Iraq Economic News and Points to Ponder Saturday Morning 4-26-25

Washington Affirms Its Support For Iraq's Sovereignty During The Meeting Between Rubio And Fuad Hussein

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated his country's support for Iraq's sovereignty on Saturday, which promotes stability in the Middle East.

In a post on Twitter following his meeting with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Rubio said, "A strong, stable, and sovereign Iraq, free from malign influence, is vital to regional stability and the preservation of US interests and opportunities."

He added that he had a "valuable conversation with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein," praising Iraq's efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote constructive dialogue in the region.   https://www.radionawa.com/all-detail.aspx?jimare=41703

US Secretary Of State: A Strong And Stable Iraq Is Vital To The Stability Of The Region.

Saturday, April 26, 2025 | Politics Number of reads: 183  Baghdad / NINA / US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed: "A strong, stable, and sovereign Iraq, free from malign influence, is vital to the stability of the region and the preservation of US interests and opportunities therein.

" Rubio said in a post on the "X" website: "I had a valuable dialogue with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein. I commend his efforts to calm tensions and promote constructive dialogue in the region." / End  https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?Key=1210180

The Minister Of Finance Participates In The Annual Spring Meetings Of The World Bank Group And The International Monetary Fund.

Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:39 AM | Economic Number of readings: 147  Baghdad / NINA / Minister of Finance Taif Sami Mohammed, Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq Ali Al-Alaq, and the accompanying delegation participated in the annual spring meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, held from April 20 to 23, 2025 in Washington, to discuss global economic challenges, economic development, financial stability and other related issues, in addition to plenary sessions, seminars and side consultations.

A statement by the Ministry of Finance said: "The Minister began her participation in the first meeting with the Executive Director of the World Bank, Abdulaziz Al-Mulla, and discussed the economic situation in Iraq and the role of the World Bank in supporting Iraq in its reform programs, especially in the issues of maximizing revenues, reducing expenditures, digitization, electronic systems, infrastructure projects, energy and the environment."

She also met with Hella Sheikh Rouho, Regional Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and her accompanying delegation, and discussed with her the most important obstacles to investment in Iraq and ways to address them, as well as the most important projects supervised by this institution in Iraq in the transportation, energy and international trade financing sectors.

She explained that the institution can support projects of the Iraq Development Fund. The Deputy Chairman of the Foundation also emphasized the support of the private sector and its projects, as well as the agricultural and industrial sectors in Iraq.

The delegation, headed by her, held a high-level meeting with the World Bank Vice President for the Middle East, Othman Dawani. The meeting discussed the portfolio of projects funded by the World Bank, particularly the railway project in Iraq.

It was agreed to review this portfolio to follow up on project implementation, identify work obstacles, and find solutions for their implementation and completion within the specified timeframe. The meeting also discussed the government's priorities for future projects, which the World Bank can support, with regard to renewable energy, waste management, and transportation projects, especially the metro, airports, and railways.

The meeting also discussed the issue of human development in Iraq, which is a government priority, to be included in the World Bank's plans to allocate support and launch future projects in the education, health, employment, and social protection sectors.

The statement added: "The Minister, along with the Governor of the Central Bank, attended the ministerial meeting chaired by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Gurevichi, and attended by the Ministers of Finance and Governors of the IMF member countries.

 The discussions focused on the global economic situation, the increasing uncertainty and its economic impacts at the local and global levels, addressing challenges and measures to enhance resilience, identifying strategies to maintain the macroeconomy and manage debt sustainability, in addition to focusing on exchanging visions and experiences regarding economic reforms, enhancing the performance of government institutions, supporting and strengthening the private sector, and opening the way for them to be at the forefront of sustaining the economic resilience of the countries of the region.

The Iraqi delegation's agenda also included participation in the meeting held with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Dr. Mohamed Maait, during which the spotlight was placed on specific reforms to improve the performance of the financial sector in Iraq, and sharing updates between the two sides through activating areas of partnership with the Fund.

During the meetings, the Minister of Finance, Taif Sami, held a coordination meeting with the Head of the IMF Mission to Iraq, Jean-Quillaume.

 The meeting included discussions on the prospects for growth of the Iraqi economy through the government's reform program aimed at strengthening the oil and non-oil sectors, and how to maintain economic stability in Iraq in light of the global economic conditions."

She also met with the Director of Technical and Financial Affairs and her technical team at the IMF, responsible for providing technical support and expertise to the Ministry of Finance. The meeting discussed steps to provide technical support to the General Tax Authority and the General Customs Authority regarding the electronic automation of their systems and reviewing amendments to their laws. Sami expressed her readiness to provide technical support and training on these systems for customs and tax employees.

The meeting also discussed completing the requirements for the single treasury account and reviewing the procedures implemented by the Ministry of Finance in relation to this program.

In a related context, the delegation held a meeting with Jihad Azour, Director of the IMF's Middle East and Asia Department, where they discussed a range of economic issues and the most prominent financial policy forecasts.

For his part, the Regional Representative stressed the Fund's commitment to supporting all financial, banking, and monetary reform programs adopted by the Iraqi government. / End
https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1209156

Al-Sudani's Advisor: Iraq Has Become An Attractive Environment For Turkish Investments.

Money and Business  Economy News – Baghdad  The Prime Minister's Advisor for Investment Affairs, Mohammed al-Najjar, affirmed on Saturday that Iraq has become an attractive environment for Turkish investments, noting that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has succeeded in transforming trade relations with Türkiye into investment opportunities.

Al-Najjar said, "Iraq is the first country in which Turkey will invest. It is well known that Turkey is the one seeking investment opportunities and requesting investments. However, we have succeeded, through government measures, in attracting investment environments in Iraq." He pointed out that "the opportunities created by the Prime Minister have made Iraq an attractive country for Turkish companies, which constitutes an important platform for a large number of countries to enter and invest in the opportunities available in Iraq."

He added that "the entry of Turkish investments into Iraq represents a turning point in relations between the two countries. This is the first time that relations have shifted from the commercial aspect to the investment aspect." He pointed out that "there are multiple areas for Turkey to invest in Iraq, including infrastructure, roads, energy, and communications, all of which represent significant opportunities for Turkish companies that have begun to turn to investment, not just contracting or commercial operations."

Al-Najjar explained that "Iraq has worked to transform its relationship with Türkiye into an investment relationship, including a development path, which will constitute a fundamental pillar for Turkey as a starting point for investment."  https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=54838

Economic expert Ikram Abdel Aziz: The tourism sector is no less important than oil...and its resources are inexhaustible.
 
Friday, April 25, 2025 21:48 | Economic     Number of readings: 264  Baghdad/ NINA / Economic expert Ikram Abdel Aziz called for better investment in the tourism sector and benefiting from its large financial returns.
 
She told the Iraqi National News Agency ( NINA ):
 
"The tourism sector provides an
 
     inexhaustible income and is an
     important source no less important than oil, as
 
it adds quick revenues that are 
free from the risks of falling and rising prices. In addition,
 
it does not take a long time to bear fruit, 
as in the trend towards the industrial and agricultural sectors.
 
Its revenues come when the infrastructure is available for it, and the
 
factors supporting the visitors are available, as
 
it will achieve support for the national economy."  She explained:
 
"The public financial revenues of the tourism sector in Iraq constitute 3% of the gross domestic product, which is small and does not match the investment opportunities available for this vital and pioneering sector."  The economic expert added:
 
"The tourism sector previously wasn't at the level it had hoped for,
 
but it's now experiencing a major renaissance, particularly religious tourism, which could contribute to boosting federal budget funding with revenues beyond the unilateral developmental cycle of oil."  She pointed out that,
 
according to statistics, the most visited Iraqi governorates are Karbala and Najaf in first place, followed by Baghdad, Erbil, Basra and Dhi Qar, respectively, and the tourists who visited these cities came from about 80 countries during the past year,
 
calling for  attention to other types of tourism such as medical and cultural tourism, and the
     preparation of tourist guides with a high level of culture and knowledge. 

