Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Sunday Morning 2-15-26

Customs Authority: The ASYCUDA System Enhances Fairness And Raises Revenues To 200 Billion Dinars

Money and Business   Economy News – Baghdad   The Customs Authority confirmed on Sunday that the ASYCUDA system currently in use in customs work calculates fees based on weight and number. While noting that the ASYCUDA system has increased revenues, it expects rates to increase in the coming period.

The head of the authority, Thamer Qasim, said that "the ASYCUDA issue depends on weight and number," explaining that "some goods are measured by number when calculating the customs duty, while other materials depend on weight, as this requires more information about the goods."

He pointed out that "the fixed fee was taken by a decision in 2014, which led to congestion in the port, as previously, regardless of its weight or contents, a fee of 3,000,000 dinars was paid for each container, but today the global customs system relies on weight and number in the demarcation."

He added that "previously, a container and its contents were subject to a fee of 3,000,000 dinars, whether its value was $1,000,000 or the goods in the container were worth $10,000, which is not fair, unscientific, and internationally unacceptable."

He explained that "the fixed fee was adopted during a period when work was done on paper and there was no automation system, and it was a temporary and ill-considered phase," stressing that "there is no longer a need to adopt the fixed fee."

He pointed out that "this type of fee is used in underdeveloped countries plagued by corruption and unable to control outlets that do not have an electronic system, and it also exposes the country to international criticism."

He confirmed that "the volume of revenues achieved up to yesterday amounted to 200,000,000,000 dinars, with expectations of an increase in rates in the coming period," noting "the renewal of procedures, and the creation of a fourth control yesterday at the Baba Mahmoud Customs Office adjacent to the Kurdistan Region." https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65698

Integrity: High Level Of Cooperation And Coordination With The Ministry Of Interior And The Border Ports Authority To Close The Loopholes For Corrupt Individuals

Money and Business   Economy News – Baghdad   The Federal Integrity Commission stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the Border Ports Authority, in order to tighten procedures and measures that would prevent perpetrators of corruption crimes from finding any safe havens.

The commission explained in a statement received by “Al-Eqtisad News” that “the legislation, procedures and mechanisms in place, as well as the relevant regional and international agreements and memoranda of understanding, represent fundamental pillars in confronting transnational corruption,” stressing “the importance of the Foreigners Residence Law No. (76 of 2017), and its pivotal role in controlling the entry of foreigners into the country, especially those suspected of committing corruption crimes or accused of them, as well as those who have a direct connection to those crimes.”

The commission emphasized "the importance of integrating roles between law enforcement and immigration authorities, and exchanging information between them, in order to prevent those involved in corruption crimes from obtaining entry visas, residency, or Iraqi citizenship."

She added that “the coordination with the Ministry of Interior included discussing the mechanisms adopted in sending and receiving information related to the involvement of foreigners, and the challenges that hinder its exchange at the international level, as well as understanding the Ministry of Interior’s visions and proposals in this field, while emphasizing the need to maximize the benefit from international information networks, such as the (GLOBE) network, the Interpol organization and the (CARINK) network, as effective tools in closing the doors to those accused and convicted in corruption cases and preventing their infiltration into the country.”   https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65704

Sudani Calls On Finnish Companies To Enter The Iraqi Market To Contribute To Reconstruction Efforts.

Money and Business      Economy News – Baghdad   Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called on Finnish companies on Sunday to enter the Iraqi market to contribute to reconstruction and development efforts.

A statement from his media office, received by “Al-Eqtisad News”, stated that “Al-Sudani received the Finnish Minister of Interior, Ms. Mari Rantainen, and her accompanying delegation to discuss ways to strengthen relations between the two countries in light of the convening of the Iraqi-Finnish Joint Committee meeting, which contributes to expanding areas of cooperation, especially in the developmental, economic and technological sectors, and exchanging experiences in the field of sustainable development.”

He stressed the importance of developing bilateral relations in various sectors, calling on Finnish companies to enter the Iraqi market to contribute to reconstruction and development campaigns through available investment opportunities, in addition to security cooperation in the field of training police forces and exchanging information, technology and modern techniques in the work of security agencies.

Al-Sudani pointed to Iraq's supportive stance towards efforts to impose security and stability in the region and resolve conflicts through constructive dialogues, explaining that the transfer of ISIS terrorist prisoners from Syria to Iraq is an Iraqi decision aimed at preserving regional and international security, stressing the importance of the international community assuming its responsibilities and taking the foreign elements from ISIS terrorist prisoners and bringing them to justice.

For her part, the Finnish Minister of the Interior expressed her appreciation for the relations with Iraq, stressing her country's interest in strengthening cooperation and its readiness to open new horizons in bilateral relations in areas of common interest.     https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65706

Iran: We Are Open To A Nuclear Deal If The US Discusses Lifting Sanctions.

Money and Business   Economy News - Follow-up   Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said in an interview with the BBC, published on Sunday, that Iran is prepared to consider making concessions to reach a nuclear agreement with the United States if the Americans show a willingness to discuss lifting sanctions.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to increase economic pressure on Iran, according to US officials who spoke to Axios.

Officials explained that this agreement was reached during the recent meeting between Trump and Netanyahu at the White House.

Officials indicated that the maximum pressure campaign would run concurrently with nuclear talks with Iran and the ongoing military buildup in the Middle East.

A new round of negotiations is scheduled to take place on Tuesday in Geneva, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US envoys Steve Wittkopf and Jared Kushner in attendance.  https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65695

Sudani's Office: Iraq's Remarkable Progress In The Corruption Perceptions Index Reflects The Government's Will.

Money and Business    Economy News – Baghdad   The Media Office of the Prime Minister announced that Iraq has made significant progress in the results of the Corruption Perceptions Index issued on February 10, 2026 by Transparency International, compared to the 2025 ranking, in a step that reflects the government’s commitment to combating corruption and promoting the principles of transparency and integrity in state institutions.

The statement explained that this improvement in the international ranking embodies the government’s firm will to consolidate the principles of accountability and public sector governance, along with supporting oversight bodies and adopting structural reforms within the government program, which contributed to raising performance levels and enhancing confidence in public institutions.

He noted that the progress achieved was the result of continuous and comprehensive efforts led by the government, with the adoption of clear priorities in the field of combating corruption, and the implementation of practical measures to develop institutional performance and raise integrity standards in various sectors.

The statement affirmed that these results represent an incentive to redouble efforts in the coming years to maintain and build upon this progress, praising the role of public institutions that contributed, each according to its specialization, to achieving this accomplishment within the framework of administrative and financial reform in the country.  https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65696

Planning: Launching The (Donors Fund) Project To Support National Development Soon

Money and Business    Economy News – Baghdad   The Ministry of Planning intends to launch the (Donors Fund) project to support national development in the coming period, a step that comes within the framework of the five-year memorandum of cooperation signed between Iraq and the United Nations.

The ministry spokesman, Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi, told Al-Sabah, as reported by Al-Eqtisad News, that the project, which is included in the agreement that began in 2024 and will continue until 2029, aims to enhance national development efforts and support priority programs and projects.

Al-Hindawi stressed that launching the fund represents an important step towards unifying international support efforts, which contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and strengthening the partnership between Iraq and international organizations, in a way that serves the path of comprehensive development in the country in various sectors.

Al-Hindawi pointed out the importance of the Fund’s alignment with Iraq’s development vision and the national plan prepared in this regard, as well as its economic policies, in order to ensure that all projects that are funded have a tangible and beneficial impact on the economy and society in the country.

He considered the size of investments and the number of projects being implemented, and the job opportunities they provide, as important indicators that affect inflation rates, stressing that maintaining currency stability at good levels contributes to keeping inflation within its low rates, and that investment activity and good economic movement are reflected positively on job opportunities, and therefore on inflation levels.

