Iraq Economic News And Points To Ponder Wednesday Morning 5-21-25

Iraq Completes An Electronic Project To Monitor The Movement Of Petroleum Derivatives, Reducing Smuggling By 98%.
 
May 20, 2025  Baghdad/Iraq Observer follow-up   The Oil Products Distribution Company, affiliated with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, has completed a strategic project to electronically monitor tanker movements using a GPRS-based tracking system, as part of a plan to automate the distribution sector and reduce smuggling.
 
The company's media director, Rafid Sadiq, told the Iraq Observer news agency, "The system allows tankers to be tracked from the moment they load fuel until it is unloaded, and provides precise electronic records that can be accessed at any time." 

He noted that  the project has been fully completed, with more than 28,000 government and private tankers now connected to the system.
 
He emphasized that this step represents a qualitative shift in the monitoring and distribution of petroleum products.
 
For his part, the Director General of the Energy Police Directorate, Major General Dhafer Al-Hussaini, explained that
 
"the police, in cooperation with the Ministry of Oil, have begun implementing the new system by installing tracking devices on tankers and linking them to a central operations room."  He explained that
 
the system enables relevant authorities to
 
     determine the tanker's route, the
     validity of documents, and the
     loading and unloading location,
 
which has helped expedite audit procedures and prevent forgery.   Al-Husseini confirmed that
 
80% of the country's tankers have been fitted with the devices,
10% have completed their procedures and are awaiting their turn, while the
remaining percentage is still in the process of being completed. He emphasized that
 
"no tanker will be allowed to load fuel without the tracking device."  He pointed out that
 
this system has contributed to a 98% reduction in petroleum product smuggling,
and no breaches were recorded in oil pipelines during April.
 
In a related development, Al-Husseini announced that the
 
Energy Police seized 103 vehicles in April,
closed five garages and smuggling sites, and
arrested 103 suspects who were referred to judicial authorities.
 
The total amount of fuel seized and returned to the state amounted to 3 million liters,
with protection provided to seven oil experts.    
https://observeriraq.net/العراق-ينجز-مشروعًا-إلكترونيًا-لمراق/   

Iraq And Turkey Prioritize Development Road; New Company With Public Share Offering Considered
 
 Iraq    Jawad  Al-Samarraie     May 18, 2025     190     Mohammed Najjar, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Executive Director of the Iraq Development Fund
 
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Development Road project has become a top shared priority for Iraq and Turkey,
with innovative implementation models under consideration, Mohammed Al-Najjar, PM’s Investment Advisor and Head of the Iraq Fund for Development, announced Sunday (May 18, 2025).
 
This follows PM Mohammed Shia Al Sudani’s recent high-level visit to Turkey.  Al-Najjar revealed an
 
MoU has been signed between the Iraq Fund for Development and the
Turkish Wealth Fund to kickstart projects along the route.
 
He emphasized Turkish President Erdoğan’s focus on the Iraqi fund’s role.
 
Iraq is exploring a “completely new framework” for the project, targeting 24,000-28,000 km.
 
One approach involves establishing a

state-owned Iraqi company,operating on private sector principles,
to develop the road,
with part of its shares potentially offered for public subscription to citizens.
 
Another option being studied is creating an

independent government authority to manage legal, technical, and customs aspects.
 
These plans aim to
 
      reduce bureaucracy,
     speed up development, and
     solidify Iraq’s role as a key regional economic and transit hub.    
  
https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq/iraq-development-road-new-company-public-shares/  

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

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Wednesday Morning 5-21-25

Good morning Dinar Recaps,

SHARK TANK’S KEVIN O’LEARY SLAMS SENATOR WARREN OVER GENIUS ACT: “UN-AMERICAN AND DANGEROUS”

▪️Kevin O’Leary blasts Elizabeth Warren for politicizing the GENIUS Act, calling her stance “un-American.”
▪️Warren opposes the bill over Trump-linked stablecoin ties and potential corruption loopholes.
▪️Despite the clash, the bipartisan GENIUS Act advances in the Senate, aiming to regulate stablecoins in the U.S.

Shark Tank investor and Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary is firing back at Senator Elizabeth Warren over her opposition to the GENIUS Act – a bipartisan bill designed to regulate stablecoins in the United States.

O’Leary didn’t hold back, calling Warren’s stance “dangerous” and “un-American,” accusing her of blocking financial innovation by turning the bill into a political weapon against Donald Trump.

O’Leary: Warren Is Politicizing a Vital Crypto Bill

As crypto regulation becomes a bigger part of U.S. policy, O’Leary argues that Warren is distracting from the GENIUS Act’s core purpose. He says the bill is about modernizing the American financial system through properly regulated stablecoins – not about Trump or meme coins.

In a post on X, O’Leary stressed that the bill has nothing to do with Trump and warned that dragging politics into the conversation could hurt the country’s ability to lead in global finance.