She continued:  "Among the things that support the development of the Iraqi tourism sector are
 
     providing safe means of transportation,
     providing electrical supplies to hotels and other places, and
     improving the quality of communications for visitors, as  these represent an effective element in attracting tourists."
 
Economic expert Dr. Ikram Abdel Aziz concluded her speech by saying:
 
“When we put in place the infrastructure to support the reception of large numbers of delegations, 
Iraq will have succeeded in attracting financial revenues by developing such an activity, 
which makes it occupy a distinguished position in terms of revenues, and this trend represents one of the goals of economic and social development.” / End T     https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1200130  

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

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Saturday Afternoon 4-26-25

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

FEDERAL RESERVE RELAXES STANCE ON BANK CRYPTO ACTIVITIES

The Federal Reserve has withdrawn four crypto-asset related advisories, including ones that required banks to inform the Fed of planned activities in advance or receive a non objection letter. The two other main federal banking regulators, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) had already cancelled the requirements to get permission.

It follows a letter from Republican members of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee earlier this month requesting the withdrawal of the letters. They characterized the supervisory non objection process as a method to “stonewall financial institutions” and prevent them from engaging with distributed ledger technology (DLT).

The FDIC’s responses to freedom of information requests, combined with the lack of services launched by banks, largely support this assertion.

Oversight will now happen through the normal Fed supervisory process. The Federal Reserve statement says, “the Board will work with the agencies (FDIC, OCC) to consider whether additional guidance to support innovation, including crypto-asset activities, is appropriate.”

“Today’s announcement from the Fed and FDIC is a welcome and important step toward achieving that goal and ensuring consumers can access these products and services through their trusted bank relationships,” said American Bankers Association President and CEO Rob Nichols. “We look forward to working with the Fed and FDIC in this fast-evolving marketplace.”

The withdrawn letters

The first withdrawn letter was issued in 2022 and required Board supervised banking organizations to notify the Federal Reserve prior to engaging in digital asset activities. The 2023 letter, SR 23-8 established a supervisory non objection process for state member banks involved with tokens using distributed ledger technology.

The withdrawal also included two joint 2023 letters issued by the Fed, FDIC and OCC that were more cautionary in nature. In fairness, their timing made sense. The crypto crash that followed the 2022 collapse of the Terra algorithmic stablecoin, resulted in the mass withdrawal of funds at Silvergate Bank, which alarmed the regulators.

Shortly after these letters, Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, which was unrelated to crypto. However, there were assertions that the collapse of Signature Bank around the same time was partly related to crypto, an issue that bank executives disputed.

In addition to the banking regulators, the CFTC and SEC have also adopted different approaches to crypto under the new Trump administration. While the SEC took an extreme stance under the Biden administration, it remains to be seen whether the pendulum swings too far the other way.

For example, the SEC washed its hands of supervising most meme coins. But some critics, including popular podcaster Joe Rogan, have expressed shock that meme coin pump and dump scams remain largely unregulated

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Ledger Insights

~~~~~~~~~

CARDANO FOUNDER CONFIRMS XRP INTEGRATION, FRUSTRATED BY CHAINLINK DELAYS

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson used the closing minutes of a wide-ranging “ask-me-anything” session on Wednesday to give the community a granular look at two long-running alliance talks that have often generated more speculation than substance:

▪️a multisided collaboration with Ripple’s XRP ecosystem
▪️an oracle integration with Chainlink.

Hoskinson, responding to a viewer who asked, “Charles, are partnerships of Ripple and Chainlink still being discussed?”, made it clear that progress has been uneven. “Ripple, yes. Chainlink we’re working hard on that,” he said.

XRP Integration Makes Progress

On Ripple, Hoskinson sounded decidedly upbeat, describing a concrete roadmap that reaches from native wallet support to token distribution and a new role for Ripple’s forthcoming RLUSD stablecoin. He confirmed that “we’re going to add XRP support for Lace, so if you’re an XRP user you can hold your XRP in the Lace wallet,” referring to IOG’s flagship light wallet launched last year.

He went further, noting that “XRP is going to be part of the Midnight airdrop,” the privacy-focused sidechain announced by Input Output Global. Even the stablecoin is on the table: “we’re in talks with RLUSD so I mean, uh, that’s as good as it gets,” he said, hinting that Cardano infrastructure might natively support Ripple’s fiat-pegged asset.

Hoskinson attributed the new momentum partly to personal rapport inside Ripple’s technical brain-trust. “David Schwarz just invited me to speak at one of their conferences and we’re on very good terms,” he disclosed.

The founder also revealed that “the Flare [Network] people want to come to Cardano and do oracles with us,” underscoring that the partnership has broadened beyond Ripple and broadens to the entire XRP Ledger ecosystem.

sed that relations remain cordial—“I have [Sergey] Nazarov’s private number… we meet and we’re like ‘Yeah, we need to work together’”—the substance of the collaboration still hangs in limbo.

Chainlink, he explained, “has us on the list for integration” and is migrating to “some new framework that’s kind of like Rosetta with Coinbase to do these integrations.” The result is a moving target: “for some reason it’s just always like three to six months off.”

Hoskinson dismissed any notion that the delay stems from politics or money. “There’s no component of it where there’s an interpersonal issue… there’s no component where there’s an economic issue,” he insisted. Instead, he pointed to Chainlink’s bifurcated codebase—“they have like a legacy way of doing it [and] they’re moving towards a new way”—which makes it “hard to predict… what the integration’s going to take.”

Even staffing up the effort has not forced the process across the finish line. “No matter how many people I throw at it… it just, for some reason, doesn’t get over the line,” he admitted, conceding that Cardano is “kind of in this no man’s land” while it waits for Chainlink’s next-generation tooling to stabilize.

Despite the frustration, Hoskinson reiterated his desire for Chainlink to become a premier oracle on Cardano, though he added that “there’s also Pyth [Network] and then there’s Flare and others” in play. He softened the critique with an anecdote about the two founders’ similarities, quipping that “Sergey and I… have the same fashion style, we have the same beard, we’re the same body mass… there’s no bad blood.”

At press time, ADA traded at $0.72.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Bitcoinist

~~~~~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Q & A Classroom Link  

Follow the Roadmap

Follow the Timeline 

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Thank you Dinar Recaps

“Tidbits From TNT” Saturday 4-26-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  Automation, economic reforms, and waste management top the agenda at Iraq's meeting with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

A high-level Iraqi delegation held talks with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C.,  on automation, economic reforms, and waste management.

A statement from the Ministry of Finance received by ( IQ ) stated that "Minister of Finance Taif Sami Mohammed, Governor of the Central Bank Ali Al-Alaq, and the accompanying delegation participated in the annual spring meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund held in the US capital, Washington, to discuss global economic challenges, economic development, financial stability, and other related issues, in addition to plenary sessions, seminars, and side consultations ." 

The statement added that "the Minister of Finance began her participation in the first meeting with the Executive Director of the World Bank, Abdulaziz Al-Mulla, where the economic situation in Iraq and the role of the World Bank in supporting Iraq in its reform programs were discussed, particularly in the areas of maximizing revenues, reducing expenditures, digitization, electronic systems, and infrastructure, energy, and environmental projects ."

He added, "The Minister also met with the Regional Vice President of the International Finance Corporation  (IFC),  Hela Sheikh Rouhou, and discussed with her the most important obstacles to investment in Iraq, ways to address them, and the most important projects that the corporation is supervising in Iraq in the transportation, energy, and international trade finance sectors . "  She explained that "the corporation can support projects of the Iraq Development Fund ."

