like copper and lead, he explains how commodities can abruptly escape long held price ceilings and reprice rapidly once old constraints no longer hold, often accomplishing years of adjustment in a matter of quarters.

From a relative value standpoint, silver remains cheap versus gold despite its gains, suggesting further upside as that historical relationship normalizes alongside continued strength in gold itself.

Beneath the metals rally, Oliver identifies the more dangerous fault line in global government bond markets, where persistent high yields and central bank intervention signal a looming confidence crisis that could force aggressive money creation.

In this framework, silver, gold, and broader commodities represent real assets moving to a higher economic reality, while paper assets face rising systemic risk as the bond market strains under unsustainable debt dynamics.

INTERVIEW TIMELINE:

0:00 Intro

1:00 Silver update

17:00 Pullbacks

19:15 Commodities

22:11 Momentum Structural Analysis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI7b_swoGPo

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Friday Morning 1-30-26

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

Commodity Shockwaves Signal Structural Stress in Global Markets

Oil, metals, crypto, and geopolitics collide as reset pressures intensify

 Overview

Global markets experienced sharp cross‑asset volatility as geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran triggered rapid repricing across oil, metals, crypto, and risk assets. These synchronized moves point to deeper structural stress rather than a routine market correction.

Key Developments

1. Oil Surge on Iran Risk — Brent crude climbed above $70 per barrel as traders priced in heightened Middle East conflict risk and potential supply disruption.

2. Industrial Metals Signal Structural Demand — Copper pushed to record highs above $14,000 per tonne, reinforcing its role as a bellwether for infrastructure and monetary hedging demand.

3. Precious Metals Whipsaw — Gold and silver pulled back from record levels as volatility spiked, reflecting repositioning rather than a reversal of the broader debasement trend.

4. Crypto & Risk Assets Slide — Bitcoin and high‑beta assets fell sharply, highlighting tightening liquidity and risk‑off sentiment during geopolitical stress.

Why It Matters

Cross‑asset volatility occurring simultaneously across commodities, FX, and crypto is historically associated with monetary regime transitions. Markets are increasingly responding to geopolitical triggers as systemic threats rather than isolated events.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

For holders waiting on currency revaluations, commodity price instability reinforces the shift toward hard‑asset backing and alternative settlement mechanisms. Rising metals and energy prices historically precede changes in reserve composition.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Confidence Erosion in Fiat Systems — Energy and metal surges expose inflationary pressure beneath surface stability. 

Pillar 2: Commodities as Monetary Anchors — Industrial and precious metals are increasingly acting as parallel stores of value.

This is not just market volatility — it’s stress testing the existing monetary order before realignment.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• The Guardian — "Brent crude tops $70 per barrel as geopolitical risk rattles markets"

• The Guardian — “Brent crude tops $70 a barrel on Iran concern; metals and markets swing”

~~~~~~~~~~

Dollar Slides to Four‑Year Low as Confidence Fractures

Currency weakness accelerates global diversification away from U.S. dominance

Overview

The U.S. dollar fell to its lowest level in four years, extending a sustained decline driven by policy uncertainty, fiscal concerns, and shifting global reserve strategies.

Key Developments

1. Dollar Index Breakdown — The dollar weakened sharply against major currencies, including the euro and Swiss franc.

2. Policy Signaling from Washington — President Trump dismissed concerns over the dollar’s decline, reinforcing perceptions of tolerance for depreciation.

3. Reserve Diversification Accelerates — Central banks continued reallocating toward gold and non‑dollar assets amid uncertainty.

4. Safe‑Haven Realignment — Traditional dollar safety flows weakened as alternative stores of value gained traction.

Why It Matters

A falling dollar undermines its role as the unquestioned reserve currency. Sustained depreciation incentivizes bilateral trade settlements, commodity‑linked currencies, and parallel financial systems.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

Dollar weakness historically precedes revaluation cycles in select foreign currencies and commodities. This environment supports expectations of asset repricing during a reset phase.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Reserve Currency Transition — Confidence erosion drives diversification away from dollar‑centric reserves. 

Pillar 2: Multipolar Currency Architecture — Trade and settlement systems increasingly bypass dollar dependence.

The dollar’s decline is no longer cyclical — it is structural.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• The Guardian — "U.S. dollar sinks to lowest level in four years"

• Reuters — “Dollar sinks to four-year low as Trump brushes off the decline”

~~~~~~~~~~

Europe Moves Toward Financial Sovereignty as U.S. Focus Shifts

Independent payment systems emerge as reset infrastructure

Overview

European Central Bank officials publicly strengthened the case for autonomous European payment infrastructure, citing rising geopolitical risk and overreliance on U.S.‑controlled financial systems.