According to him, the GENIUS Act is a step toward strengthening the U.S. dollar’s role in digital payments around the world. He believes Warren’s opposition risks slowing innovation and letting countries like China pull ahead in the race for financial dominance.

“This is about establishing the U.S. dollar as the default currency for global price discovery,”
O’Leary said, dismissing Warren’s claims as “completely deranged.”

Warren’s Opposition to the GENIUS Act

Senator Warren opposes the bill, citing its ties to a $2 billion MGX-Binance deal involving USD1, which is a Trump-linked stablecoin.

She cautions that exemptions for senior officials, including the president, could give birth to corruption, claiming the bill risks “greenlighting the grift.”

Warren argues that the bill could allow Trump to regulate his own financial product, undermining transparency and public trust.

GENIUS Act Moves Forward with Bipartisan Support

Despite Warren’s strong pushback, the GENIUS Act recently passed a key Senate hurdle. Several Democrats who were initially skeptical have now supported a revised version of the bill.

The bipartisan support signals growing momentum for establishing clear regulations for stablecoins – something many in the industry believe is essential for the future of digital finance in the U.S.

You can best believe that the debate is not over.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Coinpedia

~~~~~~~~~

SINGAPORE DOLLAR STABLECOIN XSGD DEBUTS ON XRP LEDGER IN RIPPLE-POWERED PAYMENTS PUSH

StraitsX has launched its MAS-regulated stablecoin XSGD on the XRP Ledger to enable faster, low-cost cross-border payments, as part of a broader multi-chain expansion strategy.

The move marks the first phase of a larger partnership with Ripple aimed at building institutional-grade digital infrastructure focused on tokenisation and real-time financial services.

StraitsX Brings Regulated XSGD to XRP Ledger

Payment infrastructure firm StraitsX has added its Singapore dollar-pegged stablecoin, XSGD, to the XRP Ledger (XRPL) in an attempt to extend its regulated token into a faster, low-cost cross-border payment system.

The expansion was announced Monday and is part of the company’s multi-chain strategy to meet growing demand from fintechs, financial platforms, and digital asset developers seeking programmable, real-time transaction tools across borders, according to the press release.

StraitsX framed this as the “first phase” of a wider collaboration with Ripple focused on tokenisation. While details remain vague, the rationale is to build a regulated, institutional-grade digital infrastructure that goes beyond payments.

A Glimpse Into the Future of Finance

The availability of XSGD on the XRP Ledger is more than a deployment. It’s a marker of where financial infrastructure is heading. As digital money becomes embedded in the global economy, regulated stablecoins like XSGD will serve as the foundation for borderless, real-time, and compliant-ready financial services.

Singapore’s Web3 Hub is Expanding

XSGD was issued by StraitsX in 2020, fully backed 1:1 by reserves held with DBS Bank and Standard Chartered. The company is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as a Major Payment Institution, placing XSGD among the few stablecoins with both regulatory oversight and multi-chain deployment.

XSGD has over 8 billion on-chain transactions already, and a circulating supply above 13.6 million tokens. The stablecoin is live on Ethereum, Polygon, Hedera, Zilliqa, Arbitrum, and Avalanche.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Crypto News

~~~~~~~~~

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“Tidbits From TNT” Wednesday Morning 5-21-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  The Ministry of Finance is discussing with the World Bank the establishment of a permanent office in Iraq.

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami received a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to discuss joint cooperation, a number of economic and investment issues, and the establishment of a permanent office in Iraq.

 The Ministry of Finance stated in a statement received by Al-Jabal that "the meeting focused on expanding the bank's role in Iraq during the next phase, particularly in the areas of supporting the private sector, financing small and medium-sized enterprises, and providing technical assistance to government agencies, in line with the priorities of the government program to improve the business environment and develop infrastructure."

According to the statement, the two sides discussed "the progress made in the negotiations on the Host Country Agreement, which aims to enable the Bank to establish a permanent office in Iraq, facilitate its mission of providing technical and advisory support, and expand its network of cooperation with local institutions."

 Potential areas of cooperation were also reviewed, including renewable energy, transportation, and modernizing the financial sector, which would contribute to attracting investments and stimulating economic growth.  link

IWFG1818:  Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Stabilization of Iraq

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/05/14/2025-08786/continuation-of-the-national-emergency-with-respect-to-the-stabilization-of-iraq#:~:text=For%20this%20reason%2C%20the%20national,declared%20in%20Executive%20Order%2013303.

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

Tishwash:  Oil Minister: The Iraqi Oil Services Center will transfer well revenues to the state treasury.

 Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul-Ghani Al-Sawad, explained today, Tuesday (May 20, 2025), that the establishment of the Iraqi Center for Oil Services will transfer financial revenues from oil extraction and well drilling to the state treasury instead of going to foreign companies.

Al-Sawad said in a statement to Baghdad Today, "The well-drilling operations require a number of supporting operations that will be under the control of the center, which will save money for the state treasury."