The Foundation's Deputy Chairman emphasized "supporting the private sector and its projects, and supporting the agricultural and industrial sectors in Iraq ."

The delegation, headed by the Minister of Finance, held a high-level meeting with the World Bank's Vice President for the Middle East, Othman Dawani. The meeting discussed the portfolio of projects funded by the World Bank, particularly the railway project in Iraq. It was also agreed to review this portfolio to monitor the implementation of these projects, identify any obstacles to their implementation, and find solutions to implement and complete these projects within the specified timeframe .

The meeting, according to the statement, discussed "the government's priorities for future projects, for which the World Bank can provide support, including renewable energy, waste management, and transportation projects, particularly the metro, airports, and railways. The minister also discussed with Al-Dawani the issue of human development in Iraq, which is a government priority to be included in the World Bank's plans to allocate support and launch future projects in the education, health, employment, and social protection sectors ."

According to the statement, the Minister and the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq attended "the ministerial meeting chaired by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Gurevichi, and attended by the Ministers of Finance and Governors of the IMF countries. The discussions focused on the global economic situation, the increasing uncertainty and its economic impacts at the local and global levels, addressing the challenges and measures to be taken to enhance resilience, identifying strategies to maintain the macroeconomy, and managing debt sustainability.

The meeting also focused on exchanging visions and experiences regarding economic reforms, enhancing the performance of government institutions, supporting and strengthening the private sector, and opening them up to be at the forefront of sustaining the economic resilience of the countries of the region ."

For her part, Kristalina explained the Fund's humanitarian support for conflict-affected countries, and that the Fund is committed to supporting the people of Gaza, Yemen, Syria, and Sudan. She emphasized the need for countries to implement medium-term reforms, build economic buffers, and diversify their economies to strengthen their foundations for financial sustainability and macro-stability . 

The Iraqi delegation's agenda included "participation in a meeting with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Mohamed Maait, during which the spotlight was placed on specific reforms aimed at improving the performance of Iraq's financial sector, and the exchange of updates between the two sides on activating areas of partnership with the Fund ."

During the ongoing meetings, Finance Minister Taif Sami held a coordination meeting with the head of the International Monetary Fund's mission to Iraq, Jean-Claude. The meeting addressed discussions on the prospects for Iraqi economic growth through the government's reform program aimed at strengthening the oil and non-oil sectors, and how to maintain economic stability in Iraq in light of the global economic conditions . 

The Minister, along with the Director of Technical and Financial Affairs and her technical team at the International Monetary Fund, responsible for providing technical support and expertise to the Ministry of Finance, discussed "the steps taken to provide technical support to the General Tax Authority and the General Customs Authority regarding the automation of their electronic systems and reviewing amendments to their laws. The latter expressed its readiness to provide technical support and training on these systems for customs and tax employees ."

The meeting also discussed "completing the requirements for the unified treasury account, reviewing the procedures implemented by the Ministry of Finance regarding this program, and proposing the provision of technical support for retirement and social security. A report on reform proposals for this sector will be submitted to the Iraqi government ." 

The delegation discussed a range of economic issues and key financial policy forecasts during a meeting with Jihad Azour, Director of the IMF's Middle East and Asia Department .

For his part, the regional representative stressed "the Fund's commitment to supporting all financial, banking, and monetary reform programs adopted by the Iraqi government ."

It is worth noting that these annual meetings bring together central bank governors, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, representatives of civil society organizations, and academics to discuss issues of global importance, including the global economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness . 

The event features workshops, regional briefings, press conferences, and other events focusing on the global economy, international development, and the global financial system . link

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

Tishwash:    Fuad Hussein holds meetings with US officials in Washington.

US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce announced that Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein will hold meetings with US officials in Washington, D.C., on Friday.

 Bruce added, during a press conference, that Fuad Hussein will be at the Foreign Ministry on Friday to "hold several meetings," noting that she will participate in one of them.

 She noted that she had "no details to provide" about those meetings, but explained that the ministry would issue "media summaries, and there will be some information about those meetings."

The Iraqi Foreign Minister announced, in a post on the X platform, his departure for the United States to hold "a series of bilateral meetings to strengthen Iraqi-American relations and coordinate efforts on regional and international issues."

The meetings will also discuss "ways to enhance common security and cooperation in various fields."

 A US congressional delegation visited Baghdad in mid-April, and during their meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, they emphasized "the importance of the relationship with Iraq as a key partner in the Middle East."

In its meeting with Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, the delegation reiterated its country's "commitment" to continuing to support Iraq and strengthening the strategic partnership between the two sides.

It also emphasized the US Congress's "keenness" to maintain effective communication with Iraqi leaders to work together for a better future for both countries. link

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

Tishwash:  The Prime Minister's Financial Advisor talks about gold demand and prices.

The Prime Minister's financial advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, explained the reasons for the increased demand for gold in Iraq, as well as its impact on global prices.

Saleh stated that "local gold is one of the wealth havens most affected by external or international factors and shocks, as it is a commodity imported from gold vaults abroad. The global price of gold exceeded the $3,200 per ounce barrier in April 2025, affected by geopolitical tensions, especially between the United States and China, or the so-called trade war issue represented by the escalation of the mutual tariff war between various countries of the world and its direct and indirect effects on inflation trends and expectations in the global economy."

 He pointed out that "this coincided with indicators of the oil asset cycle, the downward trend in global oil prices, as well as the increasing demand for the yellow metal by central banks and investors seeking a safe haven for wealth around the world, as gold is undoubtedly the best store of value." He explained that "the price of gold, which has witnessed a significant and continuous rise, despite its fluctuations towards the decline, has maintained its high price. For example, the price of one ounce on April 17, 2025, reached approximately $3,321.89, after previously reaching a new record high of $3,357.40 per ounce."

Saleh said, "The opening of the local gold market to the global market and the impact of global gold prices on our country's supply has become an immediate reflexive issue. Until the local gold market stabilizes again, it may take a long time to adapt again." He pointed out that "the short-term jumps in gold prices cast a shadow over the tendencies of individuals in our country and the behavior of some to hedge their investments in the yellow metal."

He pointed out that "the demand for gold in Iraq is a traditional means of preserving value, which leads to its purchase as a normal hedge, especially for those with cash surpluses, with the aim of profiting from the external price factors affecting the fluctuations in the international economy, and the impact of this on the level of global prices, and the repercussions of this on thinking about re-diversifying the wealth portfolios of some of them, or according to their beliefs and traditions in investing, preserving the value of their personal financial wealth, or speculating."

He explained that "if the goal of importing is a safe investment, it is preferable to monitor global and local markets to make informed decisions, and to properly diversify their investment portfolios and not rely entirely on a single investment vehicle to preserve value, as gold is also subject to decline.

 It is also preferable to consider other national investment options to diversify their investment portfolios, especially investing in interest-bearing sovereign government bonds currently offered to investors through the Iraqi banking system." link

Mot: Has She EVER Given YOU -- ""The Look""

Mot: How Close Are YOU  

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Saturday Morning 4-26-25

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

RIPPLE PRESIDENT MONICA LONG STUNS XRP ARMY WITH PRODUCT ADVANCEMENT UPDATES

President Monica Long confirmed Ripple Labs’ $1.25 billion Hidden Road purchase, emphasizing XRP and RLUSD enterprise integration.

Ripple’s acquisition of prime brokerage firm Hidden Road for $1.25 billion is back in the spotlight.

XRP eyes bullish breakout with price holding above key levels.

Derivatives marketplace CME Group is to launch XRP futures on May 19, boosting institutional interest.