The ministry spokesman stated that inflation is a tool for measuring and interpreting the economic reality, whether in cases of recession, inflation, or other economic indicators, explaining that the recorded decrease in inflation rates during 2025 is very low and limited in percentages, but it does not necessarily mean a direct decrease in the cost of living.

The living conditions in the country, compared to previous years, are relatively better, due to consumer confidence, the availability of basic materials in the markets at low or reasonable prices, in addition to support for the items on the ration card, as well as covering imports at the official dollar rate, which are factors that have contributed to easing the burdens on citizens’ livelihoods.   https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65684

Jon Dowling: Latest Updates on the Great Wealth Transfer and Currencies with Dave Mahoney, Feb 2026

Jon Dowling: Latest Updates on the Great Wealth Transfer and Currencies with Dave Mahoney, Feb 2026

2-14-2026

As we recently celebrated Valentine’s Day, amidst the chocolates and romantic gestures, the world was quietly abuzz with significant geopolitical and economic developments that are poised to shape the future.

 In a recent, enlightening discussion, experts took a fascinating journey from casual musings on Valentine’s Day to a comprehensive analysis of the current global economic climate, shedding light on trends, predictions, and potential investment opportunities.

The conversation took a sharp turn from the festive to the serious, delving into the intricacies of global economics and geopolitics.

A focal point was the anticipated stance of the U.S. Federal Reserve regarding gold ownership.

The discussion underscored the significance of understanding the Federal Reserve’s policies, especially as they pertain to gold, a traditional safe-haven asset.

 The rising market trends in silver and the performance of a Texas-based Israeli oil company also caught the attention of the discussants, highlighting the diverse sectors where investment opportunities are emerging.

One of the key predictions made during the discussion was the expectation of significant stock market movements by March, driven in part by legislative actions such as the Clarity Act.

The hosts elaborated on how such legislative developments, coupled with currency fluctuations and rising inflation in the U.S., could have far-reaching implications for investors and the broader economy. The conversation underscored the importance of staying informed about these developments to navigate the complex financial landscape effectively.

The discussion also ventured into the sociopolitical climates of Cuba and Vietnam, two countries operating under authoritarian systems yet presenting intriguing prospects for growth and reform.

The experts highlighted the potential for economic reforms in these countries, suggesting that despite their political frameworks, there are opportunities for investment and economic advancement.

This segment of the discussion offered a nuanced perspective on the interplay between political systems and economic growth, pointing to the complexities that define our globalized world.

As the conversation drew to a close, the hosts turned their attention to investment opportunities, particularly in precious metals and the oil sector. With an optimistic yet cautious outlook on the coming months, they emphasized the likelihood of major geopolitical shifts and market corrections.

This perspective is invaluable for investors and observers alike, as it underscores the need for vigilance and adaptability in a rapidly changing world.

In conclusion, the discussion serves as a compelling reminder of the interconnectedness of global events and economic trends.

 From the Federal Reserve’s policies on gold ownership to the emerging opportunities in Cuba and Vietnam, the landscape is complex and multifaceted. As we move forward, the importance of staying informed through reliable sources cannot be overstated.

For those interested in delving deeper into these insights, watching the full video from Jon Dowling is highly recommended. As we navigate the forthcoming changes in global finance and politics, being prepared and informed will be key to making informed decisions.

https://youtu.be/LWsqNH0prT8

The Great Monetary Reset is here

The Great Monetary Reset is here

VRIC Media:  2-14-2026

In a thought-provoking video from VRIC Media, Jennifer Shagus, also known as Jenny Many Dots on Twitter, sheds light on the concept of the “Great Reset,” a profound transformation underway in the global economic and geopolitical landscape.

 Initially met with skepticism, Jennifer now firmly believes that the Great Reset is a reality, rapidly gaining momentum and poised to overhaul the existing capitalist system and global monetary order.

To understand the magnitude of this shift, Jennifer takes us on a historical journey, tracing the evolution of monetary policy and global power dynamics from the Treaty of Westphalia to modern-day events.

She highlights pivotal moments, such as the end of the gold standard, the creation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and China’s strategic rise to prominence. By connecting the dots between these events, Jennifer provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between global actors and the emerging world order.

At the heart of Jennifer’s analysis is the concept of “dedollarization,” a gradual but deliberate move away from the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency. Led by China and supported by institutions like the IMF and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), this shift has significant implications for the global economy.

Jennifer also examines the role of influential figures, including Henry Kissinger, Mark Carney, and Nixon, whose policies and decisions have contributed to the evolving world order.

Jennifer warns that the current financial system is fragile and on the cusp of a potential “Minsky moment,” a tipping point where excessive debt and risk could trigger a systemic collapse.

The upcoming implementation of “Basil 3 endgame,” a regulatory change that could drastically reduce credit availability in the US economy, is a key factor in this instability.

As the global economy teeters on the brink of a significant transformation, Jennifer highlights the growing prominence of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and the increasing digitization and tokenization of assets.

These developments will enable global institutions to exert unprecedented control over wealth distribution and redistribution. Jennifer contrasts socialism as possible outcomes following the collapse of capitalism, noting China’s emergence as a middle kingdom in a tribute-based global system.

Jennifer stresses the importance of watching and listening to the real policymakers and global actors shaping the future, rather than relying on secondary sources or opinions. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex forces at play and make informed decisions to protect our financial well-being.

For a more in-depth exploration of the Great Reset and its implications, be sure to watch the full video from VRIC Media. As the global economic order continues to evolve, staying informed and prepared is crucial for navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

https://youtu.be/aLEr6PoJ8uw

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Saturday Afternoon 2-14-26

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

ECB Expands Euro Liquidity Worldwide in Strategic Reserve Shift

Global backstop move strengthens euro’s international role and challenges dollar funding dominance

Overview

The European Central Bank (ECB) has expanded its euro liquidity backstop facilities to central banks worldwide, significantly broadening access beyond the eurozone.

This move positions the euro as a more accessible global funding currency, reinforcing its role in international reserves and cross-border liquidity management.

The decision comes amid growing fragmentation in global finance and increasing efforts by nations to diversify away from dollar dependency.

Key Developments

1. Euro Liquidity Facility Goes Global

The ECB announced that its euro liquidity lines — including repo and swap arrangements — will now be made available to a wider network of central banks globally.

This effectively creates a global euro funding safety net.

2. Strengthening the Euro’s International Role

The expansion aims to reinforce the euro’s position as a credible alternative reserve and settlement currency, particularly during periods of financial stress.

Liquidity access is critical for central banks managing currency volatility and cross-border capital flows.

3. Structural Shift in Reserve Strategy

As geopolitical fragmentation increases, central banks are reassessing exposure to dollar-based liquidity channels.

Providing euro funding access globally increases the euro’s attractiveness in reserve diversification strategies.

4. Strategic Timing

The move comes amid intensifying debates over sanctions, frozen assets, and global payment infrastructure realignment — all key themes in the evolving monetary landscape.

Why It Matters

Liquidity is power in the global financial system.

By expanding euro backstops globally, the ECB is:

• Increasing euro usage in international trade
• Strengthening Europe’s monetary autonomy
• Reducing systemic reliance on Federal Reserve dollar swap lines
• Positioning the euro as a stabilizing multipolar anchor

This is not merely technical policy — it is strategic monetary positioning.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

For currency observers and global reset analysts, this development affects:

• Global reserve allocation trends
• Dollar vs. euro liquidity competition
• Cross-border funding markets
• Geopolitical risk hedging strategies

If more nations gain confidence in euro liquidity access, reserve composition shifts could gradually accelerate.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Multipolar Monetary Infrastructure
The euro liquidity expansion supports the rise of a multi-anchor reserve system rather than a singular dollar-dominated structure.

Pillar 2: Financial Sovereignty Realignment
By offering alternative funding channels, Europe strengthens its independent financial leverage in an increasingly fragmented system.

