Mark Zuckerberg Makes a Strong Case for Real Assets

Mark Zuckerberg Makes a Strong Case for Real Assets

Notes From the Field By James Hickman (Simon Black / Sovereign Man)  May 7, 2026

Mark Zuckerberg had his hands full last week trying to calm the storm at his company.

In an employee conference call, he had to quell a great deal of panic over the company's performance.

Growth at Facebook/Meta is slowing, the stock price is down, and the company is dealing with significant regulatory and economic headwinds. And workers are unsettled.

So Zuckerberg took the mic and tried to assuage those concerns by explaining to everybody why ad revenue growth is slowing.

He said plainly, "If oil prices go up, then consumers spend more of their money on oil, on gas, and less on things that they would just buy that are kind of discretionary things that the advertising might serve."

Without really meaning to, Mark Zuckerberg made a really strong case for real assets.

It ultimately starts with energy costs. Energy costs are higher. And everyone wants to blame Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, but this trend has been building for a long time.

For years, oil was the second most hated asset on the planet, only edged out by coal.

Think about it— liberal elites hold conferences where they fly to dictator states in their private jets, only to parade oil and gas CEOs on stage and publicly shame them.

Then you have the legions of inspired idiots who glitter-bomb art and glue themselves to pavement to stop traffic (ironically increasing emissions), all in the name of "just stop oil."

They deface buildings and commit crimes, but they've been so successful that many oil companies themselves have turned their back on oil.

National governments, especially the previous Biden administration, have gone out of their way to tax, fleece, subvert, frustrate, and publicly ridicule oil companies.

Furthermore, the industry itself has been starved of capital because investors jumped on the bandwagon. Financial institutions stopped making loans, in some cases even debanking oil companies as a ridiculous form of virtue signaling.

Pension funds stopped investing in oil companies. Hedge funds tried to take over oil companies solely to turn them into fantasy green projects.

The dearth of capital— in a capital intensive industry— made it very difficult for exploration companies to finance new discoveries.

Even in the labor market, young people around the world have been so brainwashed that no one wants to go into the oil and gas sector— even though it pays quite well— for fear of public humiliation and "being on the wrong side of history."

To be frank, it's actually kind of extraordinary that an industry deprived of capital and labor, suffering an endless onslaught of media hysteria and political assault, has managed to continue delivering, day after day, the energy that our civilization requires to function.

Blaming today's higher oil prices exclusively on Iran totally misses this history; the problems have been building for years.

Solving this energy challenge will take a long time— to finance new projects, find new discoveries, build the right kinds of infrastructure, and commercialize those discoveries in a way that keeps up with the rising energy demands of a growing world.

In the meantime, higher energy prices increase the production cost of just about everything else— food, housing, automobiles, consumer goods, even your monthly electricity bill. So, in the end, most things become more expensive.

This is ultimately what Mark Zuckerberg was saying— without fully saying it. For years there was an abundance of energy and global cooperation. Combined with low interest rates, the result was negligible price inflation and a feeling of widespread prosperity.

That feeling of prosperity meant consumers had plenty of disposable income for the sorts of things advertisers would sell on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

As Zuckerberg explained, those same retail-focused companies are now selling to consumers and individuals who have less disposable income— precisely because they have to spend more money on essentials like energy and food.

We've been predicting this for the last several years, and we think this trend will continue for some time.

This is why a very sensible place to consider investing, even if just as a hedge against rising prices, is in the companies that produce these critical resources.

This is the core of our investment ethos, and to be frank, it has been very successful.

We've seen our mining stocks multiply by as much as ten times, with several others doubling, tripling, and quadrupling.

But it goes beyond mining; one agricultural company has doubled, and a fertilizer producer is up double digits in just a few months. We've been collecting dividends from industrial producers while their stocks tick higher.

Only a few companies we have researched are down, and we think they still have plenty of upside.

And we are still finding some really great real-asset businesses that are surprisingly, deeply undervalued. That includes energy companies.

There are a lot of reasons for high quality businesses being undervalued; but I think it's because people believe this is some sort of aberration— that tomorrow the spigots turn on and oil drops back to $40 a barrel.

The reality is all these challenges can be solved, but it's going to take a while. And in the meantime, we think these real-asset companies are going to be cash machines.

Keep an eye on your inbox tomorrow afternoon for the new issue of Strategic Assets about an interesting company that has the potential to capture this mismatch in expectations versus reality.

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

https://www.schiffsovereign.com/investing/mark-zuckerberg-makes-a-strong-case-for-real-assets-155119/?inf_contact_key=fefeb1c8a501339946844ef3952b0663dcd31c885f4ab1b34be5363d83ed1062

Venezuela’s Oil Future at a Crossroads

TNT:

Tishwash: Venezuela’s Oil Future at a Crossroads

Despite the green shoots of economic stabilization, Venezuela’s energy sector investment environment must evolve from a negative protection framework to a positive model for recovery. Two of the most significant blocking actions in US history — Executive Orders 13303 (Iraq) and 13884 (Venezuela) — both sought to protect oil revenues from creditor attack.

However, they were built for entirely different purposes. Understanding those differences is essential for shifting Venezuela from a defensive sanctions architecture toward the legal and financial framework needed for reconstruction.  

Venezuela sits on the world’s largest proven oil reserves, more than Saudi Arabia, more than Iraq. On paper, it should be one of the wealthiest countries in the Western Hemisphere. In practice, it has witnessed one of the most dramatic economic collapses of the modern era — and understanding why matters for what comes next.

From Resource Wealth to Systemic Collapse

At its peak in 1998, Venezuela pumped nearly 3.5 million barrels per day of oil. By late 2025, that figure had fallen to around 800,000 b/d, less than 1% of global production. The decline was not geological. Venezuela’s reserves are largely intact, buried beneath the Orinoco Belt in the form of ultraheavy crude.

The collapse was political and institutional. Mismanagement, stringent US sanctions and Venezuela’s lost access to international markets have undermined the country’s extraordinary natural endowments.

The human cost has been staggering. Venezuela’s GDP fell by an estimated 75%-80% between 2012 and 2020, a contraction of a scale that usually only occurs during major wars. The ensuing humanitarian crisis drove nearly eight million Venezuelans to leave the country from 2019 onward.

Oil is not just Venezuela’s main export. It accounts for between 50% and 60% of government revenues and up to 20% of GDP. Salaries, social programs and hospital projects flow from it. Which is precisely why what happens to that revenue stream, legally and financially, is not a technocratic deal. It is the central question of whether Venezuela recovers at all. The US is now invested in this recovery.