He pointed out that "the center has actually proceeded with updating specialized equipment in a number of oil companies, particularly the Basra Oil Company," explaining that "Basra Oil Company purchased some equipment years ago, and after its arrival in Iraq, the selling companies refused to deliver the software to Iraq. However, the company preserved this equipment, and it has now been updated, and it will enter service as important equipment in the oil sector."

Last Friday, the Oil Minister inaugurated the Iraqi Oil Services Center in Basra Governorate, a move he described as significant in achieving self-sufficiency in vital sectors. This move aligns with the government's directives and decisions within the government program, as well as creating national partnerships with the private sector and relevant entities in the oil industry. link

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

Tishwash:  PM Barzani, US Congressman discuss Erbil-Washington ties

On Wednesday, Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani discussed strengthening Kurdistan-US ties with Congressman Abe Hamadeh in Washington.

The meeting followed the signing of two energy agreements during Barzani’s visit, aimed at strengthening infrastructure and attracting foreign capital to the Kurdistan Region.

Energy remains a strategic sector for the Region, which continues to pursue independent development amid ongoing disputes with Baghdad over oil revenues and export authority.

Hamadeh, a US lawmaker of Kurdish descent, called the agreements a “positive development” for Iraq’s economy and stressed the importance of sustained engagement between Washington and Erbil.

Barzani then congratulated Hamadeh on his election to Congress, highlighting his support for Kurdish interests in US policymaking.

The Kurdistan Region has previously partnered with the United States in counterterrorism and regional stability initiatives.  link

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

Tishwash:  The Minister of Finance discusses with the Iraqi Economic Council mechanisms to enhance investment opportunities.

Minister of Finance Taif Sami Mohammed received the head of the Iraqi Economic Council and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they discussed prospects for cooperation between the two sides, focusing on enhancing investment opportunities and developing economic partnerships.

The Minister stressed, according to a statement by the ministry, the keenness to open effective channels of communication with economic entities and support initiatives aimed at stimulating the investment environment, providing job opportunities, and driving the wheel of development.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Economic Council called on the Ministry of Finance to support the Economic Investment Conference scheduled to be held in early June, through coordination and providing the necessary facilities for the success of its work.

The two sides stressed the importance of the conference contributing to highlighting investment opportunities in various sectors and attracting capital.

The Council delegation also stressed the importance of the ministry's participation in preparing workshops and discussions related to financial reform and developing the investment environment, as it is a pivotal body in formulating economic policies.  link

Mot:   Dangerous game!  

Mot:  In Case Youv'e Been Wondering!!!!! 

Are we Heading into a Systemic Meltdown?

Are we Heading into a Systemic Meltdown?

Kitco News:  5-21-2025

Gold demand just wrapped up its strongest first quarter since 2016, driven by a powerful confluence of factors that suggest investors are hedging against economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability, and the potential erosion of faith in traditional financial systems.

According to the World Gold Council’s latest Gold Demand Trends report, a surge in ETF inflows, relentless central bank buying, and booming retail demand, particularly in Asia, propelled the precious metal even as prices hovered near record highs.

In a recent interview with Kitco News, Joseph Cavatoni, Senior Market Strategist at the World Gold Council, delved into the report’s key findings and their implications. The conversation explored potential drivers ranging from inflation hedging and de-dollarization to growing concerns about systemic market stress.

One of the most significant developments in Q1 was the dramatic reversal in ETF flows. After a period of outflows, gold-backed ETFs saw a remarkable surge in demand, accumulating a net 226 tons – the largest inflow since 2022.

This shift indicates a renewed appetite for physical gold as a safe-haven asset, potentially signaling investor unease amidst ongoing economic volatility.

Central banks continued their buying spree, adding significant quantities of gold to their reserves. China and Poland were particularly active, reflecting a broader trend of countries diversifying their holdings away from traditional reserve currencies.

 This persistent demand from central banks provides a solid foundation for gold prices and highlights the metal’s enduring role as a store of value in a turbulent global landscape.

The robust demand for gold across various sectors suggests investors are increasingly concerned about the potential for fiscal instability and persistent inflation. Gold’s reputation as a hedge against inflation and a safe haven during economic downturns is clearly driving its popularity, as individuals and institutions alike seek to protect their wealth against eroding purchasing power.

Interestingly, the European Central Bank (ECB) recently identified gold as a potential systemic risk, warning of a potential liquidity crisis related to gold-backed assets.

 While seemingly contradictory, this warning could be interpreted as a signal that gold’s growing significance in the global financial system is causing concern among regulators.

The conversation also touched upon the potential impact of U.S. tax reform on institutional gold demand. A more favorable tax environment could further incentivize institutional investors to allocate capital to gold, potentially amplifying the existing demand trends.

The surge in retail demand for gold is evident in unusual market behavior. Even retailers like Costco have reportedly limited gold sales, indicating the intensity of consumer interest in acquiring physical gold. This widespread participation underscores the perception that gold offers a tangible and reliable store of value in a world facing increasing uncertainty.