The architecture of global liquidity is evolving — and access mechanisms determine influence.

This is not just central banking — it is monetary geopolitics in motion.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Reuters — “ECB Makes Euro Backstop Global to Bolster Currency’s Role”

• European Central Bank — “ECB Expands Euro Liquidity Lines to Global Central Banks”

~~~~~~~~~~

Multipolar Shift Accelerates as Global Leaders Warn of Rule Vacuum

Business summit signals structural end to unipolar order but governance gaps raise instability risks

Overview

At the ET Now Global Business Summit 2026, global policymakers and economic leaders emphasized that the world is moving decisively toward a multipolar order — but without an agreed framework of rules.

Speakers warned that while power is dispersing across regions, institutional coordination has not kept pace, increasing the risk of instability in trade, finance, and security.

The summit reinforced a growing consensus: the unipolar era is fading, and a new global order is emerging — but its architecture remains unfinished.

Key Developments

1. Multipolarity Confirmed as Structural Shift

Leaders described multipolarity not as temporary turbulence but as a long-term systemic transformation in global governance.

Power centers are expanding beyond traditional Western dominance.

2. Governance Gaps Raise Risk

Without updated global trade, security, and financial coordination frameworks, fragmentation may increase volatility.

Speakers warned that instability deepens when structural shifts outpace institutional reform.

3. Trade and Finance at a Crossroads

Debates highlighted strain within the global trading system, supply chains, and cross-border investment flows.

Calls for reform are intensifying across multilateral institutions.

4. Emerging Markets Gain Influence

Regional powers and energy-producing nations are asserting stronger roles in shaping economic policy architecture.

This redistribution of influence is central to the evolving global reset dynamic.

Why It Matters

Multipolarity changes how:

• Currencies compete
• Trade is settled
• Alliances are structured
• Financial institutions operate

Without rule modernization, competing blocs could create parallel governance systems.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

For currency holders and global reset observers, multipolarity affects:

• Reserve diversification strategies
• Commodity pricing mechanisms
• Sanctions resilience frameworks
• Alternative payment system growth

Markets react not only to policy — but to structural uncertainty.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: End of Unipolar Dominance
The summit reinforced that global leadership is no longer concentrated in one axis.

Pillar 2: Institutional Redesign Pending
The lack of updated global rules suggests a transition phase where parallel systems compete before convergence.

The world is not collapsing — it is rebalancing.

The question is not whether multipolarity is arriving — it is whether governance can stabilize it before volatility accelerates.

This is not just economic commentary — it is the blueprint debate of the next financial era.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Reuters — “ECB Makes Euro Backstop Global to Bolster Currency’s Role”

• Economic Times — “ET Now Global Business Summit 2026: Multipolarity Is New World Order; But Without Rules, Instability Will Deepen”

~~~~~~~~~~

Board of Peace Boycott? Russia & Belarus Skip Trump’s First Global Peace Summit

Gaza mediation effort faces early geopolitical friction as Moscow and Minsk decline inaugural session

Overview

The newly formed Board of Peace, launched by Donald Trump during the World Economic Forum in Geneva, is already facing headwinds.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will not attend the first official meeting scheduled for February 19 in Washington. While both leaders were invited, Kremlin and Belarusian officials cited scheduling conflicts, sanctions barriers, and unresolved policy questions surrounding the initiative.

The Board was created to help administer post-conflict stabilization in Gaza following agreements involving Hamas and Israel, but its broader mandate appears to be expanding beyond the Middle East.

Key Developments

1. Moscow Officially Declines Participation

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin’s attendance was never placed on the president’s schedule. Russia’s Foreign Ministry, represented publicly by Maria Zakharova, stated that Moscow is still studying the framework of the Board and will not send delegates to the inaugural meeting.

2. Belarus Points to Sanctions Barriers

Lukashenko’s press secretary cited logistical challenges stemming from EU and U.S. sanctions. Personal sanctions against Lukashenko and his family remain in force, complicating any diplomatic travel to Washington.

3. Russia Signals Conditional Support

Despite skipping the first meeting, Putin previously signaled readiness to allocate up to $1 billion in frozen U.S.-held Russian assets toward Board of Peace initiatives. This suggests Moscow is not rejecting the concept outright — but may be leveraging participation as part of broader normalization talks with Washington.

4. Expanding Scope Raises Questions

Though originally focused on Gaza, Trump is reportedly seeking to broaden the Board’s mandate to include conflicts in Venezuela and Ukraine. Analysts from the Valdai Discussion Club note that such expansion could complicate participation for major powers already navigating tense diplomatic relationships.

Why It Matters

The absence of Russia and Belarus at the inaugural session sends a signal that major geopolitical players are cautious about U.S.-led multilateral initiatives.

While 19 countries signed the Board’s charter on the sidelines of Davos, many traditional U.S. allies are reportedly refraining from full participation. Meanwhile, several post-Soviet states have expressed willingness to join — a dynamic that reshapes regional alignment patterns.

For Moscow, skipping the first meeting may serve as strategic positioning rather than outright rejection.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

Currency markets move on diplomatic stability.

If the Board of Peace becomes a platform for thawing U.S.–Russia relations, that could influence:

• Sanctions policy
• Frozen asset negotiations
• Energy trade settlement mechanisms
• Dollar exposure in Eastern Europe

Conversely, fragmentation or selective participation could reinforce multipolar currency blocs and parallel financial systems — themes already central to BRICS expansion discussions.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Power Realignment
This development underscores the gradual shift from unilateral Western-led institutions toward fragmented multipolar negotiation platforms.

Pillar 2: Sanctions & Frozen Asset Leverage
Putin’s willingness to redirect frozen assets signals financial restructuring mechanisms are increasingly tied to geopolitical bargaining.

The Board of Peace may become less about Gaza alone and more about the architecture of future conflict mediation frameworks — and who controls them.

This is not just diplomacy — it’s the restructuring of global leverage systems in real time.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Modern Diplomacy — “Board of Peace: Why Putin and Lukashenko Refused to Attend”