On Jan. 3 this year, US forces captured President Nicolas Maduro in an operation that killed at least 80 people, triggering the most consequential political transition Venezuela has seen in a generation. Washington moved quickly to assert control over oil proceeds, while Maduro’s successor, President Delcy Rodriguez, has overhauled the country’s energy sector with major pro-investment reforms.

What legal framework governs those revenues, and who they are protected from, is precisely what this analysis addresses.

Immunization Versus Escrow: The Legal Divide

Following a successful invasion, the US signed Executive Order 13303 in May 2003. This intervention achieved something legally remarkable: it placed Iraq’s entire petroleum revenue stream beyond the reach of courts, creditors and enforcement actions.

The order was sweeping by design. It immunized not just oil flows, but all proceeds derived from them, shielding the Development Fund for Iraq from judgement execution. An entire coalition of international actors, not just Washington, had decided that Iraq’s reconstruction finances should be untouchable.

That structure was not accidental. Its drafters had watched the Argentina debt crisis unfold in real time. They had seen how NML Capital and other holdout creditors used US courts to obtain injunctions that paralyzed Buenos Aries’ ability to pay even its restructured bondholders — the infamous “pari passu” trap that Judge Griesa would later formalize.

EO 13303, and the statutory authority underpinning it in the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, was written specifically to foreclose that possibility. The language of “shall not be subject to judicial process, or judgement” that surrounded the act was a direct answer to the hostile fund litigation playbook. In simple terms, Iraq’s oil revenues were beyond creditor reach.

Venezuela’s situation under Executive Order 13884, signed in 2019, is structurally different, and to grasp both what the US-Venezuela economic relationship can offer and where its current limits lie, it is paramount to understand how it differs from the Iraqi model.

EO 13884 blocked Venezuelan government property within the US’s jurisdiction and restricted dealings with PDVSA. Revenues from assets like Citgo were diverted into restricted custody accounts accessible only with Office of Foreign Assets Control (Ofac) authorization. Those funds were frozen, but not immune.

The key legal distinction is between immunization and blocking. Unlike under EO 13303, Section 1, where a creditor cannot touch the property and the sovereign can deploy it under international oversight, EO 13884, Section 1(a), blocks the property. Meaning neither the creditor nor the sovereign can access it without US permission.

Venezuela’s revenues were placed in a form of controlled escrow under political duress. Bondholders pursuing PDVSA claims and arbitration award holders alike retained the ability to pursue their cases through US courts and international tribunals. EO 13884 brought benefits but did not eliminate pressure.

This distinction reflects the divergent policy objectives of the two orders. EO 13303 served as an enabling instrument, with reconstruction, coordinated debt restructuring through the Paris Club and the stabilization of post-conflict Iraq being the primary goals.

EO 13884 had more of a coercive purpose, including sanctions, pressure and regime-change leverage. A framework designed to constrain a government cannot simultaneously serve as a legal safe harbor for that government’s assets.

The political context has now shifted dramatically, and in ways that make the Iraq comparison more urgent, not less. The removal of Maduro in January transformed Venezuela’s political and financial landscape. Venezuelan sovereign bonds surged nearly 30%, and the creditor community signaled readiness to engage in restructuring talks.

Washington’s response to the transition validates the core legal argument of this analysis. Rather than moving toward the immunization model, the Trump administration formalized and extended the escrow architecture. US President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan oil would be marketed and sold by the US, with proceeds deposited into US-controlled accounts, with a wave of new Ofac General Licenses following through.

Reconstruction Hinges on Creditor Protection

However, sanctions relief and higher oil output will not translate into durable stabilization without a credible strategy for the legacy debt. Creditors retain live claims against Venezuelan oil proceeds, meaning that the NML versus Argentina trap remains open.

One notable structural parallel between the current Venezuela framework and postwar Iraq is apparent — US-mandated custody of oil revenues mirrors Iraq’s centralized, monitored control of proceeds.

Such escrow mechanisms can enhance transparency and reduce off-books creditor repayments during restructuring. Nonetheless, escrow alone does not create a true legal safe harbor. The US remains the single most decisive external actor given that much of Venezuela’s debt is governed by New York law, Ofac control of access to the financial system and Citgo assets being tied up in US courts.

Turning Venezuelan oil revenues from creditor targets into a foundation for recovery would require Washington to move beyond blocking assets and toward actively protecting them. The legal architecture for such a shift exists as a historical template. Whether Washington chooses to deploy it is the central question of Venezuela’s reconstruction moment.  link

Ross: Everything is Converging for America’s 250th Birthday

Ross: Everything is Converging for America’s 250th Birthday

5-7-2026

EVERYTHING IS CONVERGING FOR AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY

Iraq will make all government institutions go 100% cashless and fully digital by July under the CBI mandate.

Senator Tim Scott + crypto insiders predict the Clarity Act will be signed into law by July.

DTCC tokenized securities pilots begin in July, real on-chain RWAs incoming.

Kevin Warsh’s first FOMC meeting is June 16-17. If he cuts rates, liquidity floods in right before the DTCC pilots explode.

Trump Accounts launch July 4-5, $1.2 BILLION instantly injected into U.S. equities via $1K Treasury seeds.

USD bills featuring President Trump’s signature start printing in June.

Will the USD finally be asset-backed?

Is his signature the death certificate of the dying fiat debt-based slavry system?

Only 59 days until America’s 250th birthday.

So much can happen between now and then.

If you’re holding IQD & XRP you’re already battle tested for potentially the final stretch of waiting.

There’s no guarantees but there’s good reason to be bullish about this short term timeframe.

Iraq is at an 11/10 right now.

Crypto Clarity is around the corner.

Some have waited literally thousands of days for this moment.

59 more days. That’s it.

It’ll go by faster than you think.

Or at least it will have in hindsight.

You should be on the edge of your seat right now.

Source(s):
• https://x.com/Ross_ptm/status/2052117735426191633
• https://x.com/Ross_ptm/status/2052197481824538730
https://dinarchronicles.com/2026/05/07/ross-everything-is-converging-for-americas-250th-birthday/

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Thursday Afternoon 5-7-26

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

Trump–Xi Summit Raises Stakes: Trade, Taiwan, and Iran Tensions Shape Global Power Balance

The upcoming Beijing summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping could influence trade flows, energy markets, and geopolitical stability across the global financial system

As Washington and Beijing seek limited cooperation amid rising rivalry, global markets are closely watching whether diplomacy can prevent deeper economic fragmentation.

OVERVIEW (KEY POINTS)

President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing next week in what could become one of the most consequential diplomatic meetings of the year.