With all these factors converging to fuel gold demand, the question on everyone’s mind is: how high can gold prices go? While predicting future prices is inherently uncertain, some analysts suggest that the current trajectory could pave the way for gold reaching unprecedented levels, with some even mentioning a potential target of $4,000 per ounce.

The strong performance of gold in Q1 2024 paints a compelling picture of its enduring relevance in the modern financial landscape.

Fueled by a confluence of factors including economic anxieties, geopolitical tensions, and central bank accumulation, gold’s appeal as a safe-haven asset appears to be strengthening. While challenges and volatility are inevitable, the underlying demand drivers suggest that gold will continue to play a crucial role in portfolios seeking diversification and protection in an increasingly uncertain world.

https://youtu.be/kHx35QD0SJo

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Tuesday Evening 5-20-25

Good Evening Dinar Recaps,

Peirce Pushes Back: SEC’s Approach ‘Must Be Corrected’

Unlike Gensler, Peirce recognized the potential of crypto early on, going as far as proposing a safe harbor approach to regulating decentralized assets back in early 2020.

She refined her proposal in 2021 and discussed it once again on Monday. A safe harbor framework would involve acknowledging that some crypto assets may start out as securities but may no longer be classified as such over a period of time.

For instance, tokens issued prior to a network launch for the purpose of funding development of the said network would initially be deemed securities but wouldn’t be subject to securities laws during a pre-determined grace period.

Once the platform is fully functional and its maintenance becomes sufficiently decentralized—and assuming this happens prior to the expiration of the grace period—the network’s token ceases to be a security and can trade freely in secondary markets.

But Peirce’s ideas were stymied by Gensler’s regulation-by-enforcement method, which decimated the industry and turned the SEC into crypto’s primary adversary. And on Monday, she stood in defiance of the former chairman, who once quipped, “Of the nearly 10,000 tokens in the crypto market, I believe the vast majority are securities,” at the 2022 installment of SEC Speaks.

With the newly appointed Chairman Paul Atkins in her corner, Peirce recounted the story of Samuel Whittemore, a hero of the eighteenth-century American Revolution, before tying it to her own revolutionary perspective: unlike Gensler, she believes most crypto assets are not securities.

“The most popular topic of discussion by far in written input and industry meetings has been security status,” Peirce explained. “My short answer to the question, ‘Are crypto assets securities,’ is that most currently existing crypto assets in the market are not.”

She went on to discuss many nuanced legal points, stressing the importance of economic realities and explaining that “the line demarcating transactions covered by the securities laws from those that are not, is still hazy.” She pledged that the SEC will continue its new journey of providing regulatory clarity, instead of wielding the stick of regulation by enforcement.

But by far, the most consequential of her statements was her take on the security status of crypto assets.

The commissioner then ended her speech with a final reference to Whittemore:

“Two hundred and fifty years after Samuel Whittemore made his stand behind the stone wall, I stand here today grateful for the freedom for which he fought,” Peirce said. “I hope that all of us can look up from the minutiae of the securities laws for a moment to celebrate a quarter of a millennium’s fight for freedom.”

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Bitcoin News

~~~~~~~~~

U.S. LEADS THE WORLD IN BITCOIN OWNERSHIP, NEW REPORT SHOWS

The U.S. leads global Bitcoin ownership and mining, with strong political backing and growing adoption across diverse demographics.

A new report from River reveals that the United States dominates Bitcoin ownership globally, holding about 40% of all available Bitcoin. With 14.3% of its population owning Bitcoin, the U.S. outpaces Europe, Oceania, and Asia combined.

Corporate America also leads in Bitcoin holdings. Thirty-two U.S. public companies, with a combined market cap of $1.26 trillion, hold Bitcoin as a treasury asset. These firms account for 94.8% of all Bitcoin owned by publicly traded companies worldwide. Major holders include:

• Strategy with 569,000 BTC

• U.S. mining companies with 96,000 BTC

• Others with 68,000 BTC

Totaling 733,000 BTC in the U.S., compared to 40,000 BTC held elsewhere.

The U.S. has also emerged as the global leader in Bitcoin mining since China’s ban on Bitcoin mining in 2021. It is now responsible for 38% of all new Bitcoin mined since then.

The U.S. attracts miners due to:

• Stable regulatory environment

• Access to deep and liquid capital markets

• Abundant energy resources

These advantages have helped the U.S. increase its share of the global Bitcoin mining hashrate by over 500% since 2020, solidifying its position as the center of the industry.

Bitcoin is also emerging as America’s preferred reserve asset, overtaking gold.
Over 49.6 million Americans are in favor of holding Bitcoin, compared to 36.7 million who still prefer gold.

The U.S. government’s Bitcoin advantage is now greater than that of gold, where the U.S. accounts for only 29.9% of the world’s central bank gold reserves.

“Because there is a fixed supply of BTC, there is a strategic advantage to being among the first nations to create a strategic bitcoin reserve,”
said the White House on March 7, 2025.

Political support for Bitcoin is surging in the U.S.
Currently:

• 59% of U.S. Senators

• 66% of House Representatives

Openly support pro-Bitcoin policies, signaling a significant shift in political sentiment and greater acceptance of digital assets as a key part of America’s economic future.

The study also reveals:

• Bitcoin ownership is highest among American males aged 31–35 and 41–45

• Ownership rates within these groups range from 3% to 41%

• Politically, individuals identifying as “very liberal” or “neutral” are more likely to own Bitcoin

• However, conservatives still make up a significant portion of holders

@ Newshounds News™
🔗 Source:   Bitcoin Magazine