• TASS — “Russia Will Not Take Part in Upcoming Board of Peace Meeting, Zakharova Says”

~~~~~~~~~~

BRICS Accelerates a New Global Order Beyond Dollar Dominance

Gold-backed settlement tools and local currency trade reshape global financial power

Overview

The BRICS alliance is intensifying efforts to build a new global financial architecture that reduces reliance on the U.S. dollar and strengthens multipolar monetary cooperation.

Representing nearly half the world’s population and roughly 40% of global GDP, the bloc is advancing de-dollarization through:

• The launch of a gold-backed digital settlement Unit
• Expansion of local currency trade agreements
• Integration of alternative payment systems
• Institutional financing through the New Development Bank

This is not simply currency diversification — it is a structural shift in global finance.

Key Developments

1. The BRICS Unit: Gold-Backed Settlement Architecture

On October 31, 2025, BRICS officially launched the BRICS Unit, structured as a digital settlement instrument backed by 40% gold and 60% BRICS currencies.

The Unit is designed for wholesale cross-border trade settlement, reducing exposure to dollar-clearing systems and Western-controlled payment networks.

This mechanism strengthens trade corridors across energy, commodities, and infrastructure sectors.

2. Payment System Integration Gains Momentum

BRICS nations are connecting independent financial networks to create parallel rails outside Western systems.

Key integrations include:

• China’s CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System)
• Russia’s SPFS financial messaging system
• India’s UPI digital payment infrastructure
• Emerging BRICS Pay frameworks

Together, these systems reduce dependency on SWIFT and increase settlement autonomy.

3. Local Currency Trade Surges

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov announced that 99.1% of Russia-China trade is now settled in rubles and yuan.

Across the broader bloc, local currency usage reportedly reached 90% utilization by late 2024 in intra-BRICS trade corridors.

Major bilateral examples include:

• China–Brazil trade agreements
• India–Russia energy settlements
• Expanding African partnerships

This operationalizes de-dollarization at a transactional level — not just policy rhetoric.

4. Strategic Framing from BRICS Leadership

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated:

“We are not refusing, not fighting the dollar, but if they don’t let us work with it, what can we do?”

Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized:

“I do not believe we have any policy to have a replacement to the dollar.”

India’s stance reflects a pragmatic diversification strategy rather than overt confrontation.

Why It Matters

The BRICS strategy is shifting from theoretical discussions of de-dollarization to tangible infrastructure development.

By combining:

• Gold-backed settlement tools
• Local currency agreements
• Independent payment networks
• Multilateral development financing

BRICS is engineering a parallel financial ecosystem that operates alongside — and increasingly independent from — dollar dominance.

With 23 additional nations reportedly applying for membership, the bloc’s influence is expanding across energy-producing states and emerging markets.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

For currency investors and global reset observers, these developments affect:

• Reserve currency composition trends
• Energy settlement mechanisms
• Gold demand dynamics
• Sanctions resilience strategies
• Cross-border liquidity channels

The rise of gold-backed digital settlement instruments introduces a hybrid monetary model blending hard asset backing with digital efficiency.

If adoption scales, the impact could extend to global reserve diversification and commodity pricing structures.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Monetary Multipolarity
The BRICS Unit and alternative rails accelerate movement toward a multi-currency settlement world.

Pillar 2: Institutional Realignment
The New Development Bank and coordinated payment systems reduce dependency on Western-led financial institutions.

The shift is gradual — but cumulative.

This is not an overnight overthrow of dollar power — it is the methodical construction of a parallel system designed to coexist, compete, and eventually rebalance global monetary influence.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Watcher.Guru — “BRICS Drives the Rise of a New Global Order Beyond Dollar Power”

• Reuters — “BRICS Nations Expand Local Currency Trade and Payment Cooperation”

~~~~~~~~~~

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

“Tidbits From TNT” Saturday 2-14-2026

TNT:

Tishwash: With the start of Ramadan, a breakthrough is expected in the presidential deadlock, with the nomination of the candidate from the largest bloc.

Abdel Samad Zarkoushi, a member of the coordinating framework, predicted on Friday (February 13, 2026) that the candidate of the largest bloc would be appointed during the first days of the holy month of Ramadan.

Al-Zarkoushi told Baghdad Today that “dialogues and meetings of the Coordination Framework forces are continuing almost daily, and there are serious efforts to resolve the issue of the position of President of the Republic,” noting that “important understandings have been reached in the past few days, and are expected to be reflected in next week’s meetings.”

He added that "the readings available to us indicate that the issue of electing the President of the Republic and assigning the candidate of the largest bloc will be resolved in the first days of Ramadan," noting that "the forces of the framework are still holding on to their candidate Nouri al-Maliki for the next government, and there are no changes in this direction."

Al-Zarkoushi confirmed that "the forces of the framework will hold an important meeting next week, perhaps before the month of Ramadan, to discuss several issues, and its outcomes may lead to accelerating the pace of setting a session for the House of Representatives to vote on the President of the Republic, after which the latter will assign the candidate of the largest bloc."

These statements come amid continued political deadlock over the appointment of the President and Prime Minister, following repeated rounds of talks between the Coordination Framework forces and other political forces.

The House of Representatives had failed in previous sessions to achieve the legal quorum necessary to elect the President of the Republic, which led to postponing the decision more than once, amid political tensions and disagreements over the candidates.

According to the Iraqi constitution, the election of the president of the republic precedes the step of assigning the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc to form the government, which makes this entitlement pivotal in ending the state of paralysis and moving towards forming a new government to manage the next stage.  link

Tishwash: The Iraqi street is paying the price for bureaucratic delays, political inaction, and rising prices.

The political vacuum represents one of the most serious challenges facing the stability of countries emerging from accumulated crises, as the absence of central decision-making becomes a daily reality affecting every aspect of citizens' lives. The Iraqi scene stands as a prime example, where the impact of political paralysis extends beyond the ruling elites to the public, the economy, the market, and the currency.

The delay in forming a government exacerbates the complexities of the economic and social crises, disrupting support programs, slowing investments, and eroding market confidence. Prices are rising faster than salaries, while demands for services are mounting in major cities. Observers note that local markets have begun to treat political timing as an economic indicator, as financial stability is now practically linked to the clarity of executive authority.

On the other hand, disagreements persist between the major blocs and lists, exceeding the constitutional deadlines for determining the president and prime minister, reflecting a structural flaw in the consensus-building mechanism. Negotiations have devolved into an open-ended tug-of-war, with each faction attempting to secure its position within the future power structure before even agreeing on the government itself.

The government formation crisis then takes on a form that is more a struggle over the nature of the next executive system than a mere competition for positions.

The parties are torn between a broad consensus government model and a political majority model, which is hindering any quick settlement, because the agreement is no longer just on names but on the rules of governance.

In parallel, the political vacuum has entered a critical phase after the constitutional deadlines for voting on senior positions were missed, leaving institutions in a state of administrative limbo. Ministries are hesitant to make long-term decisions for fear of political challenges or a sudden government reshuffle.

This reality is directly reflected in the economic and social fabric of the state, with the salary crisis and rising prices emerging as the first indicators of its impact. Economic anxiety transforms into a general mood that puts pressure on the political process, as citizens feel that the political crisis has shifted from the halls of parliament to the very means of sustenance.

The caretaker government headed by “Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani” operates within limited powers, so it cannot launch infrastructure projects, pass budgets, control the market and monetary policy, or confront the financial deficit. The state becomes a temporary administration, while the heavy economic files require full sovereign decisions. link

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

Tishwash: Washington warns: Any Iraqi government must remain completely independent.

The acting US ambassador to Baghdad, Joe Harris, discussed with the head of the National Approach Alliance, Abdul Hussein al-Moussawi, on Thursday, ways to strengthen the partnership between the United States and Iraq, in order to achieve “tangible benefits” for both countries, stressing Washington’s readiness to use all available tools to confront Iranian “destabilizing” activities in Iraq, and emphasizing that any Iraqi government should be completely independent.

The embassy stated in a statement, which was followed by Network 964 , that “in his meeting with Dr. Al-Moussawi, Chargé d’Affaires Harris discussed the importance of a strong partnership between the United States and Iraq, which brings tangible benefits to Americans and Iraqis, within the framework of working to enhance our common interests, which are represented in preserving Iraqi sovereignty, promoting regional stability, and strengthening economic ties.”

Harris affirmed the United States' readiness "to use the full range of tools at its disposal to counter Iran's destabilizing activities in Iraq," stressing that "any Iraqi government should remain fully independent and focused on promoting the national interests of all Iraqis."  link

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

Tishwash: The European Bank launches financing programs for small and medium-sized enterprises in Iraq.

 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on Friday the launch of a package of programs aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Iraq, providing specialized advisory services and financing facilities for these projects .

 The bank also officially launched its first call for applications to join its flagship "Star Venture" program, inviting promising technology-based startups to participate through a competitive selection process, according to a statement received by Shafaq News Agency.

“This day is a milestone in our partnership with Iraq,” said Katarina Björlin Hansen, the bank’s country director for Iraq, during the launch ceremony for the bank’s programs. “We see promising potential in the Iraqi private sector, which is a key pillar for achieving sustainable growth and creating opportunities for future generations .”

 She affirmed: “The bank is committed to working with our partners to foster an environment conducive to their growth and success,” noting that the bank “supports ambitious Iraqi entrepreneurs, helping them expand their businesses, employ more talent, and enhance their international competitiveness, through launching our programs to finance and develop small and medium enterprises, and launching the first local call for companies to join the program .”

The selected startups will receive specialized consulting services, international expertise, and opportunities to access networks of investors and mentors, which will support their growth and enable them to expand into regional and global markets, according to the office director .