The summit comes amid mounting tensions involving trade disputes, technology restrictions, Taiwan, and the ongoing Iran conflict, all of which are placing pressure on the world’s two largest economies.

Key players include the United States, China, Taiwan, and Gulf-region energy markets, with discussions expected to focus heavily on trade stabilization and strategic competition.

The broader implication is significant: the outcome of the summit could influence global trade flows, energy security, supply chains, and investor confidence during a fragile economic period.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

1. Trade Deals Expected to Dominate Discussions

Economic stability remains a top priority.

• Talks include potential Chinese purchases of U.S. agriculture, energy, and aircraft

• Proposed trade mechanisms aim to reduce pressure on sensitive supply chains

2. Technology Restrictions Continue to Divide Both Sides

Semiconductor tensions remain unresolved.

• China pushing for reduced U.S. export restrictions on advanced chips

• U.S. pressuring China over rare earth mineral export controls

3. Iran Conflict Adds Strategic Pressure

Energy security has become central.

• U.S. urging China to support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz

• China concerned over disruptions to Gulf-region oil supplies

4. Taiwan Emerges as Most Sensitive Issue

Diplomatic language could carry major consequences.

• Beijing seeking stronger U.S. wording opposing Taiwan independence

• Even minor policy shifts could impact regional security perceptions

5. Markets Watching for Stability Signals

Investors seeking signs of reduced confrontation.

• Businesses hoping for progress on trade and supply chain certainty

• Markets reacting cautiously to summit expectations

WHY IT MATTERS

This summit matters because the relationship between the United States and China now shapes nearly every aspect of the global financial system, from trade and technology to energy and security.

Even limited agreements could reduce uncertainty and stabilize markets temporarily, especially as global supply chains remain vulnerable to geopolitical disruption.

For policymakers, the challenge is balancing competition with cooperation while avoiding actions that could trigger economic fragmentation or military escalation.

At the system level, this reflects the broader transition toward a multipolar world order where economic and geopolitical power is increasingly divided.

WHY IT MATTERS TO FOREIGN CURRENCY HOLDERS

• Currency markets may react sharply to summit outcomes

• Trade agreements could stabilize global exchange flows

• Energy security concerns may influence inflation and purchasing power

• Safe-haven demand for the U.S. dollar may fluctuate with geopolitical risk

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GLOBAL RESET

• Pillar 1: Multipolar Economic Realignment

The summit highlights how global finance is shifting away from a single dominant economic framework toward a more competitive multipolar structure.

• Pillar 2: Strategic Supply Chains Become Financial Weapons

Technology controls, rare earth minerals, and energy routes are increasingly being used as tools of geopolitical leverage.

CONCLUSION

The Trump–Xi summit represents more than a diplomatic meeting—it is a test of whether the world’s two largest powers can manage competition without destabilizing the global economy.

While major breakthroughs remain unlikely, even limited cooperation could ease pressure on trade, energy markets, and investor sentiment.

However, the deeper structural tensions surrounding Taiwan, technology, and geopolitical influence remain unresolved.

As global power becomes more divided, diplomacy itself is becoming a critical pillar of financial stability.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Modern Diplomacy — "Trump Xi Summit Set to Test US China Relations on Trade Taiwan and Iran"