Key Developments

1. ECB Endorses Payments Independence — Executive Board member Piero Cipollone highlighted vulnerabilities in existing global payment networks.

2. Digital Euro Momentum — Independent settlement rails and a digital euro were framed as strategic necessities.

3. Reduced Reliance on U.S. Systems — Concerns over sanctions, weaponization of finance, and geopolitical fragmentation drive urgency.

4. Strategic Autonomy Priority — Payments infrastructure is now viewed as core national security.

Why It Matters

Control of payment systems equals control of economic sovereignty. Europe’s pivot signals a global shift away from centralized, U.S.‑centric financial plumbing.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

Independent payment rails increase the probability of new valuation mechanisms for currencies outside the dollar system, supporting reset‑driven repricing scenarios.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Infrastructure Decentralization — Payment systems fragment into regional blocs. 

Pillar 2: Digital & Alternative Settlement — Currency competition expands beyond FX into system architecture.

The reset is no longer theoretical — it is being built in real time.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Reuters — "ECB’s Cipollone says geopolitical risks strengthen case for European payments autonomy"

• Reuters — “Digital euro could help make euro zone self-sufficient in payments, ECB’s Cipollone says”
  

~~~~~~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

RV Facts with Proof Links Link

RV Updates Proof links - Facts Link

Follow the Gold/Silver Rate COMEX

Follow Fast Facts

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Thank you Dinar Recaps

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Friday Morning 1-30-26

Monetary And Financial Measures To Control The Market And Protect The Iraqi Dinar

Baghdad: Shukran Al-Fatlawi    Saja Al-Gharawi

As part of the government’s efforts to regulate the market and enhance monetary stability, the relevant financial institutions continue to implement a package of integrated policies aimed at protecting the exchange rate of the Iraqi dinar and reducing the impact of emerging changes on the national economy, especially with regard to the price gap between the official and unofficial markets for foreign currencies.

For the past two days, Iraqi markets have witnessed fluctuations in the exchange rate of the US dollar, which has exceeded 150,000 dinars.

Jassim Al-Aradi, a member of the Baghdad Economic Forum, said that the recent increases in exchange rates within the local markets came as a result of the overlap of a group of factors, most notably the application of the “Askoda” system, which prompted some traders to look for quick alternatives to secure the requirements of their foreign trade. 

Procedural Paths

He added to “Al-Sabah” that some traders turned to the parallel market to obtain dollars, due to the delays or procedural paths that accompanied the first stages of implementing the system, which led to an increase in the unregulated demand for foreign currency, and directly affected the movement of the market and price levels.

Real Demand

Al-Aradi stated that the Central Bank of Iraq continues to play its role in meeting the real demand for dollars for foreign trade purposes, through official channels, and in accordance with compliance controls and international standards.

 He pointed out that addressing these increases requires giving the market a period of time. 

Sufficient to adapt to the new mechanisms, along with simplifying procedures and intensifying coordination between the concerned parties, which contributes to reducing recourse to the parallel market, restoring balance to the exchange market, and maintaining the stability of the dinar and the confidence of dealers in the adopted monetary policies. 

The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Dr. Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, told Al-Sabah: “Reducing the gap between the official exchange rate in the organized market and its counterpart in the unorganized market is not a single monetary decision, but rather a conscious coordination between fiscal and monetary policy, supported by financial reforms that contribute to strengthening confidence and reducing risks.”

Economic Behavior

Saleh pointed out that this coordination aims to redirect economic behavior from hedging and speculation to stability, through the continuation of financial and trade policies and in full cooperation with the Central Bank of Iraq, in a way that enhances monetary stability and preserves the purchasing power of the citizen.

He stressed that controlling public spending and directing it towards development priorities, along with regulating the demand for foreign currency through official banking channels, represent two fundamental pillars in reducing the artificial pressures on the parallel market and narrowing the gap between the official and parallel prices, in line with the objectives of monetary stability stipulated in the Central Bank of Iraq Law No. (56) of 2004.

Boosting Confidence In The Dinar