 The launch event was attended by representatives of the Iraqi government, the donor community, financial institutions, business associations, and private sector leaders, and formed a platform to promote common goals for the development of small and medium enterprises, enhance the competitiveness of Iraqi companies, and present solutions, cooperation opportunities, and financing .

 The conference also provided valuable opportunities for communication, networking and introductions between small and medium enterprises and banks and development financial institutions, which contributed to strengthening cooperation with Iraqi business associations with which the bank will work to enhance trade networks and help identify and reduce obstacles to growth .

It is noted that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) began its operations in Iraq in September 2025, focusing on private sector development to improve access to finance, support local entrepreneurs, and promote long-term sustainable economic growth.

The bank supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by laying the foundations that enable them to grow, create jobs, and enhance their competitiveness. It also works through an integrated approach that combines financing, advisory support, and participation in policy formulation to build resilient institutions and sustainable local markets . link

Mot: My Latest ! -- ""to do list""

Mot:  aaaaahhhhhhh - the Good ole Daze!!!!

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Saturday Morning 2-14-26

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

EU MOVES TOWARD STRATEGIC AUTONOMY — EUROPE EYES FINANCIAL INTEGRATION AND EUROBONDS

Brussels accelerates plans to reduce external dependency and strengthen its monetary architecture

 Overview

European Union leaders convened to outline countermeasures to mounting external pressures from Russia, China, and the United States. Discussions focused on strengthening competitiveness, deepening financial system integration, and advancing strategic autonomy — including renewed consideration of joint debt issuance (Eurobonds) and coordinated economic defenses.

Key Developments

1. Economic Restructuring Framework
Leaders emphasized enhancing industrial competitiveness and reducing vulnerabilities in supply chains and financial infrastructure.

2. Eurobond Discussions Resurface
Joint debt issuance mechanisms are again under consideration, potentially deepening fiscal integration and expanding euro-denominated safe assets.

3. Strategic Autonomy Agenda
Europe seeks to insulate itself from tariff pressures, geopolitical leverage, and external monetary dependence.

4. Financial System Integration
Greater capital market integration could improve liquidity depth in euro assets and enhance the euro’s reserve appeal.

Why It Matters

• Expanded Eurobond issuance would increase euro-denominated safe-haven supply.

• Greater fiscal coordination strengthens Europe’s bargaining power globally.

• Structural autonomy initiatives reduce reliance on dollar-centric mechanisms.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

• A stronger, more unified euro framework may elevate the currency’s global reserve profile.

• Increased euro safe-asset supply could alter central bank reserve allocations.

• Diversification away from single-currency dominance may accelerate.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1 – Monetary Transition Stress
Europe’s push for autonomy reflects stress within the current global order. As regions fortify internal systems, confidence in a unified dollar-centric architecture continues to erode.

Pillar 2 – Paper vs. Physical Divide
While expanding euro debt instruments strengthens paper frameworks, it also highlights reliance on sovereign credit expansion. This dynamic may deepen scrutiny of fiat sustainability and reinforce demand for tangible asset hedges.

Seeds of Wisdom Team View

Europe is signaling that passive alignment is no longer sufficient. By strengthening fiscal unity and strategic autonomy, the EU is positioning itself as a more assertive pole in a multipolar financial world.

This is not just policy coordination — it’s a structural step toward reshaping Europe’s role in the global financial hierarchy.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• AP News — “EU leaders ready countermeasures to pressure from Russia, China and Trump”

• Financial Times — “EU weighs joint debt issuance amid global trade and security strains”

~~~~~~~~~~

BRICS End Game? Russia Eyes Dollar Return in Potential U.S. Trade Reset

After years of de-dollarization rhetoric, Moscow may reopen the door to U.S. dollar settlements in a strategic trade realignment.

Overview

• Russia is reportedly considering resuming U.S. dollar settlements under a potential new trade agreement with Washington.

• The proposal could allow dollar use in fossil fuels, natural gas, offshore oil, and critical minerals transactions.

• This would mark a major shift from Russia’s leadership role in the BRICS de-dollarization movement.

• Sanctions relief discussions may accompany the agreement, reshaping global trade flows.

Key Developments

• Dollar Settlements Could Resume by 2026

According to a memo reviewed by Bloomberg, Russia may be permitted to settle certevelopmentsain trade transactions in U.S. dollars if a deal with the White House materializes. The agreement reportedly centers on energy and strategic commodities—core pillars of global trade liquidity.

• Sanctions Relief Under Consideration
Russia was removed from the SWIFT system in 2022 following sanctions imposed after the Ukraine conflict. A phased easing of sanctions could reopen cross-border financial channels and reintegrate Russian trade flows into Western payment infrastructure.

• Shift From Yuan-Dominant Settlements
In recent years, nearly 90% of Russia-China trade has been settled in Chinese yuan. A renewed U.S.-Russia trade relationship could reduce reliance on yuan settlements and alter BRICS internal currency dynamics. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously advocated alternatives to the dollar—but this development suggests flexibility under evolving geopolitical conditions.

BRICS Bloc Faces Strategic Crossroads
If Moscow resumes dollar usage for key exports, it could soften the bloc’s unified de-dollarization narrative. Other BRICS members are also actively negotiating expanded trade relationships with Washington, signaling pragmatic economic recalibration.

Why It Matters

Energy trade remains one of the strongest anchors of global dollar demand. If Russia reintroduces dollar settlements in commodities markets, it would reinforce the dollar’s role in global liquidity while exposing limits to rapid de-dollarization ambitions. This reflects strategic adaptation rather than ideological reversal.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

Readers holding foreign currencies in anticipation of a Global Reset should note:

• A renewed dollar role in energy markets could temporarily strengthen dollar demand.

• Reduced yuan settlement volume between Russia and China could shift regional currency dynamics.

• Commodity-backed trade agreements often influence reserve positioning and currency valuation trends.

Foreign currency holders should recognize that monetary transitions are rarely linear. Strategic reversals can create volatility and repositioning opportunities.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Reserve Currency Resilience
Despite de-dollarization rhetoric, the dollar’s dominance in energy and commodity markets remains structurally strong. A Russia-U.S. trade reset would demonstrate the durability of existing reserve frameworks under geopolitical stress.

Pillar 2: Pragmatic Multipolar Realignment
Rather than a clean break from Western finance, this signals a hybrid system emerging—where nations pursue diversified settlement strategies while maintaining access to dollar liquidity when advantageous.

After years of pushing de-dollarization, Russia may pivot back to the dollar for energy trade — revealing how strategic interests can outweigh ideology in the evolving global currency reset.  

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Bloomberg – “U.S. and Russia Explore Trade Realignment That Could Restore Dollar Settlements”

• Watcher Guru – “BRICS End Game? Russia May Start Using the Dollar in New US Trade Deal”

~~~~~~~~~~

🌱 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

Why Firing 9% of the Federal Workforce Didn't Move the Needle

Why Firing 9% of the Federal Workforce Didn't Move the Needle

Notes From the Field By James Hickman (Simon Black)   February 13, 2026

In January 2025, the federal government employed about 3 million people. By November, that number had fallen by roughly 270,000 workers — a reduction of about 9%.    According to the Cato Institute, that was the largest peacetime federal workforce reduction EVER.

More than 150,000 employees took the "Fork in the Road" buyout offer to resign or retire. Tens of thousands more were laid off outright. Entire offices were emptied. Agencies that had been growing for decades shrank to staffing levels not seen since 2014.  And yet, despite historic federal layoffs, government spending went UP last year.

The federal government spent $7 trillion in Fiscal Year 2025— roughly $300 billion more than the year before. Bear in mind, 2025 was the year that DOGE was supposed to take a chainsaw to the budget and cut spending.

 This is not a failure of DOGE. It's a revelation about the actual problem.