• Reuters — "U.S. and China prepare for high-stakes summit amid trade and geopolitical tensions"

~~~~~~~~~~

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Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Thursday Afternoon 5-7-26

Iran War Day 69: Tehran ‘Reviewing’ US Proposals; Israel Bombs Beirut

News|US-Israel war on Iran    By Elizabeth Melimopoulos and AFP  Published On 7 May 2026 

Trump says US-Iran talks are progressing as Tehran reviews a US proposal delivered through Pakistan.

United States President Donald Trump has said the US has held “very good talks” with Iran and suggested a deal to end the conflict could be within reach, as Tehran says it is still reviewing a US proposal delivered through mediator Pakistan.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, said the proposal remains “under review” and that Tehran will communicate its response once it has “finalised its views”.

The diplomatic push comes amid continuing regional tensions, with uncertainty remaining over whether the negotiations can produce a breakthrough after weeks of military escalation and political threats between Washington and Tehran.

Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its military campaign by bombing Beirut in the first strike on the Lebanese capital since a ceasefire, widely seen as fragile, came into force on April 17.

Here is what we know:

In Iran

• Iran reviewing US proposal: Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei said a US proposal to end the war is still “under review” by Tehran. Iran will convey its views to key mediator Pakistan after “finalising its views”, Baghaei told the ISNA news agency.

• Iranian speaker mocks US operations: Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf ridiculed recent military operations against Tehran, joking on social media that “Operation Trust Me Bro failed” and that Washington had now returned to “Operation Fauxios”.

War Diplomacy

• Iran seeks China’s help: Tehran is looking forward to China’s support for a “new post-war” regional framework following its conflict with the US, said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a post on X.

• Pakistan PM ‘hopeful’: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a key mediator between Iran, the US and Israel, said he was “hopeful” the current momentum of negotiations would lead to peace in the region.

• Trump pushes for fast Iran deal: Trump is aiming to secure an agreement with Iran before the end of his upcoming trip to China, as negotiators work through a reported 14-point framework via Pakistani mediators. Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett says the compressed timeline suggests the White House believes a breakthrough may be close, while also allowing Trump to project momentum before a high-profile foreign visit.

In the Gulf

• US warplane disables Iranian tanker: The US military says a Navy fighter jet fired on and disabled the rudder of an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel allegedly tried to breach Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports.

In the US

• Trump predicts quick end to war: Trump says the conflict with Iran “will be over quickly” as Washington pushes for a deal over Tehran’s nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Speaking to supporters, Trump said the US “cannot allow” Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, according to the Reuters news agency.

• US threatens escalation: Trump threatened to resume bombing in Iran if it did not agree to a deal. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” Trump said in a social media post.

In Israel

• Sirens sound in northern Israel: Israel’s military says it intercepted a “suspicious aerial target” launched from Lebanon after warning sirens sounded across northern Israel.

In Lebanon

• Lebanon ceasefire under strain: Israeli forces are carrying out daily air strikes deeper inside Lebanon despite a US-brokered ceasefire, signalling a widening of the conflict beyond the country’s south.

• Hezbollah steps up attacks: Hezbollah says its fighters carried out 17 targeted strikes against Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory, accusing Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire.

Global economy

Hormuz closure hits global shipping: German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd says the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is costing it about $60m a week in fuel and insurance, as companies avoid the waterway over fears of Iranian attacks and potential sanctions linked to IRGC-controlled transit procedures.

China banks urged to halt refinery loans: Beijing’s financial regulator has reportedly advised major Chinese banks to pause new loans to five oil refineries sanctioned by the US over alleged links to Iranian oil, according to Bloomberg News.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/7/iran-war-day-69-tehran-reviewing-us-proposals-israel-bombs-beirut

States Should Tax Windfall Oil Profits to Fund Their Way Out of Crisis

Opinion  Renewable Energy  By Ketan Joshi The Iran war is triggering a major economic crisis that is boosting energy profits. Taxing those can help countries survive and become immune to energy shocks.

The last fossil fuel crisis caused incredible amounts of pain for the people of Europe. In 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine, gas prices skyrocketed, resulting in the costs of energy rising to cripplingly high levels. Every European Union citizen overpaying for their fossil gas and power sent 150 euros ($175) to the United States per year, according to a recent report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

That pain meant unprecedented profits for fossil fuel companies. In 2023, the world’s oil and gas industry earned a whopping $2.7 trillion, and invested just 4 percent of its capital expenditure in clean energy.

These crises are moments of extreme injustice. Not only are people paying a price for fossil fuel use through the immediate climate impacts, but they are now suffering through increasingly frequent price crises where meals are skipped, jobs are lost, and lights are turned off. This public dip in conditions and cost of living runs parallel to an upwards swing for fossil fuel companies’ blood profits.

The least governments can do at this moment is impose a windfall tax on energy companies and use the proceeds to cushion the blow to households and fund an energy transition.

As was the case in 2022, the resurgence of fossil fuel company mega-profits we are seeing now has come about as the direct consequence of bloody conflict. In late February, the US and Israel attacked Iran. The conflict soon spread across the region. By now, more than 3,000 Iranians have been killed, including more than 150 schoolgirls and teachers at a school that was hit. More than 2,000 Lebanese people have also been killed, as well as 23 Israelis and dozens of people across the Gulf region.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is triggering a global upwards shift in oil and gas prices. Recently released reports for the first quarter of the year, which includes the first month of the war, already show windfall profits for energy companies.

Last week, BP announced “stronger than expected” earnings of $3.2bn, far higher than the projected $2.63bn. Shares in the company rose 2.5 percent on the morning of the announcement. TotalEnergies also reported a 29 percent jump in first-quarter earnings to $5.4bn. ExxonMobil’s Q1 earnings were lower, but that is because some profits from sales in March will be reflected in the report for the second quarter of the year.

With analysts projecting a spike in oil prices even if the Strait of Hormuz is opened soon, these windfall profits are set to continue. A recent analysis from Oxfam International found that fossil fuel companies are projected to earn $3,000 a second in 2026.

This is the natural consequence of a global energy system dependent on the extraction and transport of a critical fuel through narrow, vulnerable chokepoints. But it is also very much an outcome of greed and the profit motive.

Fossil fuel companies have acted over the decades to ensure that humanity remains trapped in this system. This goes back to the efforts to deny climate change and attack alternatives as far back as the 1980s. It also relates to efforts to manufacture demand for their products by lobbying governments and pushing for investment in industries that are heavily dependent on fossil fuels.

As energy think tank Ember recently explored, previous fossil fuel crises have ultimately failed to decouple the world from this fundamentally vulnerable and unreliable system. But this time, wind, solar, energy storage and electric vehicles are significantly cheaper, even compared to 2022’s fossil fuel crisis.

Ember correctly highlights that there is no default destiny here, and that “the temptation will be to reach for the familiar playbook – more drilling, more subsidies, more supply diversification”. But temptation can be resisted.

Short-term sugar hits from cutting fossil fuel taxes only end up transferring even more money from ordinary people to the powerful, and those knee-jerk policy responses should be replaced with targeted relief for those who need it most.

Fossil fuel companies should, at the absolute bare minimum, be hit with windfall taxes, and that money should be shared with the most vulnerable in the form of social support for impoverished households. They should also be channelled to countries hit hardest by climate change. Such support would essentially act as reparations paid by high-level polluters for those suffering irreversible damage.

Windfall tax revenues should also be used to fund the transition away from fossil fuels in order to make countries more immune to energy shocks. Governments should introduce bold and urgent oil demand elimination programmes focused on public and active transport, and the incentivisation of small cars. New policies that help the most vulnerable citizens, such as Australia’s daytime cheap solar power scheme, should be urgently implemented.

We cannot survive in this system. Hooking humanity on a fuel that becomes more profitable for companies when there is more bloodshed and conflict is a guaranteed recipe for more suffering in every way imaginable.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2026/5/5/states-should-tax-windfall-oil-profits-to-fund-their-way-out-of-the-crisis

New Fed Chair's Plan to Cancel America's Debt

New Fed Chair's Plan to Cancel America's Debt

Jamie Dimon Mindset:  5-7-2026

The social media version of this story describes a secret plan by the new Fed chair to wipe out America's debt — that framing is inaccurate, but the underlying reality it points to is more consequential than the headline suggests.

There is no secret: financial repression is a historically documented policy tool that the United States used deliberately for nearly three decades after World War II, reducing its debt-to-GDP ratio from 106 percent to 23 percent without a single default, without dramatic austerity, and without most Americans understanding that the transfer was happening to their savings until the process was substantially complete.

The mechanism is precise — keep the interest rate paid on government debt below the rate of inflation, and the real value of the debt quietly erodes year after year, transferred silently from savers and bondholders to the government that issued the debt.

 In this analysis, I explain exactly how the mechanism works, why the political system has no viable alternative to some version of it, what the critical difference is between 1946 and today that makes the current version potentially more disorderly, and why central banks purchasing over a thousand tons of gold in 2025 are the most honest available signal about where this is heading.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux0lXsevzAA

Jon Dowling & Zester Discuss Cryptos & The Great Wealth Transfer Latest Updates

Jon Dowling & Zester Discuss Cryptos & The Great Wealth Transfer Latest Updates

5-7-2026

The financial world is currently standing at a significant crossroads, where traditional banking systems and emerging blockchain technologies are beginning to merge.

 In a recent, eye-opening podcast episode, host Jon sat down with seasoned blockchain expert Mr. Zester to unpack the complexities of the current economic landscape. With over a decade of experience in the crypto space, Mr. Zester provides a roadmap for what he describes as a historic “financial reset” occurring between May and November 2026.