Saleh explained that the monetary authorities' continued adoption of a policy to defend the exchange rate, supported by strong foreign reserves, in conjunction with liquidity management and bolstering confidence in the national currency, has contributed to maintaining stable prices for basic commodities and citizens' living standards within safe inflation ranges.

He pointed out that these measures are part of a broader reform path aimed at enhancing the transparency of public finances, improving compliance with the global financial system, and supporting the resilience of the banking sector, thereby consolidating economic stability and strengthening the confidence of citizens and stakeholders in the national economy.

Market Regulation

For his part, economist Ziad al-Hashemi told Al-Sabah that regulatory and control measures in local markets directly contribute to reducing speculation, which in turn reduces artificial demand for dollars in the parallel market, even if it doesn't eliminate it entirely. Al-Hashemi explained that factors contributing to high exchange rates remain, especially with the implementation of new systems such as the unified customs system (ASYCUDA), which was accompanied by uncontrolled demand for dollars, leading to additional pressure on the exchange rate in the recent period.

Cash Reserve

For his part, Dr. Sadiq Al-Rikabi, Director of Economic Research at the Global Center for Development Studies in the United Kingdom, pointed out that the Central Bank of Iraq's reserves represent the first line of defense for the dinar. He explained that the reserves' ability to meet the demand for dollars during any significant increases contributes to strengthening public and commercial confidence in the national currency.

Al-Rikabi also addressed the issue of inflation, clarifying that the rise in prices is not related to monetary inflation, but rather to structural inflation stemming from Iraq's heavy reliance on imports to meet its needs. This creates a continuous demand for dollars and affects the exchange rate.   https://alsabaah.iq/127173-.html

Economists: Lower Inflation Rates Reflect A State Of Stability

 Baghdad: Al-Sabah   Economists described the decline in inflation rates as a positive sign reflecting a state of relative stability in local markets. These indicators come at a time when many countries are facing inflationary pressures resulting from geopolitical tensions and rising energy and transportation costs, giving the Iraqi experience special importance in understanding the current economic landscape.

Economic expert Dr. Salwan al-Hashemi stated that the current decline in inflation rates in Iraq indicates a period of relative economic stability, particularly given the challenging economic conditions facing the region and the world. He noted that geopolitical fluctuations and rising global transportation and energy costs often impact local markets, but recent indicators suggest the Iraqi market's ability to absorb some of these pressures.

Trade Finance

Al-Nouri added that this decrease is largely due to the stability of foreign trade financing at the official exchange rate, which contributed to reducing the waves of unjustified increases in commodity prices, especially imported ones, indicating that monetary and regulatory measures helped to control market activity and limit speculation that was a direct burden on the purchasing power of the citizen.

Local Products

For his part, economist Ahmed Mukallaf confirmed that the abundance of supply in local markets, whether of imported goods or local products, contributed to creating a state of balance between supply and demand, and indicated that this balance helped to curb inflation, despite the continued challenges related to operational costs, fees and taxes imposed on commercial activity. 

Makhlef pointed out that maintaining low inflation rates requires continued monetary stability and boosting domestic production, along with diversifying income sources and reducing reliance on imports, and that these steps represent the real guarantee for the sustainability of price stability.

Food Department

At a time when the Ministry of Planning announced a decrease in the annual inflation rate by (1.2 percent) during December of 2025, compared to the same period of 2024. The Ministry explained that the food sector recorded a decrease in its prices by (0.7 percent) during the same month, in a positive indicator related to basic commodities.

Inflation Rate

Ministry spokesperson Abdul Zahra al-Hindawi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the inflation rate in December 2025 remained stable, showing no increase or decrease compared to the preceding month of November. He added that the core inflation rate decreased by 0.4 percent, noting that seven sectors experienced slight price increases, while three sectors saw price decreases, and two sectors maintained the same price levels as the previous month. https://alsabaah.iq/126932-.html

Expert: Salary Payments Delayed Due To Cash Liquidity Crisis... And This Is The Reason For The Dollar's Rise

Time: 2026/01/29  Readings: 375 times  {Economic: Al-Furat News} Economic expert, Jalil Al-Lami, confirmed that the delay in paying employee salaries is due to a cash liquidity crisis, while he attributed the reason for the rise in the dollar exchange rate to the law of supply and demand and the increase in speculation in the parallel market.