The total federal payroll— every salary, every benefit, for every civilian federal employee (excluding the military)— comes to about $336 billion a year— less than 5% of total federal spending.

In other words, you could fire every federal employee tomorrow— every bureaucrat, every regulator, every paper-pusher in Washington— and 95% of the spending would continue as if nothing happened.

 That’s because around 60% of the budget is mandatory spending— Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid— programs that pay out automatically based on laws that were passed decades ago. Congress doesn't vote on these expenditures each year. The checks just go out.

 Then there's interest on the national debt, which in total runs about $1.2 trillion per year. It’s the second-largest line item in the entire federal budget, bigger than Medicare, bigger than national defense.

 (The government uses a lower number called “net” interest; they exclude hundreds of billions in interest owed to Social Security and military retirees. But unless they plan on screwing those people over, that interest still has to be paid. So, we use the “gross” interest number and not “net” interest).

 All of these obligations grow automatically, every year, regardless of who's in charge or how many people show up to work.

 Social Security alone grew by over $100 billion last year. Interest payments grew by another nearly $100 billion. Those two-line items, by themselves, swallowed more than the entire savings DOGE could theoretically achieve by cutting the workforce.

 In fact, according to the Congressional Budget Office, more than 80% of projected spending growth over the next decade comes from Social Security, federal healthcare programs, and interest on the debt.

This is the structural problem nobody in Washington wants to talk about honestly: America's deficit problem isn't exclusively because of bad decisions today. It's a failure to address bad decisions made years ago… decades ago-- commitments that are baked into law, growing on autopilot, funded by borrowing roughly $2 trillion every year.

 In an ideal world, Congress would address these entitlement programs directly. They are, after all, the biggest driver of the problem. But reforming Social Security or Medicare is the political third rail— nobody wants to touch it.

 But there are other ways to move the needle as well.

 The $38+ trillion national debt is manageable as long as the economy grows faster than the debt— which right now is not happening. But America still has absurdly strong economic potential to make that happen.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has publicly stated that roughly 10% of the entire federal budget— about $600 billion per year— is outright fraud. Not waste. Not inefficiency. Fraud. And much of that fraud is within entitlement programs— the welfare fraud that came to light in Minnesota, the hundreds of billions in Medicare and Medicaid fraud that have been documented for years.

 So, reducing fraud would be extremely helpful. Stop paying criminals!! It shouldn’t be that hard.

 Then they can take a hatchet to the regulatory maze that strangles productivity; this would substantially reduce the deficit and boost real economic growth— putting America in striking distance of growing the economy faster than the debt.

 To its credit, DOGE proved that the federal government could function with far fewer employees.

After the historic reduction in federal employees, services didn't collapse. The IRS still processed returns. Air traffic controllers still showed up. The essential machinery of government kept running with 9% fewer people.

That confirms what many have long suspected: a significant portion of federal workers exist to justify their own existence.

 But DOGE also proved something far more uncomfortable. Whenever the executive branch tries to go beyond workforce cuts and tackle the spending itself— even fraudulent spending— someone files a lawsuit, and a judge issues an injunction.

Federal judges blocked DOGE from accessing Treasury payment systems. A coalition of 20 state attorneys general sued to halt layoffs at over a dozen agencies. Even relatively modest cuts were tied up in litigation for months.

 The legal system functions as a ratchet: spending can go up easily, but it almost never comes down.

 Ultimately, the spending trajectory won’t change until Congress decides to root out fraud, cut spending across the board, and stop obstructing economic growth.

 But Congress won't act until voters force them to do so— which, based on the current state of American politics, isn't happening anytime soon.

 The window to fix this relatively painlessly is still open. But it's narrowing. Within seven years, Social Security's trust funds will be exhausted, and the national debt will exceed $50 trillion. At that point, the math won't just be uncomfortable. It will be unavoidable.

 We can hope they figure it out. But hope isn't a strategy. And that's what a good Plan B is all about— ensuring your family's financial future doesn't depend on Congress suddenly discovering fiscal discipline after decades of proving they have none.

To your freedom,   James Hickman   Co-Founder, Schiff Sovereign LLC

https://www.schiffsovereign.com/trends/why-firing-9-of-the-federal-workforce-didnt-move-the-needle-154374/?inf_contact_key=ba3dd9e020d0940b51885e2e1cb38c0b6844fcd1a35a326ef37e2a26408e3ff1

“Tidbits From TNT” Friday 2-13-2026

TNT:

Tishwash:  Baghdad and Erbil unify customs system to control markets and protect the value of the dinar

 The Iraqi General Authority of Customs announced on Thursday tangible progress in economic relations between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, confirming the region's response to the initiative to unify customs tariffs and implement federal decisions, in a strategic step aimed at controlling local markets, combating money laundering, and maintaining the stability of the value of foreign currency.

In a press statement, the Director General of the General Authority of Customs, Samer Qasim, revealed that "the Kurdistan Region has actually begun to respond to the issue of unifying customs tariffs with the federal ports," noting that the steps to comply with Resolution No. (597) and the customs instructions issued by Baghdad have entered into force.

Qasim explained that "the past two days witnessed a series of meetings in the capital, Baghdad, which resulted in initial agreements and practical understandings to begin unifying the customs system," considering this step a fundamental pillar for resolving many outstanding files and issues between the two sides.

The Director General of Customs emphasized that traders operating outside the customs and tax system will be the "most affected" by these measures. He added, "Working with the ASYCUDA electronic system requires traders to possess a valid import ID and tax ID. Accordingly, no financial transfers will be allowed to pass through this unified digital system."

Qassem explained that the tariff unification process will not include all goods in the first phase, but will focus on the "most imported goods" that cause large amounts of dollars to be drained abroad.

The Iraqi official concluded his statement by noting that the objectives of this coordination are “to regulate import operations, protect the Central Bank’s hard currency reserves, prevent the entry of low-quality goods, and provide a safe environment to protect the national product through a clear and comprehensive national customs policy.”  link

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

Tishwash: Iraq is preparing to export its oil via Türkiye, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia... Syria is on hold. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday plans for external oil connections with four countries: Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. It noted that work on the Kirkuk-Banias pipeline has been postponed due to the situation in Syria, as the ministry explained that the security situation in Syria prevents Iraq from taking actual steps to restore the pipeline.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry, Hisham Al-Alawi, said in a statement to the official agency, which was followed by the 964 network , that “work on the Kirkuk-Banias pipeline has been postponed due to the security situation in Syria, which prevents us from taking actual steps in this direction,” indicating that “Iraq has several alternatives for external oil connections, including through Turkey and Jordan to Egypt, in addition to Saudi Arabia.”

He added that “the Iraqi government has worked over the past years to rehabilitate the oil export pipeline through Turkey, and there are talks with Jordan and Egypt,” noting that “Iraq has adopted the project to link the oil fields through Haditha, and discussions were about implementing a project to complete this link through Jordan to Egypt, but work on that has not started.” link

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

LouNDebNC: Kremlin floats dollar return, broad US economic reset under Trump: Bloomberg

Russia may return to US dollar settlements and energy trade under Donald Trump, reversing de-dollarisation. The Kremlin memo outlines cooperation tied to a Ukraine peace deal, boosting US-Russia ties.

Russia is considering a shift back to the US dollar as part of a sweeping economic reset with the administration of Donald Trump, according to an internal Kremlin document reviewed by Bloomberg.

At the center of the proposal is Moscow’s potential return to the dollar-based settlement system, including for energy trade, a move that would mark a striking reversal of policy under President Vladimir Putin.

Since well before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin had been actively pursuing “de-dollarisation”, reducing reliance on the US currency to insulate the economy from Western financial pressure.

That strategy intensified after sweeping sanctions cut Russia off from large parts of the dollar system.

Moscow shifted trade toward alternative currencies, deepened financial links with China and promoted parallel payment mechanisms.