One of the most pressing topics discussed was the critical six-month window leading up to the U.S. midterm elections. According to the dialogue, recent and upcoming Federal interest rate decisions may be more tactical than purely economic. The experts suggest that short-term stimulus measures and rate adjustments are often designed to stabilize markets and influence public sentiment during high-stakes political seasons.

A fascinating development in this area is the evolving relationship between stablecoins and U.S. Treasury bonds. As digital assets become more integrated into the economy, we are seeing a shift where U.S. debt is increasingly held by digital stablecoin users rather than foreign entities, effectively digitizing the bond market.

Perhaps the most transformative concept discussed was the tokenization of natural resources. Countries like Iraq, which are rich in oil and rare earth metals, are reportedly preparing to back their currencies with digital tokens representing these in-ground assets.

 This move represents a shift away from traditional fiat models toward a system where digital value is directly tied to tangible, physical wealth.

This trend isn’t limited to energy; precious metals are also undergoing a digital evolution. Once viewed primarily as safe-haven assets, gold and silver are being tokenized to become liquid, spendable currencies. This allows for greater utility while also introducing a new era of price discovery and market volatility.

While the general public may perceive blockchain as a niche interest, the podcast reveals that major institutions are already moving behind the scenes. Giants like Bank of America are reportedly transitioning their back-end infrastructure to blockchain-based systems.

While the “front-end” experience for the average consumer might look the same for now, the plumbing of the global financial system is being replaced. This internal upgrade is designed to increase efficiency and transparency in settlements, though it will take time before the full benefits—and changes—are visible to the everyday user.

As we move toward a digital-first economy, security remains a paramount concern. Mr. Zester highlighted the looming challenge of quantum computing. As quantum capabilities advance, they pose a threat to current cryptographic standards.

The industry is now in a race to develop and implement “quantum-resistant” technologies to ensure that the digital financial system remains secure against future computational breakthroughs.

Furthermore, the conversation touched on the future of Ethereum. While it remains the leader in programmable smart contracts, the rise of interoperable blockchains is set to challenge its dominance. The future of the ecosystem lies in the ability to move assets seamlessly across different networks, fostering a more competitive and innovative environment.

The episode concludes with a sobering look at what Mr. Zester calls “the greatest gamble in American history.” We are witnessing a systemic realignment where institutional “insiders” are quietly accumulating assets and upgrading systems while the broader public remains largely unaware of the scale of the transition.

In this era of rapid change, the key to navigating the future is awareness and strategic positioning. Whether it is understanding the geopolitical shifts in the Middle East or the technological upgrades in the banking sector, staying informed is the best way to prepare for the “global reset.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfPj1DN3Ij8

News, Rumors and Opinions Thursday 5-7-2026

Ariel:  Iraq and the HCL Agreement

5-7-2026

We Have An Amazing Report Today Folks

The new supergiant oilfield discovery in Najaf province (al-Qarnain block, 8.8+ billion barrels of light crude, confirmed by the Iraqi Oil Ministry) is not a surprise to those operating in the deeper ledgers. It was geologically anticipated and privately modeled years ago. This is one more hidden vector being unlocked now that the Hydrocarbon Law (HCL) framework is advancing and political cover is in place.

These discoveries were deliberately compartmentalized until the convergence aligned: government formation, HCL passage, cashless mandate, gold-backing pressure, and Mythos-driven infrastructure hardening.

The Real Hidden Wealth Vectors (Beyond Public Reserves)

The CBI’s ~$100 billion reserves are the public face theater for domestic stability. The actual settlement power for meaningful revaluations (IQD, and parallel plays in Venezuelan bolivar stabilization or Zimbabwe structures) draws from layered, off-balance-sheet pools that have been quietly accumulated and redirected since the early 2000s.

1. DFI Remnants & Reconstruction Escrows (Primary Operational Backstop)**

The Development Fund for Iraq, seeded with post-2003 oil revenues, Oil-for-Food surpluses, and seized regime assets, still maintains active escrow sub-accounts under FRBNY custody with Iraqi beneficial ownership. SIGIR audits documented billions in loosely tracked tranches that flowed into long-term reconstruction vehicles and bilateral offset facilities.

These are not “lost” they were restructured into sovereign stabilization escrows used for debt offsets and currency settlements. Private exchanges since 2016 have cleared large dinar positions as claims against these vehicles, amortized over oil revenue streams rather than immediate CBI drawdowns.

2. Seized Kleptocratic & Sanctions Forfeiture Pools**

Post-2003 Iraqi regime assets (Uday/Qusay-linked accounts, global front companies), Venezuelan PDVSA/Maduro frozen holdings, and Zimbabwean mineral/diamond forfeiture streams have been aggregated into Treasury and multilateral forfeiture funds. These operate as revolving credit facilities for reset plays.

A large IQD position is netted against a claim on these pools; the sovereign services it via future production allocations. This is how exchanges have happened quietly for over a decade forward rate contracts locking in premium effective rates (structured offsets) far above public theater numbers. Something I told you all about a multiple times.

3. Sovereign Wealth & Heritage Reallocation Instruments**

Legacy reconstruction and sovereign wealth vehicles (not mythical named trusts, but operational sovereign reallocations from historical regime assets and multilateral contributions) provide additional depth.

These function as forward settlement rails: a US bank credits the holder in USD/digital equivalent and takes a corresponding long-term claim serviced by oil bonds, reconstruction credits, or capital inflow proceeds (Vietnam-style bond playbook).

Mathematically, this is a non-dilutive balance sheet transfer no new Iraqi money creation, just reallocation of existing claims.

Read Full Article:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/field-report-hcl-157569654

https://dinarchronicles.com/2026/05/06/prolotario-iraq-and-the-hcl-agreement/

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

Boot-On-The-Ground Guru Omar  The Gazette framework confirms Iraq is restructuring the FX system.  They do confirm the CBI is preparing for a policy shift.  It does confirm that the exchange rate discussions are now official and public.  And it confirms a major monetary transaction is underway...

Jeff Not every position [of the new PM cabinet] has to be filled.  They just need a majority completion approval in parliament. 

Stephen  The new prime minister is expediting the process of getting his entire cabinet seated.  It's supposed to be on the 27th of May.  He's actually going to have his entire cabinet seated and ready for vote before parliament by May 9th which is only a few days away...

Reset IntelligenceAlaq names the architecture that would carry a new rate is already 95 percent built. The Finance chair decides the rate...al-Alaq did not need to say "the rate is changing." He said something more dangerous. He said the architecture that would carry a new rate is already 95 percent built.

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

US Officially a Banana Republic - Bill Holter

Greg Hunter USAWatchdog: 5-5-2026

Holter says, "Derivatives are the biggest danger. Warren Buffett calls them mass financial destruction. It should not go unnoticed that Berkshire Hathaway is now sitting on $400 billion of cash, which is the biggest hoard they have ever had.

 In 1998, the financial media called him an idiot, and what happened in 2000? Buffett was an idiot again in early 2008. What happened in late 2008 and 2009? Buffett is not an idiot, and for him to say now that there is nothing out there of value to buy and I’d rather have cash, that tells you a pretty big story.”

On silver, Holter says, “I think we are reloading for a much larger event than we saw in November to January. That 90 days was spectacular, but I think this next move is going to dwarf that.” Holter says many big analysts are predicting silver much, much higher by the end of the year.

There is much more in the 42-minute interview.

https://rumble.com/v79gihy-us-officially-a-banana-republic-bill-holter.html

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Thursday Morning 5-7-26

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

Global Debt, Energy Risks, and Dollar Pressures Intensify Reset Concerns

Rising sovereign debt and shifting investor behavior are exposing cracks in the foundations of the global financial system.

Overview

New economic developments today reveal a growing convergence of record global debt, energy-driven market instability, and changing investor confidence in U.S. assets. While markets remain resilient on the surface, underlying indicators suggest mounting systemic pressure that could accelerate long-term changes in global finance.

Key Developments

1. Global Debt Climbs to Nearly $353 Trillion

The Institute of International Finance reported that global debt reached a record $353 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, driven heavily by borrowing in the United States and China. Debt now stands at roughly 305% of global GDP, reinforcing concerns about long-term sustainability.

2. Foreign Demand for U.S. Debt Shows Signs of Weakening

International investors are increasingly favoring European and Japanese bonds over U.S. Treasuries, signaling a gradual shift in global capital allocation. While there is no immediate threat to the dollar’s reserve status, the trend reflects growing caution toward U.S. fiscal conditions.

3. Oil Market Volatility Continues to Pressure Global Stability

Markets rallied today on optimism surrounding a possible U.S.–Iran peace agreement, helping oil prices retreat from recent highs. However, uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and future energy supply disruptions continues to create instability across inflation expectations and global trade.

4. IMF Warns of Long-Term Financial Fragility

The IMF continues to warn that prolonged geopolitical conflict and elevated oil prices could push the global economy toward slower growth, tighter liquidity conditions, and increased financial instability. Funding markets, sovereign debt levels, and private credit exposure remain key vulnerabilities.

Why It Matters

The combination of record debt expansion, weakening confidence in traditional financial anchors, and persistent energy instability suggests a global system operating under increasing strain. Historically, such conditions often precede monetary restructuring, policy shifts, or changes in reserve asset behavior.

Why It Matters to Foreign Currency Holders

• Greater potential for currency volatility and reserve diversification

• Increasing focus on commodity-backed and regional trade systems

• Continued pressure on countries with high external debt exposure

Implications for the Global Reset

• Pillar 1: Debt Sustainability Crisis

As debt burdens continue climbing, governments and central banks may face pressure to implement new liquidity measures, restructuring programs, or fiscal realignment policies.

• Pillar 2: Slow Shift Away From Dollar Dependence

While the dollar remains dominant, investor movement into alternative markets and currencies reflects a gradual diversification of global financial trust and reserve allocation.

Closing Insight

Financial markets may appear stable today, but the deeper trends point toward a system increasingly dependent on debt expansion, fragile energy flows, and central bank intervention. These pressures are steadily reshaping the architecture of global finance.

This is not just market volatility — it’s a warning that the global financial system is being forced into transition.

Seeds of Wisdom Team
Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources

• Reuters — "Global debt hits record of near $353 trillion" 
  

• Reuters — "Stocks trade around record highs, oil falls on peace optimism"