~~~~~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

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Moody’s Stated The Obvious But Trump Just Might Have Bought America More Time

Moody’s Stated The Obvious. But Trump Just Might Have Bought America More Time

Notes From the Field BY James Hickman (Simon Black)  May 20, 2025

In the year 1980, a young computer science grad student from the University of Washington named Burrell “Bud” Tribble accepted a job at a hot tech startup you might have heard of: it’s called Apple.

 Tribble went to work directly for Steve Jobs on Apple’s most ambitious project at the time-- the Macintosh. And he quickly learned, along with the rest of the Macintosh team, that Jobs’ management style was relentless, maniacal, and irrational... bordering on insane.

Steve Jobs famously dismissed his engineers’ doubts about whether they’d even be able to design such an audacious product. And he certainly didn’t care about minor inconveniences like the laws of physics or what was technologically achievable at the time. To Jobs, nothing was impossible. Full stop.

 Tribble later enshrined this attitude as the “Steve Jobs Reality Distortion Field,” where a sort of techno-evangelism and intellectual swagger combined with unbridled optimism to bend the truth to whatever Jobs wanted to believe… or what he wanted everyone else to believe.

 And most people were captivated by it; in fact, it was this Reality Distortion Field that transformed Apple’s customers into almost cult-like followers who camp out for days in advance of a new product launch.

 It also had its drawbacks; in fact, the same Reality Distortion Field caused Jobs to almost bankrupt his company NeXT simply so that its desktop computer would be a perfect cube.

 I thought about this recently because the Reality Distortion Field it’s the most appropriate way to characterize America’s fiscal condition.

 The US national debt is now $36.2 trillion-- a number which will skyrocket in a few months after Congress increases the debt ceiling. If you count “off-balance sheet” debts, which include unfunded amounts owed to future Social Security and Medicare recipients, total liabilities are around $100 trillion.

And these are numbers grow worse at an alarming rate.

 Federal spending has already reached a point where ALL government tax revenue is spent just on mandatory entitlements plus interest on the debt.

In other words, 100% of discretionary spending, which includes the military, national parks, and homeland security, must be financed with more debt.

 Interest on that national debt is now more than military spending; and the annual interest bill is also growing very rapidly-- it will exceed $1 trillion this year, more than 20% of tax revenue.

 If that weren’t bad enough, Social Security’s primary trust fund is set to run out of money in 7-8 years, resulting in an immediate cut to benefits on the order of about 20% to 25%. Bailing out the program will require trillions of dollars just as a down payment.

Yet just like Jobs routinely dismissed the extreme challenges of his projects, many of the major players in global finance dismiss the US government’s horrific fiscal condition.

They look at the gruesome, unholy numbers and conclude, “Everything’s going to be fine, there’s no problem here.”  It’s reality distortion at its finest.

 The media. Big Wall Street banks. Politicians. Seemingly everyone has a vested interest in rejecting any concern over the US government finances.

 Ratings agencies have also been under the spell of America’s Reality Distortion Field; these are the guys who are tasked with providing an honest assessment of a government’s creditworthiness. Yet for decades they insisted that America should still have the highest, pristine, AAA rating.

 S&P was the first to break the spell more than 10 years ago, followed by Fitch. This past Friday, the last of the ‘Big 3 agencies’, Moody’s, broke the spell and exited the Reality Distortion Field.

All three have now downgraded America’s sovereign credit rating.

 Do these agencies really matter, and have their downgrades really changed anything?

 Not really. In theory, a lower rating means that the US government should have to pay a higher interest rate when it borrows money from the bond market. But sovereign ratings are pretty meaningless for wealthy countries.

Japan has a lower credit rating than the US, yet it still enjoys near-zero interest rates. Australia has a higher rating, yet the bond market demands much higher interest rates on Australian government bonds.

 So ultimately, the Moody’s downgrade is really just a symbol of more and more major financial players escaping the Reality Distortion Field.

 Another big group that’s starting to break the spell is foreign governments and central banks, who, for decades, have entrusted trillions of dollars of their savings to the belief of America’s endless power.

 Yet from Joe Biden shaking hands with thin air to Liberation Day chaos to naval fighter jets falling into the ocean, the past few years have proven to them that America is no longer the trusted and reliable partner it once was.