Monica Long, the President of American blockchain payments firm Ripple Labs Inc, has spurred fresh excitement within the XRP community. She recently stunned the community with updates on the company’s ongoing expansion and its latest acquisition. These developments come as the Ripple Labs-linked cryptocurrency XRP shows steady price gains amidst increasing institutional adoption.

Ripple Strengthens Infrastructure with Hidden Road Deal

In a recent CNBC interview, Monica Long confirmed Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road, a global prime brokerage firm that processes over $3 trillion in transactions annually.

In the interview, Long disclosed that the deal, which cost Ripple $1.25 billion, is considered a strategic move. This acquisition is aimed at strengthening the company’s financial infrastructure services, which include global payments, token custody, and asset tokenization, all of which are tailored for enterprise use.

According to the update, Long shared that Ripple Labs has expanded its payments network. She highlighted the company’s strong liquidity management, regulatory compliance with over 60 licenses, and complete control over payment flows.

Long also mentioned that purchasing Hidden Road supports Ripple’s core mission and enhances the integration of XRP, RLUSD (Ripple’s stablecoin), and other digital assets into enterprise-level solutions.

It is essential to add that this development follows Ripple Labs’ decision to delay going public. Long explained that the company remains financially strong, holding billions in cash reserves, and does not need an IPO for capital or visibility.

Commenting on the development, CEO Brad Garlinghouse echoed these remarks, confirming that Ripple will focus on building through acquisitions rather than listing on the stock market.

XRP Holds Key Levels

CoinMarketCap data shows that the fourth-largest cryptocurrency XRP is currently trading at $2.19, up 1.80% in the last 24 hours.

It is worth noting that the price has shown signs of consolidation. Market data shows that it is holding support above $2.11 and pushing through key levels following a mid-week high of $2.30.

Analysts are watching a possible 25% breakout toward $2.74, backed by a bullish inverse head-and-shoulders pattern. According to experts, a move above $2.22, which stands as the short-term resistance, is expected to open the path toward $2.50 and beyond.

It is worth mentioning that Derivatives exchange CME Group’s announcement of XRP futures set to launch on May 19 has only added to the market optimism. As detailed in its announcement, the futures will offer micro and larger contracts targeting institutional and retail investors.

Coinspeaker noted earlier that Coinbase submitted a filing with the CFTC to introduce XRP futures trading. This shows the rising appeal of XRP among Institutional and professional traders.

Reports also show that XRP technical indicators are pointing toward mixed signals. For context, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is hovering around 55 but trending down toward the midline, indicating a potential shift in sentiment. Meanwhile, long liquidations are outpacing short ones, hinting at growing sell-side pressure. Despite this, XRP remains above the 100-day EMA, keeping the current bullish setup intact.

With continued attention on support at $2.15 and resistance at $2.22, market participants are closely watching Ripple’s next steps.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  CoinSpeaker

~~~~~~~~~

BRICS: GOLDMAN SACHS ANALYST PREDICTS THE US DOLLAR’S FUTURE

Goldman Sachs analyst has provided a gloomy prediction for the US dollar as BRICS aims to topple the US dollar from the world’s reserve currency. The US dollar is the worst-performing currency in the forex markets as the DXY index dipped below the 100 mark.

 It hit a low of 98.06 after falling from a high of 109.40 early this year. The greenback has dipped nearly 9% year-to-date and eight out of nine leading currencies outperformed it in 2025.

BRICS: Goldman Sachs on The US Dollar’s Future: ‘Weakness Is Here To Stay,’ Says Analyst

Kamakshya Trivedi, Head of Global FX at Goldman Sachs said that the US dollar’s weakness is here to stay. Trivedi explained that the geopolitical winds have changed as emerging economies are now looking at their own benefits similar to how the US does on foreign policies. 

The Goldman Sachs analyst remains bearish on the US dollar as BRICS and other countries are diversifying their reserves.

“The US dollar weakness is here to stay. It’s going to persist, and it’s going to deepen,” said the analyst. He added, “I think the dollar weakness has further to run.” However, the Goldman Sachs analyst explained that the local currencies of BRICS countries do not pose a threat to the US dollar.

He stressed that the euro and Japanese yen could rise as the greenback declines in the charts. “It’s going to be the euro o+r the yen in the lead. That’s your typical ultra-safe haven. And I think that we could be getting back to the low 130s in quick time if the labor market data in the US start to crack.” While BRICS currencies might not pull the US dollar down, the euro and yen could, said the Goldman Sachs analyst.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Watcher Guru

~~~~~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Q & A Classroom Link  

Follow the Roadmap

Follow the Timeline 

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Thank you Dinar Recaps

MilitiaMan & Crew: Iraq Dinar News-IQD update-Iraqi-American relations-Non Oil Revenues-Oil Exports-Global Investment

MilitiaMan & Crew: Iraq Dinar News-IQD update-Iraqi-American relations-Non Oil Revenues-Oil Exports-Global Investment

4-25-2025

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=5Nwc6EF4fAw

Iraq Economic News and Points to Ponder Friday Morning 4-25-25

The Central Bank Of Iraq Clarifies: There Is No Truth To The Claim That The Dollar Quota For Travelers Has Been Raised To 5,000.

Banks  Economy News – Baghdad  The Central Bank of Iraq denied on Friday that it had raised the dollar quota for travelers.

The Central Bank told the official news agency, as reported by Al-Eqtisad News, that "the circulating letter attributed to the Central Bank is fake and there is no truth to the claim that the traveler's dollar quota has been raised to 5,000."  He added, "The traveler's share is only $3,000, and he receives it at the airport on the day of travel."   https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=54820

Prime Minister's Advisor: Government Bonds Are A Better Investment Option Than Gold

Buratha News Agency1862025-04-25  The Prime Minister's advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Saleh, confirmed on Friday that sovereign government bonds are available for investment through banking institutions, calling for diversifying investment portfolios by investing in government bonds instead of gold, as "local gold is one of the wealth havens most affected by external or international factors and their shocks, as it is a commodity imported from gold vaults outside the country,

as the global price of gold exceeded the $3,200 per ounce barrier in April 2025, affected by geopolitical tensions, especially between the United States and China, or the so-called trade war issue represented by the escalation of the mutual tariff war between various countries of the world and its direct and indirect effects on inflation trends and expectations in the global economy."

He added, "This coincided with indicators of the oil asset cycle, the downward trend in global oil prices, and the increasing demand for the yellow metal by central banks and investors seeking a safe haven for wealth around the world, as gold is undoubtedly the best store of value.

" He noted that "the price of gold, which has witnessed a significant and continuous rise, despite its fluctuations towards the decline, has maintained its high price. For example, the price of one ounce on April 17, 2025, reached approximately $3,321.89, after previously reaching a new record high of $3,357.40 per ounce."

Saleh explained that "the opening of the local gold market to the global market and the impact of the global price of gold on our country's supply has become an immediate reflexive issue. Until the local gold market stabilizes again,

 it may take a real period of time to adapt again." He pointed out that "the short-term jumps in gold prices cast a shadow over the tendencies of individuals in our country and the behavior of some to hedge by investing in the yellow metal."

He continued: "Demand for gold in Iraq is a traditional means of preserving value, which leads to its purchase as a normal hedge, especially for those with cash surpluses, with the aim of profiting from the external price factors affecting the fluctuations in the international economy, and the impact of this on the level of global prices, and the repercussions of this on thinking about re-diversifying the wealth portfolios of some of them, or according to their beliefs and traditions in investing, preserving the value of their personal financial wealth, or speculating."

Saleh pointed out that "if the goal of importing is a safe investment, it is preferable to monitor global and local markets to make informed decisions, and to proceed with the proper diversification of their investment portfolios and not rely entirely on a single investment vehicle to preserve value, since gold is also subject to decline.