~~~~~~~~~~

🌱 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

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Thursday Morning 5-7-26

Iraq Occupies A Central Position On The Map Of Global Economic Powers.

Money and Business    Economy News – Baghdad

A recent report released on Thursday by the US-based economic data and analytics platform Visual Capitalist, based on International Monetary Fund forecasts, shows that the global economy is projected to reach approximately $126 trillion by 2026, with global output continuing to be concentrated in a limited number of major economies.

According to the platform's report, which was followed by "Al-Eqtisad News," the United States, China, Germany, and Japan lead the global economic scene, as these four countries together account for nearly half of the global GDP, while the United States alone accounts for nearly a quarter of the global economy.

The report indicated that Iraq ranks 56th globally with a GDP estimated at about $265 billion, representing about 0.2% of the global economy, which places it among the relatively medium to low economies worldwide.

He explained that Iraq is among the group of economies that exceed the threshold of hundreds of billions of dollars, along with countries such as Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Portugal, indicating that it possesses large economic resources, especially in the energy sector, but it is still far from the levels of economic diversification and productivity achieved by major industrial economies.

The report added that global economic growth is gradually shifting towards Asia, led by India and Indonesia, at a time when major economies such as Germany and Japan are facing relatively weak growth rates.

He indicated that India is poised to strengthen its position as an emerging economic power in the coming years, with expectations of growth rates exceeding 6%, which could contribute to redrawing the map of the global economy in the medium term.

Conversely, the report noted the continued widening gap between major economies and the rest of the world, with Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq, remaining in a position of flux between structural challenges and opportunities related to energy markets and future economic diversification potential. https://www.economy-news.net/content.php?id=68789

Oil Rebounds From Two-Week Lows On Uncertain Peace Outlook

2026-05-07  Shafaq News   Oil prices rose over $1 on Thursday, rebounding from the previous day's sharp losses, as investors weighed ‌the prospects of a Middle East peace deal succeeding.

Brent crude futures were up 78 cents, or 0.8%, at $102.05 a barrel at 0400 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate gained 76 cents, or 0.8%, to $95.84 a barrel.

Both benchmarks slumped more than 7% on Wednesday, hitting two-week lows on optimism over a possible end to the Middle East war. ​They pared losses, however, after U.S. President Donald Trump said it was "too soon" for face-to-face talks with Tehran and a senior ​Iranian lawmaker said the U.S. proposal was more of a wish list than a reality.

"While peace negotiations are ⁠likely to continue at least until next week's U.S.-China summit, the outlook beyond that remains uncertain," said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, chief ​strategist of Nissan Securities Investment, a unit of Nissan Securities.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet next week.

"The main scenario ​is that oil prices will remain elevated," Kikukawa said.

Iran said on Wednesday it was reviewing a U.S. peace proposal that sources said would formally end the war while leaving unresolved the key U.S. demands that Iran suspend its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson ​cited by Iran's ISNA news agency said Tehran would convey its response. Trump said he believed Iran wanted an agreement.