Al-Lami told Al-Furat News Agency that "the delay in employee salaries is technical due to poor management of transfers between the Ministry of Finance and the banks, in addition to problems with the electronic file and the existence of a liquidity crisis for the Iraqi dinar, which greatly affected the disbursement of salaries, and I believe that the crisis has been overcome after the Ministry of Finance's statement."

He added that "the dollar is subject to the law of supply and demand, and the rise in its prices is due to speculators and demand from small traders in the parallel market to cover their needs. Information also indicates a decline in the value of the dollar globally, which is met with a rise in the prices of goods and services, which has increased the demand for the currency in Iraq."

Al-Lami stressed "the need for the government to work through market and bank monitoring committees to ensure the stability of exchange rates, and for there to be transparency in dealings between the Iraqi bank and importing merchants, especially with the approach of the month of Ramadan."

He explained that "there is a direct relationship between gold and oil on one hand and the dollar on the other, as demand for oil from China has increased from two million barrels per day to three million barrels per day, at a time when OPEC has decided to reduce production by about one million two hundred thousand barrels per day. In addition, most global oil traders are working to raise prices to control the volatility in the markets."

Al-Lami concluded by saying, "The rise in oil prices is yielding positive results for the Iraqi economy and contributing to covering employee salaries."

Global oil prices recorded a significant jump in trading on Thursday, achieving gains of more than 4.3%, pushing Brent crude above the $70 per barrel mark, recording $70.33.   Wafaa Al-Fatlaw     LINK

“Tidbits From TNT” Friday Morning 1-30-2026

TNT:

Tishwash:  Ministry of Planning: The World Bank is proceeding with opening a dedicated office in Baghdad.

The Ministry of Planning confirmed that the World Bank is proceeding with opening a special office in Baghdad, in a move that reflects the bank's support for the Iraqi government, noting that Iraq has taken excellent steps in terms of reforms, while the bank expressed its readiness to provide greater support in areas of joint cooperation.

A statement from the ministry, a copy of which was received by Al-Furat News, stated that: “This came during a joint meeting with the World Bank team to discuss new projects in the current year’s budget 2026, within the framework of strengthening joint development cooperation between the two sides, in the presence of the World Bank’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Jean-Christophe Carré.”

Undersecretary for Technical Affairs Maher Hammad Johan said, “This meeting is an important step to frame the future relationship, whether at the level of the government or sectoral institutions, with the World Bank,” explaining that “the new projects were prepared in coordination with the various government institutions and ministries, especially the Ministry of Finance, in addition to the Prime Minister’s Office.”

He added, "The meeting was fruitful, during which the extent to which the Iraqi government can prepare its commitments to move forward under the umbrella of joint work with the World Bank was discussed, as well as which sectors will be targeted and the time limits for those projects." He explained that "higher authorities will be addressed regarding what the World Bank will provide in order to benefit from it in organizing priorities before proceeding with the new budget law."

Johan noted that "the World Bank is proceeding with opening a special office in Baghdad, which confirms the bank's support for the government, given that Iraq has taken excellent steps, and that they are ready to provide greater support in the field of joint cooperation with Iraq."  link

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Tishwash:  International Finance Corporation: Central Bank of Iraq measures are leading banks to finance development projects

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) confirmed on Thursday that the Central Bank's measures are leading banks to finance development projects, while calling for the creation of a market for syndicated bank loans in Iraq.

Bilal Al-Saghir, the resident representative of the International Finance Corporation, said during his participation in the (Iraq Development Platform), which was attended by a correspondent from the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The measures taken by the Central Bank of Iraq are leading the banking system to carry out the process of financing development projects, including energy projects of all kinds, but there are a set of limitations that frame the work of local banks operating in Iraq.”

He added that "there are two main links, the first is the financing of energy projects, which is a large-scale financing process, and therefore may conflict with the rules of credit concentration. The second link is the required financing periods, which exceed the ability of any bank to provide them, as the financing operations exceed 10 years and more, and therefore this conflicts with the scale of bank maturities."