It is also preferable to consider other national investment options to diversify their investment portfolios, especially investing in interest-bearing sovereign government bonds currently offered to investors through the Iraqi banking system." https://burathanews.com/arabic/economic/459247

An Economist Warns Of The Repercussions Of Not Approving The Budget And Its Impact On The Markets.

Time: 2025/04/25 14:05:46 Read: 1,065 times  {Economic: Al Furat News} Economic expert Bassem Jamil Antoine warned of the serious repercussions of the country's failure to pass its general budget yet, stressing that this has led to a clear contraction in Iraqi markets.

In a statement to Al Furat News Agency, Antoine described the current situation as a "major catastrophe," noting that the country's financial crisis is huge, with the budget deficit reaching nearly 64 trillion dinars due to what he described as a "speculative deficit."

The economic expert explained that the recent increase in customs duties has significantly impacted citizens' spending behavior, pointing out that these factors have pushed many to adopt a policy of saving and thrift, which has increased the state of deflation in the markets.

Antoine stressed the need to expedite the approval of the budget and address the causes that led to this deficit, warning against the continuation of the current situation and its negative impact on the national economy and the lives of citizens.  LINK

Foreign Minister Arrives In Washington

Friday, April 25, 2025 05:12 | Politics Number of reads: 461  Baghdad / NINA / Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein arrived in the US capital, Washington, on an official visit.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that "the Minister of Foreign Affairs arrived in the US capital, Washington, on an official visit during which he will hold a series of bilateral meetings with a number of senior officials in the US administration." The statement

added that "this visit comes within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America, and discussing ways to develop joint cooperation in the political, security and economic fields, as well as discussing regional and international issues of common interest."

The statement continued, "During his visit, the Minister is scheduled to meet a number of officials in the US State Department, most notably Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, in addition to holding meetings with prominent political and economic figures." /End https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?Key=1200022

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

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Friday Morning 4-25-25

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

XRP NEWS TODAY: RIPPLE REJECTS 2025 IPO DESPITE SEC WIN – HERE’S WHY

▪️Ripple confirms no IPO plans for 2025 despite previous speculation and legal clarity.

▪️Strong financial standing and strategic acquisitions negate Ripple's need for public offering.

▪️Ripple focuses on growth through acquisitions like Hidden Road to expand its financial reach.

XRP News April 25th: Despite years of speculation and growing chatter in the crypto world, Ripple has officially confirmed it will not go public in 2025. The company behind XRP has decided to take a different route—even after settling its long legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Why Is Ripple’s IPO Delayed?

In a recent interview with CNBC, Ripple’s President Monica Long made it clear: an IPO just isn’t part of the plan. She explained that Ripple is already in a strong financial position, holding billions of dollars in cash.

She added that most companies go public to raise capital or gain more visibility. Ripple doesn’t need either right now.

CEO Brad Garlinghouse echoed her view. He confirmed that Ripple is not seeking outside funding and has no plans to become a publicly traded company anytime soon.

The IPO Talk Has Been Around for Years

The idea of Ripple going public has been a hot topic in the crypto space. Back in 2022, Garlinghouse said an IPO would be considered after the company resolved its legal issues with the SEC.

That moment finally came in late 2023, bringing some much-needed clarity. But even after that, Garlinghouse made it clear: going public is not a top priority for Ripple.

Ripple’s Valuation Has Shifted, But Its Strategy Is Strong

Earlier this year, Ripple repurchased shares at a valuation of $11.3 billion. That’s a drop from its $15 billion high in 2022.

The share buyback raised $285 million, pushing Ripple’s total funding to $318.5 million. The company’s investors include major names like Andreessen Horowitz, Google Ventures, and Founders Fund—proof that confidence in Ripple is still strong.

Acquisitions Over IPOs: Ripple’s New Playbook

Rather than focusing on an IPO, Ripple is expanding through strategic acquisitions. Its biggest move so far is the $1.25 billion purchase of Hidden Road, a prime brokerage firm that handles around $3 trillion in annual transactions.

This deal is expected to strengthen Ripple’s new stablecoin, RLUSD, and help the company grow its role in global finance. It’s a major step toward building Ripple’s influence in the digital payments and blockchain infrastructure space.

Some XRP holders may have been hoping for an IPO boost, but Ripple’s approach shows confidence in its long-term direction. The focus is now on building technology, expanding reach, and leading innovation in cross-border payments and stablecoins.

For those tracking XRP price trends, crypto market news, or stablecoin developments, Ripple’s evolving strategy is worth keeping a close eye on.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Coinpedia

~~~~~~~~~

FEDERAL RESERVE WITHDRAWS CRYPTO RULES FOR BANKS, ENDING 'CHOKE POINT' PRACTICES

The U.S. central bank will now treat crypto like any other banking service, instead of approaching the industry with particular caution.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation unexpectedly released a trove of documents on Wednesday detailing how the agency regulated banks’ approach to crypto.

Travis Hill, the FDICS’s acting chairman, said the agency is taking steps to enhance transparency as lawmakers move to investigate a plot dubbed “Operation Chokepoint 2.0.”

“The documents that we are releasing today show that requests from these banks were almost universally met with resistance,” he said in a press release. “These and other actions sent the message to banks that it would be extraordinarily difficult—if not impossible—to move forward.”

In December the FDIC published 24 letters detailing the agency’s push to delay or prevent American banks from engaging in crypto-related activities. But this 790-page batch of documents appears to contain correspondence covering banks’ ability to serve crypto firms as well.

In one letter, an FDIC appointee acknowledged that a bank’s board of directors had chosen to close all of an entity’s deposit accounts. While the entity wasn’t explicitly referred to as a crypto firm, the letter also sought additional information on the bank’s internal authorization “to engage with up to a maximum of three additional crypto companies.”

The letter also said that “banking organizations are neither prohibited nor discouraged from providing banking services to customers of any class or type,” but industry advocates have claimed the correspondence was further proof of the FDIC’s debanking plot.

The documents were unveiled shortly before Senate lawmakers began a scheduled hearing on “debanking.” So far, it’s been giving the public a first look at whether the FDIC unlawfully clamped down on the crypto industry.

Bitcoin and ‘reputation risk’

One snippet, highlighted by Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal, showed how a bank was deterred from offering an account to a stablecoin issuer looking to park reserves at the institution.

The bank was told that it “should not proceed with any crypto-asset activity” until the FDIC and another entity—the name is redacted in the document—found the practice was safe and sound.

In one case, Grewal said the FDIC did not raise concerns about “risks to the financial system.” But he did think it deterred a bank from offering a way for customers to purchase Bitcoin. In an excerpt, the FDIC stated that "reputation risk" or the prospect of Bitcoin’s price falling was at issue.

Though the conversation among lawmakers has focused intensely on the FDIC, which insures banking deposits and supervises financial institutions, the Federal Reserve recently weighed in.

A week ago, Fed Chair Powell stated that “banks are perfectly able to serve crypto customers, as long as they understand and can manage the risks.”

Some letters included in Wednesday’s document dump accused banks of false advertising, claiming that they did not include clear and prominent disclaimers that digital assets are not covered by FDIC insurance in advertisements.

On Wednesday, Hill signaled that more documents may be in the pipeline, as the agency moves to reverse practices under the previous administration.

“While this review remains underway, we are releasing a large batch of documents today,” he said. “Looking forward, we are actively reevaluating our supervisory approach to crypto-related activities.”

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Decrypt

~~~~~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Q & A Classroom Link  

Follow the Roadmap

Follow the Timeline 

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Thank you Dinar Recaps

“Tidbits from TNT” Friday Morning 4-25-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  Foreign Minister arrives in Washington

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein arrived in Washington, DC, on an official visit.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) stated that “Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Fuad Hussein, arrived in the US capital, Washington, on an official visit during which he will hold a series of bilateral meetings with a number of senior officials in the US administration.”