This is why foreign governments and central banks started to diversify rather aggressively away from the US dollar beginning in 2023-2024. And this is a really big deal considering that foreign institutions own about HALF of all US marketable, fixed rate government debt.

Losing foreign demand for US dollars and US government bonds would require the Fed to print trillions of dollars make up the difference… which would almost certainly result in substantial inflation in the US.

And that leads me to the most important story from last week; it wasn’t Moody’s downgrade, which was simply stating the obvious. It was the President’s trip to the Middle East.

Donald Trump is very much like Steve Jobs in his reality distortion; he seems to be ignoring the obvious, looming debt crisis based on a belief that America will always be OK.

 Frankly, this approach is dangerous, because it encourages complacency, inaction, and inertia in Congress… hence the House’s push for a “Big Beautiful” bill which carries a $2 trillion annual budget deficit.

 I would be much better for the country if the President were preaching fiscal responsibility and pushing Congress to cut spending. This isn’t happening.

 Yet on the bright side, POTUS did manage to secure a substantial commitment from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

 I’m not talking about the reported trillions of dollars of investment, but rather the fact that relationships with those oil-producing nations have been cemented.

 This is critical; as I wrote weeks ago, Saudi Arabia is the ironic linchpin that may secure the US dollar’s status as the global reserve currency.

 Back in the 1970s when Richard Nixon took the US dollar off the gold standard, Saudi Arabia made a decision to continue its currency peg with the dollar.

 Consequently, every other country on the planet that wanted to buy oil from Saudi Arabia (i.e. pretty much everyone) still needed to hold US dollars.

 Saudi Arabia’s decision in the 1970s ensured that foreign demand for US dollars and US government bonds would continue.

 Similarly, after what happened last week in Riyadh, it seems pretty clear that Saudi Arabia is making the same decision and will stick with the United States.

 And that might just have bought America a little bit more time to get its act together. Hopefully it will be time well spent.

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

https://www.schiffsovereign.com/trends/moodys-stated-the-obvious-but-trump-just-might-have-bought-america-more-time-152819/?inf_contact_key=a5287f939c757a83374cceba1d931a589042a6429cc6d781f779b0d187b52794

FRANK26….5-20-25…….13303

KTFA

Tuesday Night Conference Call

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

FRANK26….5-20-25…….13303

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

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

What Frank’s suit color’s mean…. FRANKS SUIT COLORS FOR CC'S..... WHITE = NEW INFO…. SILVER = INTEL FROZEN…. RED= HIGH ALERT… PURPLE=GUEST WITH US…. BLUE = AIR FORCE…. BLACK = GROUND/FF’S…. GREEN= MR OR FAB 4 ... GOLD = CHANGE… ORANGE=IMPLEMENTATION

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

ECB Sounds Alarm on Gold Surge, Fears will Trigger Financial Collapse

ECB Sounds Alarm on Gold Surge, Fears will Trigger Financial Collapse

Daniela Cambone:  5-19-2025

The European Central Bank’s (ECB) concerns surrounding gold might stem from a deeper anxiety than just market volatility. According to Frank Holmes, CEO and Chief Investment Officer at U.S. Global Investors, the ECB’s warnings about the precious metal are fueled by a fear of losing control, a sentiment he argues mirrors their apprehension towards Bitcoin.

In a recent interview with Daniela Cambone on ITM Trading, Holmes posited that both gold and Bitcoin represent a threat to centralized monetary authority.

He explained that these assets, characterized by their decentralized nature and portability, offer individuals a means of storing and transferring wealth outside the direct influence of governments and central banks. This independence, Holmes believes, is what truly unnerves institutions like the ECB.

“The ECB is afraid of gold as much as they are afraid of Bitcoin,” Holmes stated emphatically. He suggests that the ECB’s criticisms of gold are an attempt to discredit its value and influence, ultimately protecting their own position of power.

However, Holmes challenges the narrative of gold as a source of instability. Instead, he argues that the price of gold acts as a valuable indicator of the overall health and stability of the global financial system. In his view, gold doesn’t cause problems, but rather reflects them.

“They’re trying to paint the picture that gold is possibly broken,” Holmes explained. “But what it’s really showing… is that the financial system is broken and gold’s just sounding that alarm.”

This perspective suggests that rising gold prices are not a sign of gold’s inherent volatility, but rather a symptom of underlying issues within the global economy, such as inflation, currency devaluation, and geopolitical uncertainty.

In times of crisis, investors often flock to gold as a safe-haven asset, driving its price higher and highlighting the perceived weaknesses of traditional financial systems.

Looking towards the future, Holmes offers a bold prediction: global monetary trends could propel gold to as high as $6,000 in the coming years.

While this figure may seem ambitious, it reflects Holmes’ belief that the factors driving demand for gold – distrust in central banks, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical risks – are unlikely to abate anytime soon.