He added that "the banking system has a major role in financing energy projects," calling for "the creation of a market for syndicated bank loans to combine their capabilities to provide the required financing amounts and terms."

He continued: "The other aspect relates to activating the capital sector in Iraq," referring to "green, regular, or blue bond operations, or green and blue sukuk, meaning the capital market."

He explained that "international financing institutions provide ample room for partnership with local banking institutions to provide financing operations in the required sizes because they are not bound by the controls imposed on banks."

He called for "a full partnership between the Iraqi banking sector and international financing institutions to participate in providing the required financing, which is of large volumes," noting that "the call for participation between local institutions and the relevant international financial institutions comes to provide the required financing, as our need to implement energy projects of all kinds is an urgent need."  link

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Tishwash: The Iraqi economy: US pressure and a liquidity crisis threaten financial stability.

Worrying indicators show the fragility of the Iraqi economy, with escalating external pressures and fluctuating oil prices, in parallel with an internal liquidity crisis that has begun to affect salaries and markets.

At a time when Iraq faces complex political and economic challenges, alarming indicators of a fragile financial situation are mounting, amidst ongoing US pressure, sharp fluctuations in oil prices, and a domestic liquidity crisis that is beginning to directly impact the lives of citizens and local markets. These factors combined are putting the Iraqi economy to a difficult test and raising serious questions about the government's ability to contain the repercussions and maintain economic stability in the coming period.

In this context, economist Bassem Anton stressed that Iraq is subjected to multi-dimensional pressures, in which political and economic considerations are intertwined, noting that these pressures are used to achieve gains related to sensitive regional issues, most notably the Palestinian issue, the Iranian file, and the power struggles in the region.

Anton explained that the United States adopts an approach of pressure, threats, and then gradual retreat as part of managing its political interests, indicating that Iraq is still unable to draw clear paths to deal with these pressures in a way that protects its economy.

He added that a drop in oil prices to levels that could reach $45 a barrel, in the event that the markets are flooded with Venezuelan oil, will directly affect the Iraqi economy, noting that the general budget depends on oil revenues by nearly 90%, which means a possible deficit in the implementation of projects, disruption of reconstruction plans, and exacerbation of service problems.

Employee salaries

In parallel, economist Mustafa Al-Faraj warned that the continued delay in paying the salaries of employees and retirees is a dangerous indicator of a severe liquidity crisis that could lead to a gradual paralysis of local markets.

Al-Faraj explained that more than 60% of consumer activity in Iraq depends on a fixed monthly income, stressing that any delay in salaries immediately affects purchasing power and leads to a recession that begins with non-essential goods before extending to food items.

He pointed out that the repercussions of the crisis are not limited to citizens , but also put pressure on traders and small business owners, and lead to a slowdown in the cash cycle, which negatively affects tax revenues and commercial activity in general.

Al-Faraj linked the salary delay crisis to the increasing financial deficit, explaining that internal debts exceeded 80 trillion dinars, and warning of a monthly liquidity crisis if the structural imbalance in public finances is not addressed.

He stressed that the solution lies in real reforms that include reducing unnecessary expenditures, reviewing the salaries and allowances of senior officials, and controlling public spending, in order to ensure the sustainability of salaries and market stability.

Between external pressures controlling oil prices and an internal liquidity crisis threatening the regularity of salary payments, the Iraqi economy faces complex challenges that require bold decisions and urgent reforms. Continued over-reliance on oil and the postponement of financial solutions portend deeper repercussions that could affect economic and social stability, compelling the government to act swiftly to avert a recession that will be difficult to contain in the future.   link

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Mot: Ya Just Gots to - REALLY - Think it Through - HUH!!!! 

Mot: Ya KNows!!! Question Everything!!!! 

MilitiaMan and Crew: IQD News Update-Iraq Dinar: REER Adjustment Momentum 2026

MilitiaMan and Crew: IQD News Update-Iraq Dinar: REER Adjustment Momentum 2026

1-29-2026

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