A Pakistan ​mediation source and another person briefed on the talks said an agreement was close on a one-page memorandum that would formally end the conflict.

U.S. ‌media outlet ⁠Axios reported that the U.S. expects Iranian responses on several key points in the next 48 hours, citing sources saying this is the closest the parties had come to an agreement since the war began.

"From a broader perspective, oil markets have remained stuck between diplomacy and disruption for more than two months, with investors' emotions being manipulated by headlines almost daily," said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior ​market analyst at Phillip Nova.

"If ​a formal deal eventually materialises, ⁠oil prices could witness a free fall as geopolitical premiums rapidly evaporate from the market. However, any fresh signs of attacks on oil infrastructure or escalation in the Middle East could easily ​trigger another parabolic spike in crude prices."

Even if a peace deal is reached, oil supplies ​are expected to tighten ⁠further in coming weeks because it will take weeks for oil shipments to resume from the Middle East Gulf and reach refiners worldwide - so oil companies will continue to deplete storage tanks to meet peak summer demand.

U.S. crude and fuel inventories continued to decline last week ⁠as countries ​sought to offset supply disruptions caused by the Iran crisis, the Energy Information ​Administration said on Wednesday.

Crude stocks fell by 2.3 million barrels to 457.2 million barrels last week, compared with analyst expectations in a Reuters poll for a ​3.3 million-barrel draw.

(REUTERS)    https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Oil-rebounds-from-two-week-lows-on-uncertain-peace-outlook

Finance Committee: Regularizing Contracts Does Not Increase The Burden Of Salaries Or The Budget In Any Way.

Money and Business   Economy News – Baghdad   The parliamentary finance committee announced on Thursday that it has prepared a comprehensive study to regularize contracts without financial burdens on the treasury, while noting that there is a near-final agreement to convert daily wages into ministerial contracts.

Committee member Uday Awad said, according to the official agency, that "there is a study prepared to stabilize the contracts and this does not cost the treasury any financial burdens."

He explained that “employees’ salaries amount to more than 7 trillion dinars,” indicating that “adding contracts does not increase the burden of salaries or the budget at all, because the matter is limited to changing the job title from contract to permanent staff, and there are some additions in a number of departments that can be dealt with through transfer between spending categories.”

Regarding the daily wage, Awad stated that "the daily wage will be converted into a ministerial contract, especially for those who were appointed after 2019, as there is a near-agreement to convert them into ministerial contracts."

The member of the Finance Committee continued, "Financial security is stable, but sending the budget from the new government will provide the legal basis for borrowing, as well as increasing non-oil revenues and addressing the issue of non-oil revenues with the Kurdistan Region." https://www.economy-news.net/content.php?id=68788

Iraq Is Among The Top Destinations For Turkish Exports, With Strong Growth Last Month.

Money and Business   Economy News – Baghdad   Iraq was among the key markets that supported the growth of Turkish exports during April 2026, at a time when the Mediterranean Exporters Associations in Turkey announced strong results in a number of regional and international markets.

The head of the associations, Faisal Mameesh, said in a statement followed by “Al-Eqtisad News”, that the value of their exports reached $1.65 billion during last April, an increase of 27% compared to the same period last year.

He noted that export performance witnessed clear momentum in the Italian and German markets, while strong growth was also observed in the Iraqi markets, in addition to the Romanian, Spanish and Egyptian markets.

Mameesh explained that this increase was driven by increased exports of iron, minerals, chemicals, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and oilseeds, which are commodities that are in growing demand in the Iraqi market.

The inclusion of Iraq among the fastest growing markets reflects the continued expansion of trade between Baghdad and Ankara, especially given the Iraqi market's reliance on foreign imports to secure some food, construction materials, and industrial goods.

Turkish associations also expect this export momentum to continue in the coming months, aiming to achieve annual growth exceeding 10% by the end of the year. https://www.economy-news.net/content.php?id=68790

FIFA Responds To Accusations Of "Extortion" In Ticket Pricing For The 2026 World Cup

Money and Business   Economy News – Baghdad   Gianni Infantino defended the pricing policy for World Cup 2026 tickets, asserting that FIFA operates in accordance with special local laws in the United States that allow for the resale of tickets at prices higher than their original value.

FIFA faced widespread criticism, with the European Football Supporters' Organization describing ticket prices as "extortionate" and filing a formal complaint with the European Commission objecting to what it considered excessive pricing.

The controversy intensified after offers to resell tickets for the tournament final, scheduled to be held in New York, circulated at prices exceeding two million dollars per ticket, a shocking figure compared to the official price.

But Infantino stressed that these figures do not reflect the original price, but rather the resale market, adding that the price increase is related to the large demand for the tournament.

When comparing prices, the difference becomes clear:

2022 World Cup Final in Qatar: Official maximum ticket price around $1600

2026 Final: Up to approximately $11,000 official maximum

Infantino believes this increase is "justified" given the development of the entertainment industry globally.

The FIFA president explained that selling tickets at low prices would simply lead to them being resold at higher prices, arguing that the market determines the true value, not just the organizing body.

He also noted that FIFA received more than 500 million ticket requests, a record number that far exceeds the demand for previous editions, which explains the significant increase in prices.

Nevertheless, Infantino confirmed that about 25% of the group stage tickets were offered for less than $300, noting that this price remains competitive compared to the prices of major sporting events in the United States.

https://www.economy-news.net/content.php?id=68748

Iraq News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 5-7-2026

‍TNT:

Tishwash:  With the participation of 12 banks, Kirkuk hosts a special event to promote financial inclusion.

The Central Bank of Iraq, with the participation of 12 government and private banks, organized a special event in Kirkuk Governorate aimed at promoting financial inclusion and spreading the culture of digital financial transactions, as well as opening up prospects for cooperation between citizens and banking institutions  

Rafidain Bank representative in Kirkuk, Maab Mustafa, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that “this activity is the first of its kind in the governorate, and it will showcase the services, offers and facilities provided by banks, in addition to facilitating the procedures for opening current and savings accounts.”

He added that "the event also focused on the importance of issuing electronic cards, using modern payment methods in shopping and government payments, as well as clarifying the concepts of financial inclusion and ways to protect banking data."

For his part, Zaid Raad, the sales manager at the state-owned Al-Rasheed Bank in Kirkuk, confirmed to (WAA) that “the event held by the Central Bank has a positive impact, especially in the areas of loans and financing,” noting that it highlights housing loan initiatives, support for small projects, and personal loans sponsored by the Central Bank.

According to those in charge of the activity, which was covered by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the main objective of this event is to ensure that financial services reach all segments of society at reasonable prices, and to work on the transition from reliance on cash to the digital banking system.