Ultimately, Holmes’ perspective encourages a critical examination of the motivations behind central bank pronouncements on gold. Rather than dismissing gold as a relic of the past, he argues it should be viewed as a vital indicator of the health of the financial system and a potential hedge against the uncertainties that lie ahead.

Whether or not his $6,000 prediction materializes, the underlying message remains: the battle for financial control is intensifying, and gold is playing a crucial role in the narrative.

https://youtu.be/yxX6qOJ8HCM

Iraq Economic News And Points To Ponder Tuesday Afternoon 5-20-25

The Minister Of Finance Discusses With The Iraqi Economic Council Mechanisms To Enhance Investment Opportunities

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | EconomicNumber of readings: 46   Baghdad / NINA / Minister of Finance Taif Sami Mohammed received the head of the Iraqi Economic Council and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they discussed prospects for cooperation between the two sides, focusing on enhancing investment opportunities and developing economic partnerships.

The Minister stressed, according to a statement by the ministry, the keenness to open effective channels of communication with economic entities and support initiatives aimed at stimulating the investment environment, providing job opportunities, and driving the wheel of development.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Economic Council called on the Ministry of Finance to support the Economic Investment Conference scheduled to be held in early June, through coordination and providing the necessary facilities for the success of its work.

The two sides stressed the importance of the conference contributing to highlighting investment opportunities in various sectors and attracting capital.

The Council delegation also stressed the importance of the ministry's participation in preparing workshops and discussions related to financial reform and developing the investment environment, as it is a pivotal body in formulating economic policies. /End https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1228117

Investment Authority: Large Companies Are Keen To Enter Iraq

Chairman of the National Investment Commission, Haider Makiya  Money and Business  Economy News – Baghdad   The National Investment Commission confirmed on Tuesday that there is significant interest from major companies in entering Iraq.

Chairman of the National Investment Commission, Haider Makiya, said in a statement reported by the official news agency and seen by Al-Eqtisad News, that "Iraq has witnessed a significant influx of foreign investments over the past two years, exceeding $64 billion."

He explained that "this figure reflects the success of the investment planning that was completed in 2023, and we began to reap its fruits in 2024 and 2025," noting that "most of these investments belong to major companies that operate directly within Iraq."

He added that "the Prime Minister clearly indicated in the House of Representatives the size of these investments, which exceeds $60 to $63 billion."  https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=55652

Fluctuations In The Dollar Exchange Rate In Baghdad

Economy | 05/20/2025   Mawazine News - Baghdad -  The US dollar exchange rate remained volatile against the Iraqi dinar on Tuesday, with the closing of trading on the Al-Kifah Stock Exchange.

The selling price was 143,500 dinars for $100, while the buying price was 141,500 dinars for $100.
Amid the discrepancy between the official and parallel rates, most local markets are experiencing a state of stagnation due to their impact on the US dollar.  https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=261706

Iraq Praises NATO's Training And Advisory Role

Local | 05/20/2025    Mawazine News – Baghdad  - Deputy Commander of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Qais Al-Mohammadawi, praised today, Tuesday, the significant role of the NATO mission in Iraq.

The Joint Operations Command said in a statement received by Mawazine News: "Deputy Commander of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Qais Al-Mohammadawi, received today at the command headquarters, the Commander of the NATO Mission in Iraq, Major General Christoph Hintery, on the occasion of his assumption of his position, succeeding Lieutenant General Lukas Schweizer, whose duties within this mission have ended."

According to the statement, Al-Mohammadawi praised "the role of the former NATO mission commander and what he provided during his presence in Iraq, and his keenness to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation, wishing him success in his new work.

The Deputy Commander of Joint Operations also congratulated the new NATO mission commander on assuming his duties, and on completing his predecessor's path in supporting joint work between Iraq and the NATO mission."

He praised the "significant role of the NATO mission in Iraq," stressing the "importance of developing bilateral relations to serve common interests and enhance the effectiveness of mutual action, particularly in the areas of training, capacity building, developing capabilities, and providing advice to the Iraqi security forces, in accordance with the mission's primary mission."
https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=261699

A Slight Increase In Gold Prices In Local Markets

Economy |  05/20/2025   Mawazine News – Baghdad  Gold prices witnessed a significant increase in local markets on Tuesday.   Gold prices were as follows: 21-carat mithqal: 655,000 dinars      18-carat mithqal: 560,000 dinars
22-carat mithqal: 686,000 dinars      24-carat mithqal: 748,000 dinars https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=261698

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

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Tuesday Afternoon 5-20-25

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

JP MORGAN TO ENABLE CLIENTS TO BUY CRYPTO WITHOUT PROVIDING CUSTODY SERVICES

JPMorgan Chase customers will soon be able to purchase cryptocurrencies through the bank, though the institution won’t hold the digital assets itself, according to an announcement from CEO Jamie Dimon. The move represents a significant shift for the banking giant, whose chief executive has previously been openly skeptical about cryptocurrencies.