The statement added that “this visit comes within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America, and discussing ways to develop joint cooperation in the political, security and economic fields, as well as discussing regional and international issues of common interest.”

The statement continued, “During his visit, the Minister is scheduled to meet with a number of officials in the US State Department, most notably Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, in addition to holding meetings with prominent political and economic figures.”  link

Tishwash:   Al-Sudani: Our goal is to meet the needs of the Iraqi market and stop importing from abroad.

 Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stated on Thursday that his government's goals include strengthening public-private sector partnerships, meeting the Iraqi market's need for local production, and halting imports.

This came in a speech he delivered during the inauguration of the executive works, via video conference, for six industrial projects in Muthanna Governorate, at a total financial cost of $1.171 billion.

In his televised address, he said that the private sector is the state's true partner in fulfilling various developmental and service obligations and needs for citizens, adding, "We have great confidence in businesspeople in this field and in the facilities provided by the government."

He added, "Our goal is to meet the needs of the local market and stop importing from abroad," stressing the need to meet the needs of the local market, whether for government projects, ministries, governorates, or others.

Al-Sudani continued, "Iraq is currently witnessing a clear push to implement service and construction projects, which requires more diverse materials to meet the needs of this market, regardless of imports." link

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

Tishwash:  What are the reasons for the decline in the dollar exchange rate against the Iraqi dinar?

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, Professor of International Economics Nawar Al-Saadi revealed the reasons for the decline in the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Iraqi dinar in local markets.

 Local stock exchanges in the capital, Baghdad, witnessed a rise in the value of the dinar at closing this afternoon, with the selling price reaching 145,500 dinars per $100, and the buying price reaching 143,500 dinars per $100.

 The dollar exchange rate in Iraqi markets rose significantly in the fall of 2024, exceeding 1,550 dinars per dollar, or 155,000 dinars per $100, in some areas.

Trump's policies

Al-Saadi told Al-Jabal, "The current decline in the US dollar's exchange rate cannot be isolated from the global economic and political context, which is undergoing profound transformations. The United States has been facing negative economic indicators for some time, including slowing growth and declining retail sales data, which has reinforced market expectations that the Federal Reserve may move to cut interest rates in the coming period. This trend, by its nature, weakens the dollar's attractiveness as a savings and investment currency and increases pressure on it in foreign exchange markets."

He added, "Furthermore, the economic policies recently adopted by the US administration, most notably the imposition of tariffs on a number of goods, have contributed to raising import costs and increasing inflation rates, which has negatively impacted investor confidence in the performance of the US economy in the medium term."

He continued: "In addition to internal factors, there are also global shifts that are gradually beginning to impact the dollar's standing," noting that "the accelerating trend by some international powers, such as the BRICS countries, toward reducing reliance on the dollar in trade and financial transactions reflects the beginning of the erosion of the monopoly position the dollar has enjoyed for decades. These multipolar policies are beginning to have a clear impact on the balance of monetary power worldwide."

internal factors

Regarding the situation in Iraq, according to the expert, "The recent decline in the dollar exchange rate is due to a decline in local demand during Ramadan, when commercial activity and travel decrease, leading to a temporary decline in demand for hard currency. However, this decline is not sustainable, and the dollar is likely to rise again when demand returns to normal levels, especially with the approach of the summer import seasons, or if obstacles arise in the flow of foreign currency into the Iraqi market."

The professor of international economics concluded his remarks by saying, "The decline in the dollar exchange rate we are seeing reflects a state of economic anxiety and uncertainty rather than a long-term strategic shift."

Al-Saadi stated that "the dollar will not easily lose its global standing, but it is no longer the unrivaled currency, and the world is gradually moving toward new monetary balances that will have profound repercussions for developing economies, including Iraq."  link

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

Tishwash:  Soon... Indications of an Oil Discovery in Iraq

Positive indicators are increasing that strengthen the chances of announcing a new oil discovery in southern Iraq, amid active government moves to activate the latest licensing rounds and expand the scope of investment in exploration blocks, which will contribute to raising the country's production capacity in the short and medium term.

According to a statement reviewed by the Washington-based Energy Platform, the Joint Management Committee for the seventh exploration block held its first meeting on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, headed by the Director of the Wasit Oil Authority, Engineer Ahmed Mahdi Sabri, and attended by officials from the Chinese company CNOOC, to which the block was awarded as part of the fifth and sixth supplementary licensing rounds.

This meeting is seen as a first step towards a project that could lead to a confirmed oil discovery in one of the richest potential hydrocarbon reserves.

During the meeting, it was agreed to approve the work program and operating budget for 2025, in addition to affirming the joint commitment to implementing global best practices in exploration and development.

Oil discovery site

According to technical assessments conducted by the operating company, Block 7 shows strong initial indications of promising oil reserves.

The geographic scope of the block includes the governorates of Diwaniyah, Hillah, Muthanna, Wasit, and Najaf, giving the project a strategic dimension, particularly as CNOOC intends to adopt advanced technologies that will contribute to enhancing the chances of a highly economically viable oil discovery.

It's worth noting that this move comes as part of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil's efforts to revitalize recently signed licensing contracts, in line with the goals of the government's program and the state's vision to promote comprehensive development.

Oil exploration in Iraq

Iraq's oil exploration portfolio is witnessing a significant shift. On October 27, 2024, the Ministry of Oil signed the final contracts for the latest licensing rounds, in the presence of Oil Minister Hayan Abdul-Ghani. Abdul-Ghani announced that these agreements will contribute to the addition of 750,000 barrels per day of crude oil, in addition to the production of 850 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.

The minister affirmed that the ministry has ambitious plans to develop new exploration blocks, which constitute a pivotal part of Iraq's oil exploration strategy for the next phase.

The contracts cover vast areas, including the Al-Faw, Jabal Sanam, Sumer, Adan, and Abu Khaima fields, in addition to the Al-Khulaisiyah and Middle Euphrates fields, enhancing the geographical diversity of investment opportunities.

Through these tours, the ministry seeks to attract quality investments that will secure the fuel needed for power plants and manufacturing industries, and open up broad prospects for employing Iraqi personnel, making oil exploration in Iraq an extremely important development tool.

Production challenges and international commitments

In contrast, the Iraqi government is still required to reconcile its investment expansion with its international obligations under the OPEC+ alliance.

In April, Baghdad announced its commitment to reduce oil production by 120,000 barrels per day, with the reduction set to increase to 140,000 barrels in May and June to compensate for production overruns over the past year.

During the Sulaymaniyah Forum on April 16, 2025, the Oil Minister stated that Iraq is seeking to persuade OPEC to increase its production quota, at a time when the market is witnessing increasing pressure to control supplies.

Abdul Ghani indicated that his country intends to extend exclusive invitations to American companies, such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron, to strengthen their presence in oil exploration projects in Iraq. link

Mot:  .. Remember!!!! ---- ONE!!!

Mot: . OK -- Thats It!!! -- I ~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Thursday Evening 4-24-25

Good Evening Dinar Recaps,

US SEC DELAYS DECISIONS ON POLKADOT AND HEDERA ETFS AS AGENCY WEIGHS DOZENS OF CRYPTO PROPOSALS

The SEC is extending its deadline to June 11, according to filings published on Thursday.

It will also delay a decision on the Bitwise Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF until June 10.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is pushing back its deadline for a few proposals to list and trade crypto funds based on Polkadot and Hedera's tokens. The agency is weighing dozens of filings to launch crypto exchange-traded funds.