A renewed embrace of the greenback hence represents a fundamental rethink.

The memo, circulated among senior Russian officials this year, outlines seven areas of potential US-Russia cooperation tied to a future Ukraine peace deal.

These include joint oil and LNG projects, offshore drilling, access to critical minerals, preferential treatment for American companies re-entering Russia, and coordinated backing of fossil fuels over climate-focused policies favoured by Europe and China, as per the report.

The dollar provision, however, stands out. The document argues that rejoining the dollar system would expand Russia’s foreign exchange market and reduce balance-of-payments volatility.

For Washington, it suggests, such a shift would reinforce the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency.

The report cited western officials who remain sceptical that the Kremlin would ultimately jeopardise its strategic alignment with Beijing.

However, a dollar reset would hand the Trump camp a major geopolitical win.

Mot: Ya Knows -bout Raising the Wee Folks ... welllllll 

Mot: Now I Knows!!! - siggghhhhh!!!! 

Gold and Silver Price Plunge as US Financial Crisis Signals Flash Red

Gold and Silver Price Plunge as US Financial Crisis Signals Flash Red

Lockridge Okoth  Thu, February 12, 2026

Gold and silver tumbled sharply on Thursday, rattling markets already on edge amid surging US financial stress.

Spot gold dropped by more than 3% while silver plunged by more than 10%, reversing a portion of their recent rally.

Bad News for Gold and Silver Amid Record US Debt and Rising Bankruptcies

As of this writing, gold was trading for $4,956, down 3.97% while silver exchanged hands for $76.74 after losing 10.65% in the last 24 hours.

 The sudden sell-off has prompted analysts and investors to question whether a broader repricing of hard assets is unfolding.

The metals’ retreat comes amid intensifying economic stress. Over the past three weeks, 18 US companies with liabilities exceeding $50 million have filed for bankruptcy.

Notably, this is the fastest pace since the pandemic and approaches levels last seen during the 2009 financial crisis.

Meanwhile, the New York Fed said in a press release that household debt has reached a record $18.8 trillion, with mortgages, auto loans, credit card balances, and student loan balances all at historic highs.

Serious credit card delinquencies climbed to 12.7% in Q4 2025, the highest since 2011, with younger households under particular strain.

Such conditions typically emerge late in the economic cycle, often preceding policy interventions like rate cuts or liquidity injections.

Bitcoin has also remained under pressure, falling to the $65,000 range as the pioneer crypto lags both equities and traditional safe-haven assets over the past few months.

While digital assets often present as a hedge against macroeconomic uncertainty, recent trends suggest they are not yet playing that role effectively in this cycle.

Analysts Split on Metals Sell-Off as Fed Watchers Eye Rate Cuts and Asset Repricing

Analysts are at a crossroads, offering differing interpretations of the metals’ pullback. Some argue it reflects short-term volatility within a broader trend of hard-asset repricing.

To Continue and Read More:  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gold-silver-price-plunge-us-183512253.html

Taboola the same on the Bottom of Posts

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Friday Morning 2-13-26

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

RUSSIA SLASHES RATES TO 15.5% — MONETARY PIVOT SIGNALS STRESS BENEATH THE SURFACE

An unexpected rate cut reveals mounting pressure inside Russia’s economy as global monetary divergence deepens

 Overview

The Russian central bank unexpectedly cut its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 15.5%, marking a notable shift toward monetary easing. The move comes amid slowing domestic economic activity and persistent geopolitical pressures. The decision sharply contrasts with tighter or cautious stances in several advanced economies, highlighting widening divergence in global monetary policy.

Key Developments

1. Surprise Policy Shift
Russia reduced its key rate despite elevated inflation risks, signaling growing concern about economic deceleration and financial strain.

2. Divergence From Western Central Banks
While some major central banks remain cautious or restrictive, Russia’s pivot toward accommodation underscores structural fragmentation in global liquidity conditions.

3. Capital Flow Implications
Lower rates may weaken the ruble, alter sovereign bond attractiveness, and influence cross-border capital allocation — particularly among emerging markets balancing growth and currency stability.

4. Geopolitical Overlay
Sanctions, trade realignment, and shifting reserve strategies continue to reshape Russia’s economic landscape, forcing policy flexibility.

Why It Matters

• Diverging rate paths intensify volatility in FX and bond markets.

• Emerging markets may reassess reserve positioning and currency exposure.

• Global liquidity conditions become less synchronized, increasing systemic fragility.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

• Rate cuts in high-yield environments often pressure currency valuation.

• Reserve diversification trends may accelerate as confidence in policy stability varies across blocs.

• Volatility in commodity-linked and emerging currencies may increase.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1 – Monetary Transition Stress
The surprise cut illustrates how fragile monetary confidence has become in certain regions. Diverging policy trajectories amplify uncertainty and signal that synchronized global monetary order is weakening.

Pillar 2 – Paper vs. Physical Divide
As fiat systems respond to stress with rate adjustments, confidence increasingly migrates toward tangible stores of value. Monetary easing in geopolitically pressured economies can reinforce demand for physical collateral and alternative reserves.

Seeds of Wisdom Team View

Russia’s pivot underscores a broader truth: monetary cohesion is fading. As rate paths diverge and geopolitical lines harden, the world moves further toward a fragmented, multipolar liquidity environment.

This is not just a rate adjustment — it’s a signal that monetary fragmentation is accelerating across the global system.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Reuters — “Russian central bank cuts key rate to 15.5%, signals more to come”

• Bloomberg — “Russia Cuts Rates as Economy Slows Under Sanctions Pressure”

~~~~~~~~~~

BRICS Dollar Shift: Hong Kong Breaks Ranks With Crypto Licensing Push  

Hong Kong moves ahead with stablecoin licenses even as Beijing maintains its crypto ban—signaling deeper shifts in global monetary alignment.  

Overview

• Hong Kong will begin issuing stablecoin licenses in March 2026, marking a major step in regulated digital asset expansion.

• The move comes despite mainland China’s ongoing cryptocurrency ban, highlighting a strategic policy divergence.

• More than 30 firms have reportedly applied under the new Stablecoins Ordinance.

• The rollout aligns with broader BRICS de-dollarization momentum, as member nations seek alternatives to U.S. dollar settlement systems.

Key Developments

1.  Regulated Stablecoin Framework Takes Effect

Hong Kong regulators confirmed that a limited number of licenses will be granted in the first phase. The framework emphasizes strict reserve backing, anti-money laundering controls, and financial stability safeguards. Officials described the rollout as cautious and infrastructure-focused rather than speculative.

2.  Policy Divergence From Mainland China

While Beijing continues to enforce its 2021 crypto trading ban, Hong Kong is leveraging its semi-autonomous regulatory system to act as a controlled digital finance hub. This creates a dual-track strategy: mainland monetary conservatism paired with Hong Kong’s regulated experimentation.

3.  BRICS De-Dollarization Context Intensifies

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently reiterated BRICS’ push for alternative trade settlement mechanisms outside the U.S. dollar system. Hong Kong’s stablecoin framework could complement cross-border local currency trade by offering programmable liquidity infrastructure.

4.  Global Liquidity Networks Begin Shifting

Stablecoins—especially those backed by major currencies—are increasingly viewed as tools for cross-border trade efficiency. If aligned with BRICS trade corridors, Hong Kong could serve as a financial bridge between traditional banking systems and emerging digital settlement rails.

Why It Matters

This development reflects structural adjustments in global finance, not isolated crypto experimentation. As geopolitical blocs realign, nations are testing parallel payment systems that reduce dependency on dollar-based correspondent banking. Hong Kong’s timing signals preparation for a more fragmented and multipolar liquidity environment.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

Readers who hold foreign currencies anticipating value shifts during a Global Reset should watch this closely.

• The rise of non-dollar settlement infrastructure can influence currency demand flows.

• If BRICS trade expands in local currencies supported by digital rails, certain currencies may experience structural strengthening.

• A transition from dominance of one reserve currency to a diversified liquidity network could create volatility—and opportunity.

Foreign currency holders are positioning for monetary rebalancing, and digital settlement systems are becoming part of that equation.

Implications for the Global Reset

Pillar 1: Monetary Infrastructure Realignment
Hong Kong’s licensing framework represents a shift from currency dominance to network dominance. The focus is no longer solely on which currency leads—but on which payment rails facilitate global trade. This alters power structures within international finance.

Pillar 2: Controlled Digital Integration
Rather than uncontrolled crypto adoption, we are witnessing state-regulated digital asset integration into formal banking systems. This supports a gradual transition model for global monetary restructuring rather than sudden disruption

As BRICS accelerates de-dollarization, Hong Kong’s regulated crypto rollout could become the quiet bridge between traditional finance and a new digital currency order.  

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Watcher Guru — "BRICS Dollar Shift: Hong Kong Crypto Licenses Begin in March Despite Ban"

• Reuters — "Hong Kong Advances Stablecoin Licensing Framework Amid Mainland Ban"