“We are going to allow you to buy it,” Dimon said at the bank’s annual investor day on Monday. “We’re not going to custody it. We’re going to put it in statements for clients,” according to CNBC.

The announcement marks an evolution in Dimon’s stance, who famously described Bitcoin as “a hyped up fraud, a pet rock” in 2023. Despite his personal reservations, Dimon acknowledged client demand, stating:

“I don’t think you should smoke, but I defend your right to smoke. I defend your right to buy bitcoin.”

Financial institutions increasingly embracing crypto

JP Morgan’s decision follows similar moves by competitors in the financial sector.
Goldman Sachs has already ventured into cryptocurrency offerings, while Morgan Stanley recently announced plans to provide crypto services, with its subsidiary E-TRADE also exploring cryptocurrency offerings.

The brokerage sector has shown interest as well, with Schwab backing institutional crypto trading venue EDX Markets and planning to offer crypto to investors pending regulatory changes. Meanwhile, Robinhood continues to generate significant profits from cryptocurrency trading.

JP Morgan’s decision not to provide custody services raises questions about who will safeguard clients’ digital assets. Until recently, U.S. banks were unable to provide crypto custody due to SAB 121 restrictions.

Despite being a world leader in blockchain development, JP Morgan’s choice to sidestep custody is notable given that other banks such as BNY and Standard Chartered view it as an opportunity.

Custody: Who Will Hold the Keys?

The bank will likely select a custody partner. It will need to choose between:

• Established crypto startups like Coinbase, Anchorage Digital, Paxos, BitGo, or Ripple Custody

• Institutional-founded startups such as Zodia Custody and Komainu (though these lack a strong U.S. footprint)

• Major banks such as BNY

The risk of providing custody is highlighted by the recent losses by Coinbase customers following data theft by customer support operatives that was subsequently used for social engineering.

While crypto startups bring specialized experience, traditional financial institutions like BNY offer substantially larger security budgets. However, competitive dynamics complicate matters, as BNY remains a direct JP Morgan competitor.

@ Newshounds News™
🔗  Source:   Ledger Insights

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BRICS: THE BIGGEST REASON INDIA MAY EVENTUALLY LEAVE THE ALLIANCE

It has been a rather complicated few months for the leading collective of the Global South. Amid ongoing tensions for the BRICS bloc and its members, one key reason is emerging that could lead India to eventually leave the economic alliance entirely.

The country has seen no shortage of reasons to potentially see increased tensions with the group. Its conflict with China has been well documented, although it has been resolved to this point. However, in its place is a new issue that is beginning to fracture its relationship with the group.

BRICS Facing Issue that Could Eventually See India Quit the Collective

The start of the year saw US President Donald Trump once again return to the White House. That has brought with it increased geopolitical tensions, as his protectionist economic policy has threatened several global relationships.

Moreover, it is worse for the BRICS bloc, as he entered the Oval Office and threatened 150% tariffs on the economic alliance.

The reason for his confrontational relationship with the bloc remains its de-dollarization efforts. For the last several years, the bloc has sought to lessen its reliance on the greenback in a major way. Even considering the creation of its own trade currency, the plan flies in the face of Trump’s efforts to ensure the dollar's status.

In that pursuit, the BRICS bloc may have found the one way that India could eventually leave the alliance.

@ Newshounds News™
🔗  Source:  Watcher Guru

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Banks Are Hiding This: This Isn’t a Recession… It’s a Reset I Francis Hunt

Banks Are Hiding This: This Isn’t a Recession… It’s a Reset I Francis Hunt

Soar financially:  5-19-2025

From the floor of the German Gold Show in Frankfurt, Kai Hoffmann sits down with Francis Hunt (The Market Sniper) to break down what could be the biggest financial crisis of our lifetime.

 The U.S. debt system is collapsing. Central banks are cornered. Commercial real estate is imploding. And the Fed? It’s trapped with no real options left.

Meanwhile, Ray Dalio is buying gold, Buffett is backing off America, and crypto is rising again. Are we witnessing the end of U.S. financial dominance?

00:00 Leverage Collapse & Global Depression

01:00 Trump in Saudi Arabia — New Trade Order?

03:00 Embargo, Oil Surges & Consumption Crash

05:00 Inflation Illusions & Retail Recession

08:00 Fed Can’t Cut — They’re Trapped

10:00 No One’s Talking About Bank Health

 12:00 Trading Desks, Elites & Insider Profits

14:00 Recession Forecasts: Why the Banks Are Lying

16:00 America’s Lost Trust — Market Reactions Coming

18:00 Housing, Debt & Corporate Defaults

20:00 Gold, Crypto, & Swiss Bonds

24:00 Buffett’s Exit, Dalio’s Gold Bet

26:00 Final Warning: Reserve Asset Collapse

 28:00 What Happens When No One Buys Debt?

32:00 Massive Liquidity Gaps — Is This the End?

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