They explained that this shift contributes to reducing the risks of carrying cash, facilitating buying and selling through point-of-sale (POS) devices, as well as supporting the local economy by enhancing liquidity within the formal banking system.    link

Tishwash:  The Central Bank of Iraq: The flow of foreign currency into Iraq is stable.

The Deputy Director General of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Office at the Central Bank of Iraq, Hussein Ali, stated that the bank’s procedures and international audits have led to the regulation of foreign transfers and ensured the flow of foreign currency (dollars) into the country, noting that there is ongoing coordination at the international level to exchange intelligence and financial information with the aim of drying up the sources of terrorism financing.

 In an interview with Rudaw Media Network on Wednesday (May 6, 2026) regarding Iraq's ability to implement the observations of the US Treasury and international institutions to ensure the continued sending of dollars, Hussein Ali said: "The Iraqi banking system has witnessed remarkable progress in technical and practical compliance over the past years, and this has been reflected in international reports indicating an improvement in Iraq's ranking in the field of combating money laundering."

According to information obtained from several Iraqi officials, the United States promised to normalize sending dollars to Iraq, but until the last few days no amounts of dollars have entered the Central Bank’s account.

The Central Bank official explained that there is "full coordination" with the Supreme Judicial Council to take "strict legal measures" against violators, noting that the international audit process "led to the regulation of foreign transfers, achieving stability and ensuring the flow of foreign currency through official channels."

The Deputy Director of the Anti-Money Laundering Office stated that "fictitious trade and the black market" were among the most prominent challenges facing the Central Bank, adding: "The electronic platform for remittances has brought about a major transformation; official channels are now the main route for remittances, which has enabled our teams to easily track financial movements that do not correspond to the type of business activity, especially those that use fictitious invoices."

 The official also pointed to a new coordination with the Customs Authority through the ASYCUDA system, saying: "This system provides an accurate database of exports and imports and prevents manipulation of prices and quantities of goods." 

Regarding the black market, Hussein Ali said: "We worked to strengthen confidence in official channels so that the free market would not remain an outlet for illegal activities."

 Regarding preventing the financing of terrorism, Hussein Ali announced that they are using "modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis systems". 

He added: "We closely monitor virtual assets and digital currencies via Blockchain technology, where new analytical tools have enabled us to detect abnormal patterns of money transfers faster and more accurately."

The Central Bank official concluded by noting that the Central Bank and the Iraqi government are in continuous coordination at the international level to exchange intelligence and financial information, "with the aim of drying up the sources of terrorist financing that attempt to exploit technical loopholes."  link

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Tishwash:  Customs automation halves demand for dollars: An economist reveals a radical shift in Iraq's foreign remittances.

Iraqi economist Manar Al-Obaidi revealed a radical shift in Iraq’s foreign transfer balance during the first quarter of 2026, stressing that the implementation of the Asycuda customs automation system directly contributed to curbing what he described as the “financial bleeding” that accompanied import operations and international transfers for years.

Al-Obaidi explained, based on recent data, that the Central Bank of Iraq’s sales of foreign currency recorded a sharp and unprecedented decline, reaching about $10 billion during the first quarter of 2026, compared to much higher levels in previous periods.

He explained that the annual comparison shows a decline of 50% compared to the first quarter of 2025, while the quarterly comparison recorded a decrease of 49% compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, in which sales amounted to about $21 billion, reflecting a clear gap in the volume of spending on hard currency.

Al-Obaidi stressed that this decrease does not reflect an economic recession, but rather represents a direct result of strengthening financial control tools, noting that the ASYCUDA system, along with the Advance Send system, played a pivotal role in reducing invoice inflation and preventing the submission of fake or overvalued import documents to obtain dollars.

He added that these systems also contributed to controlling the import movement by linking financial transfers to the actual goods entering the country, as well as monitoring re-exported goods and closing loopholes that were being exploited in money laundering or currency smuggling operations under the guise of commercial activity.

Al-Obaidi described the reliance on these digital systems as a "strategic achievement" for Iraqi fiscal policy, noting that it succeeded in a short period in reducing the demand for the dollar by half, which enhances the stability of the national currency and gives the Central Bank greater flexibility in managing cash reserves with higher efficiency. link

Tishwash:  Washington wants Iraq's next prime minister to take "concrete steps" to distance himself from Tehran.

A senior official said the United States is looking for “concrete steps” from Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi to distance the state from pro-Iranian armed groups before resuming financial and security assistance.

The “Coordination Framework,” a political alliance of pro-Iranian parties holding the largest bloc in parliament, tasked al-Zaidi with forming the next government, replacing Nouri al-Maliki. The prime minister-designate received a phone call from President Donald Trump, who had threatened to cut off all US aid if al-Maliki returned to the premiership.

But a senior U.S. State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Tuesday that al-Zaidi needs to clarify the “blurred line” between the Iraqi state and pro-Iranian groups.

Washington suspended cash payments for oil revenues, which were handled by the Federal Reserve in New York under an agreement dating back to the aftermath of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, as well as suspending security assistance in the wake of a series of attacks on US interests following the outbreak of war in the Middle East with a US-Israeli attack on Iran.

The official stressed that “the resumption of full support requires first expelling the terrorist militias from all state institutions, cutting off their support from the Iraqi budget, and preventing the payment of salaries to their fighters.”

He added, "These are the concrete measures that will give us confidence and confirm the existence of a new mindset."

The official stated that US facilities in Iraq have been subjected to more than 600 attacks since the outbreak of war on February 28. The attacks have stopped since the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran on April 8, with the exception of Iranian strikes in the Kurdistan region.

The official said, “I do not underestimate the seriousness of the challenge or what it will take to unravel these relationships. It may begin with a clear and unequivocal political statement that terrorist militias are not part of the Iraqi state,” considering that some parties within the Iraqi state “still… provide political, financial and operational cover for these terrorist militias.”

The “coordination framework” announced in January the nomination of Maliki to form the government, succeeding Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. However, Washington threatened to halt support for Baghdad should Maliki return to the position he held for two terms between 2006 and 2014. His relations with Washington cooled during his second term, while his relationship with Tehran strengthened.

Attacks claimed by armed groups in Iraq have targeted the US embassy in Baghdad, its diplomatic and logistical headquarters at the capital's airport, and oil fields operated by foreign companies.

Most Iraqi armed groups coalesced under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), established in 2014 to fight the Islamic State, before being integrated into the Iraqi military and becoming part of the armed forces. However, the PMF also includes brigades belonging to Iranian-backed factions that operate independently.  link