~~~~~~~~~~

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 2-13-26

Gold And Silver Regain Their Luster As The Dollar Stabilizes

Money and Business   Economy News - Follow-up   Gold and silver prices rebounded on Friday, buoyed by buying after falling to their lowest levels in a week during the previous session when selling pressure increased following strong US jobs data that dampened expectations of an interest rate cut.

Gold rose 1 percent in spot trading to $4,966.83 an ounce after falling more than 3 percent on Thursday to its lowest level in nearly a week, below $5,000.

U.S. gold futures for April delivery gained 0.7 percent to $4,985.40 an ounce.

The price of silver rose 2.1 percent in spot trading to $76.76 an ounce after plunging 11 percent on Wednesday, according to Reuters.

The dollar was little changed against major currencies on Thursday, holding steady after mixed signals from the latest U.S. economic data. A stronger dollar makes dollar-denominated metals more expensive for holders of other currencies.

Data released on Wednesday showed that the U.S. labor market started 2026 stronger than expected, reinforcing speculation that interest rates will remain high for longer.

Nonfarm payrolls increased by 130,000 in January, following a downwardly revised increase of up to 48,000 jobs in December. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3 percent.

Data released on Thursday showed that initial claims for unemployment benefits fell to 227,000 in the week ending February 7.

Investors are now awaiting inflation data due later today for further clues about the Federal Reserve's (the US central bank) monetary policy path.

As for other precious metals, platinum rose 1.7 percent to $2,033.15 an ounce in spot trading, and palladium climbed 1.4 percent to $1,639.99.    https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65638

Iraq's Imports From Brazil Will Exceed $1.4 Billion In 2025.

Money and Business   Economy News – Baghdad   Iraq's imports from Brazil amounted to more than $1.4 billion in 2025, according to data from the United Nations International Trade Association (COMTRADE).

The data showed that Iraq imported goods from Brazil worth $1.490 billion in 2025, down from $1.900 billion in 2024, and up from $1.300 billion in 2023.

She indicated that the largest imported goods were sugar and its products, valued at $374 million, followed by meat, valued at $324 million, followed by oils, oilseeds and oil fruits, valued at $263 million, followed by live animals, valued at $171 million, followed by grains, valued at $167 million, in addition to iron products, metal goods and other goods.

https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65620

Reconstruction: Iraq's Housing Deficit Is 2.3 Million Units, And There Is No Authority Over Investment Projects After Handover.

Reconstruction and building    Economy News – Baghdad  The Ministry of Construction, Housing and Municipalities confirmed on Friday that government housing complexes are subject to strict technical procedures before final handover, while noting that it has no authority over investment projects after handover.

Ministry spokesman Nabil Al-Saffar told the official news agency that "the government housing complexes, which are supervised by the Housing Department, are being implemented according to approved technical and engineering specifications, with continuous supervision and monitoring by the resident engineer's offices to ensure proper implementation."

He added that "the initial handover processes take place after the work is completed, with an inspection of any deficiencies or defects, if any, to address them. After ensuring the durability and quality of the work, the final handover of the complex takes place, after which it is distributed to the eligible groups."

Al-Saffar explained that "the ministry does not have the authority or power to address any damages that may occur after receiving investment housing projects," indicating that "the responsibility for addressing these damages does not fall within the ministry's jurisdiction after the handover of those projects."

He pointed out that "many housing units are suffering and deteriorating, and this increases if periodic maintenance is not carried out," noting that "part of the problem is due to the absence of a comprehensive system for housing maintenance and management."

The ministry spokesperson explained that “the cancellation of Law No. 149 of 1980, which obligated housing cooperative societies to manage shared maintenance responsibilities, created a regulatory vacuum that has not yet been addressed, which has exacerbated the housing maintenance problem, and no alternative framework has been established, leaving property owners without clear guidance.”

He stressed that “building new housing units with high specifications that ensure their sustainability and ability to cope with climate changes contributes to reducing future maintenance costs,” noting that “most homes lack periodic maintenance of the structural framework, as well as weak monitoring and consideration of insulation, shading, ventilation, water and sewage systems, and others.”

Regarding the size of the housing need, Al-Saffar explained that “the current overcrowding rate of 29.1%, according to the socio-economic survey of the family in Iraq, and when compared with the results of the last population census, indicates that the current housing deficit amounts to 2.3 million housing units.”

He pointed out that "this decrease came after estimates indicated three million housing units or more, as a result of the government launching several initiatives that led to expanding the housing supply through public investments and the participation of the private sector."

He pointed out that “since 2024, the Ministry of Construction and Housing has approved the implementation of 21 residential city projects comprising a total of approximately 765,000 housing units,” adding that “there are additional projects under approval that will provide approximately 329,000 housing units, including real estate developer projects.”  https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65653

Japan Calls for US Technical Review of Dollar–Yen Amid Volatility

INA–Follow up   International press reports, citing informed officials, indicate that Japanese authorities have asked the United States to conduct technical reviews of the dollar-yen exchange rate following the recent sharp decline in the Japanese currency.

The Japanese news agency Jiji Press reported that any move by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is viewed in international financial circles as a potential prelude to direct intervention in the currency market aimed at curbing the yen’s depreciation.

Official Warnings

Japan’s top currency official, Atsuki Mimura, confirmed that Tokyo is maintaining “full vigilance” regarding exchange rate movements, warning of unstable currency fluctuations.

Speaking at a press conference, Mimura said, “Our policy has not changed, and we will continue to monitor the markets closely and with a high sense of responsibility,” emphasizing close and continuous communication with US authorities to safeguard market stability.

The Japanese yen recently posted a notable recovery to 153.02 per dollar after previously falling close to the 160 level — a threshold analysts describe as a “red line” that could trigger immediate policy intervention.

Political and Economic Implications

Experts believe that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s victory in the recent elections has supported the yen. Investors are betting on her administration’s ability to implement fiscal discipline, which could strengthen the national currency and reduce import costs that have fueled domestic inflation.

Monetary Policy Outlook

In a related development, Mizuho Financial Group predicted that the Bank of Japan may raise its key interest rate again as early as March, with expectations of three increases this year to combat persistent inflation and currency weakness.

Kenya Koshimizu, co-head of the Bank of Japan’s global markets division, noted that “nominal economic growth and the government’s clear policy strategy give the Bank of Japan the necessary flexibility to adjust monetary policy,” adding that the stability of 10-year government bond yields reflects an improvement in the country’s fiscal balance.

It is worth noting that the Bank of Japan raised its interest rate last December to 0.75%, its highest level in three decades, amid continued signals of readiness for further monetary tightening to ensure economic stability.

https://ina.iq/en/economy/45438-japan-calls-for-us-technical-review-of-dollaryen-amid-volatility.html