The SEC is delaying its decision until June 11 to approve or disapprove a proposal from Grayscale to convert its Polkadot Trust as well as one from Canary to list an HBAR ETF, according to filings posted on Thursday. It originally had until the end of this week to make a judgement. The agency is also delaying a decision on the Bitwise Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF until June 10.

"The Commission finds it appropriate to designate a longer period within which to take action on the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, so that it has sufficient time to consider the proposed rule change and the issues raised therein," the agency said in the HBAR filing.

Filings for the Grayscale Polkadot Trust and the Canary HBAR ETF were made in February as firms look to launch a variety of crypto ETFs in what is expected, and is so far, a crypto-friendlier SEC.

Since President Donald Trump took office in January, the SEC has shown an openness to the crypto industry through public crypto roundtables while also dropping several lawsuits against crypto firms. The next roundtable is on Friday and is focused on crypto custody.

Under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, the agency approved the listing of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024 and spot Ethereum ETFs later in July, following a decisive court ruling brought on by Grayscale.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  The Block

~~~~~~~~~

BRICS: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN FINAL TALKS TO REMOVE CHINA SANCTIONS

The European Parliament is in the “final stages” of discussions with Beijing about removing sanctions on China, according to a Parliament spokesperson. “Discussions with the Chinese authorities are continuing and in their final stages,” the spokesperson said Thursday. The Chinese government put retaliatory sanctions on some MEPs in 2021, after the EU sanctioned some Chinese officials and entities over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola “will first inform group leaders once there is official confirmation from the Chinese authorities that sanctions have been lifted. It has always been the EP’s intention to have sanctions lifted and resume relations with China”, the spokesperson added.

Further sanctions, amounting to a visa ban and asset freezes in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, were applied to a group of EU ambassadors who sat on the powerful European Council’s Political Security Committee, as well as the Mercator Institute for China Studies think tank and several other researchers. It is unclear if those sanctions are also set to be lifted, as representatives have yet to comment on further sanctions being cleared.

More Good News For China

The news is another positive for China, which earlier today also found out that their tariffs from the US may be lowered to 50%. 

The Trump administration currently examines different methods for reducing the American trade barrier on Chinese imports, which he imposed in his second term, through possible reductions of 50% to 65%. Ears of political representatives are exploring a plan that duplicates previous House Committee on China recommendations.

China, meanwhile, has embarked on a charm offensive of its own, trying to rally European governments to fight Trump’s duties together. On Tuesday, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone with the foreign ministers of Austria and Britain, in an effort to convince them to oppose US moves.

“The US uses tariffs as a weapon to launch indiscriminate attacks on various countries … as a responsible country, China has stood up to stop it, not only to safeguard its own legit rights and interests, but also to safeguard international rules and the multilateral trading system,” Wang said.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Watcher Guru

~~~~~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Q & A Classroom Link  

Follow the Roadmap

Follow the Timeline 

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Thank you Dinar Recaps

Iraq Economic News and Points to Ponder Thursday Afternoon 4-24-25

The Iraqi Dinar Regains Its Strength Against The Dollar

Thursday, April 24, 2025, 8:20 PM | Economic Number of readings: 64

Baghdad / NINA / The exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar decreased, Thursday evening, in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region.

The exchange rate in the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya stock exchanges in Baghdad reached 144,600 dinars for every 100 dollars.  This morning, the dollar recorded 145,200 dinars.

In the local markets in Baghdad, the selling price reached 145,500 dinars for every 100 dollars, and the purchase price was 143,500 dinars.

In Erbil, the dollar price also decreased, with the selling price reaching 145,200 dinars for every 100 dollars, and the purchase price reaching 145,100 dinars for every 100 dollars. /End https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1199962

The Ministry Of Finance Announces The Launch Of The Third Issue Of National Bonds For Public Subscription, With A Value Exceeding 2 Trillion Dinars.

Ministry of Finance. "Internet"  Money and Business  Economy News – Baghdad  The Ministry of Finance announced on Thursday the launch of the third issue of national bonds for public subscription, valued at more than 2 trillion dinars.

The Ministry's media office stated in a statement, seen by Al-Eqtisad News, that "the Ministry of Finance, represented by the Public Debt Department and in cooperation with the Central Bank of Iraq, announces the offering of the third issue of national bonds for public subscription with a total value of (2,262,942,000,000) trillion Iraqi dinars."

She explained that the categories of bonds offered are:

* 500,000 Iraqi dinar bond
8% annual return paid every six months for two years.

* 1,000,000 Iraqi dinar bond
10% annual return paid every six months for four years.

The subscription period starts on April 20, 2025 and ends on May 20, 2025.

She pointed out that "the subscription method:

Submit purchase requests at branches of banks authorized by the Central Bank of Iraq.

Attach the required identification documents.

Transfer the amount via RTGS on the subscription day.

A temporary receipt will be issued until the bond is prepared and delivered later," she said, calling on citizens, investors, and companies to "participate in this issue to benefit from fixed returns and a government guarantee."  https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=54805

Iraq Stock Exchange: Trading Volume Exceeded 11 Billion Dinars During Five Trading Sessions In The Third Week Of This Month

Thursday, April 24, 2025, 15:57 | Economic Number of readings: 128  Baghdad / NINA / The Iraq Stock Exchange announced today that it traded shares worth more than 11 billion dinars during five trading sessions in the third week of April.

According to financial market indicators, the number of traded shares during this week amounted to more than 6 billion shares with a trading value of more than 11 billion dinars.

The ISX60 market trading index closed for the first session of the week at (1060.86) points, while the index closed at the end of the week at (1046.17) points, achieving a decrease of (1.40%) compared to its closing at the beginning of the session.

The ISX15 market trading index closed for the first session of the week at (1116.50) points, while the index closed at the end of the week at (1101.48) points, achieving a decrease of (1.36%) compared to its closing at the beginning of the session.

During the week, the market executed (4387) buy and sell contracts on the shares of companies listed on the market. /End   https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1199888

Government Activity And The Establishment Of Development Through The Pioneering Sector

Economy News – Baghdad  Dr. Haitham Hamid Mutlaq Al-Mansour  The recent economic climate has witnessed a clear evolution in the crystallization of the state's developmental role, in the movement of correction towards construction and reconstruction, especially in important structural aspects in the services sector and the employment sector, and focused steps to adjust the development path with the aim of revitalizing what was frozen in the previous government and completing stalled projects.

Perhaps the important question at this stage is about which development directions the current government should take in order to advance the correction and development process to its sustainable goal? And in which sector should it begin?

There are many development approaches addressed by theories of economic development that are feasible, but they may clash with the Iraqi economic reality, which suffers from a structural imbalance in production and demand. Therefore, the macroeconomic policy maker must start with what is possible and work to correct the sources of that possibility. In other words, development in the Iraqi economic reality must proceed from the following two axes:

First: Dealing scientifically with the economic reality and its distortions by entering into a thorny network of economic relationships that can lead to correcting the structural imbalance. These relationships are described as long-term and require a long period of time that includes the recovery of all agricultural, industrial, commercial, monetary, financial, and other sectors.

They assume a high degree of sector integration and high flexibility of the marginal substitution rate between the factors of production in its various sectors, in light of a complete reduction of the total cost functions. This requires significant financial, material, and human capabilities to diversify the structure of the economy and correct what has been distorted by decades of incorrect development policies and neglect, as this goal requires a long time to achieve or begin its path.

Second: Dealing realistically with the problematic data of the economic structure through planning for comprehensive development in the leading sector, namely the oil sector, starting from it to correct the distortion in the oil industry, through vertical concentration in the activities of the oil industry, including extractive, refining, and petrochemicals. This sector is the leading sector in enabling the development process through its forward and backward connections with other sectors and activities of the national economy.

The second approach is distinguished by its utmost importance in taking a strategic step to deepen the impact of the leading sector, as it enjoys material and financial returns that fall within the short-term limits, which often express the effectiveness of the overall policy in the macroeconomics.

The proposed approach of effective management of oil rents aims to achieve the correct combination of industrial interconnections between the rentier sector and other sectors to eliminate the displacement effect of rentier activity on other economic sectors, and to enhance the economic role of these sectors by linking them to the aforementioned sector, given its impact in directing government spending towards investment in infrastructure, social, health, and education systems necessary for the development process.

The experiences of rentier states similar to the Iraqi economy indicate that they have adopted a development approach in which annual budget items must be organically linked to the financial allocations of the general budget over the short, medium, and long terms. This is in addition to establishing a sovereign fund to invest oil surpluses sustainably in productive projects that generate material and social returns.

Now that the state has regained its ability to manage its resources and entered into many strategic projects with multiple economic links, it is possible to establish a governmental development axis capable of benefiting from the sustainable financial management mechanisms of the leading sector through a development approach that can be followed to achieve real results: It is represented by launching development from the leading sector that has the absolute advantage in contributing to the gross domestic product,

as it is likely that development will extend through this sector vertically and horizontally to and from the rest of its parts, and with the various sectors contributing to the chain of exchange of outputs and inputs, and focusing development activity on many sectors with organic horizontal interconnections that are likely to be of great importance to the development process in order to direct financing and investment activity towards its optimal function.

Therefore, I see the possibility of the government taking this development direction by planning for the oil sector and developing it vertically through planning for related internal activities such as the transformational industries in many economic sectors such as the construction and building sector and the electricity services sector, which are related to domestic consumer demand and would reduce the volume of imports.

On the one hand, on the other hand, the government must draw up a development plan to attract activities from weak sectors to achieve consistency in sectoral growth to raise their contribution to the GDP.

To enhance the proposed approach, a protective trade policy must be adopted that works to develop domestic demand for many industries branching off from the leading sector with organic links, and raise the levels of the GDP.   https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=54790

Rashid Bank Disburses Interest On National Bonds To Beneficiaries

Buratha News Agency1492025-04-24   Rashid Bank announced today, Thursday, the payment of semi-annual interest on national government bonds to their beneficiaries. This is part of its full commitment to the specified timetable and to enhance investor and citizen confidence in the Iraqi financial and banking system.

The bank's media outlet stated in a statement that this step comes within the framework of its ongoing support for the Ministry of Finance's efforts to stimulate the local financial market and encourage citizens to invest in government debt instruments with attractive returns and limited risks.

The bank also invited citizens interested in investing in government bonds to visit its branches across Baghdad and the governorates to take advantage of the opportunities that provide a steady and secure income.

He pointed out that the interest payment process was carried out according to approved mechanisms and in line with the instructions issued by the Central Bank of Iraq. https://burathanews.com/arabic/economic/459199

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

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Thursday Afternoon 4-24-25

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

CME GROUP TO LAUNCH XRP FUTURES IN MAY

Top derivatives firm, CME Group, is set to launch XRP futures in May, offering more options for traders in the digital asset market.

▪️Derivatives marketplace CME Group will launch XRP futures on May 19, pending regulatory approval.

▪️Contracts are available in two sizes, cash-settled with a daily reference rate.
Other firms like ProShares filed for three XRP futures ETFs with the U.S.SEC.

▪️Other firms like ProShares filed for three XRP futures ETFs with the U.S.SEC.

Global leading derivatives marketplace CME Group has confirmed adding XRP futures to its list of cryptocurrency derivatives products.

The launch is planned for May 19, pending the green light from regulators. This recent development is part of the firm’s continued effort to meet growing demand from investors looking for alternatives in the digital asset market.

Details on the New XRP Futures Contracts

According to CME Group, the XRP futures will be available in two contract sizes. As detailed, one will cover 2,500 XRP while the other will be much larger, representing 50,000 XRP.

It is worth mentioning that both contracts will be cash-settled. Pricing will be based on the CME CF XRP-Dollar reference rate, a daily benchmark calculated at 4:00 p.m. London time.

This rate reflects the value of XRP in U.S. dollars and is used to provide a consistent and fair settlement process. This addition will expand CME Group’s existing digital asset offerings.

The CME Group exchange currently provides futures and options for the most prominent cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin and Ethereum. It also expanded its crypto offerings with the launch of Solana (SOL) futures. With XRP now added to the lineup, CME is ready to provide traders with a broader range of tools to manage their exposure to digital assets.

Since entering the digital asset ecosystem, the exchange has recorded a consistent increase in interest in its crypto products. In the first quarter of 2025, the average daily volume for crypto futures was 198,000 contracts. This represents a notional value of $11.3 billion, showing strong year-over-year growth.

Open interest also grew to an average of 251,000 contracts, equal to $21.8 billion in notional value. SOL futures, which began trading in mid-March, recorded more than 43,000 contracts traded, with a total notional value of $705 million.

Rising Demand for Regulated XRP Offerings

CME Group’s decision to offer XRP futures reveals the increasing role of regulated financial instruments in digital asset trading. Based on market sentiment, as more investors seek alternatives for BTC and ETH, exchanges respond by introducing products linked to other tokens.

XRP, the cryptocurrency associated with Ripple Labs, has gained attention for its practical use in financial transactions. Its speed and low cost have made it popular among everyday users and institutional investors.

With XRP’s inclusion, CME Group is widening access to futures trading in an evolving space. This also signals that traditional financial institutions are paying closer attention to how digital assets can fit into mainstream portfolios.

In addition to CME Group’s announcement of launching XRP futures, the digital asset has made headlines lately following the conclusion of the Ripple vs. SEC case. The settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has arguably renewed confidence in XRP’s position, paving the way for increased institutional interest.

Coinspeaker noted earlier that ProShares has joined the race for the XRP ETF. In a recent SEC filing, the firm revealed plans to launch three XRP futures-based ETFs. This move signals growing competition and a more competitive investment appetite in the XRP space.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  CoinSpeaker\

~~~~~~~~~

BRICS: CHINA OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES PLAN TO PROMOTE ITS OWN PAYMENT SYSTEM

BRICS member China officially rolled out a plan to promote its own payment system to replace SWIFT. The Communist country aims to reduce US dollar dependency to confront Washington’s aggressive stance on trade and tariffs. The new plan was jointly released by the Shanghai municipal government and the People’s Bank of China, the country’s central bank.

The new payment system from BRICS member China will incorporate the Chinese yuan through the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS). China wants to leverage its dominance in the manufacturing and trade sector and push the Chinese yuan for settlements.

BRICS: China Will Take on SWIFT Through CIPS Payment System

The BRICS country China revealed that it will “enhance the functionality” of CIPS and challenge the Western-dominated SWIFT payment system. “Promote the use of the renminbi in belt and road partner countries, and build a trade and investment service system based in Shanghai to facilitate the global circulation and use of the renminbi,” the plan stated.

The plan also states that the Xi Jinping administration will strengthen financial support to Chinese enterprises “going global”. “Enabling all types of market players to engage in international competition and cooperation in a safer, more convenient and efficient manner,” read the report.

China will also allow other BRICS members to settle cross-border transactions without the US dollar in the new payment system. Beijing is looking to internationalize the Chinese yuan and make it a common currency for trade among developing nations.

Settling cross-border transactions in the new payment system will not only strengthen the Chinese economy but also uplift the BRICS alliance. The development could cause harm to the US dollar as more countries will stop using it as a form of payment for trade.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Watcher Guru

~~~~~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Q & A Classroom Link  

Follow the Roadmap

Follow the Timeline 

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Thank you Dinar Recaps