Article: “IRAQ CONFRONTS ECONOMIC CRISES WITH THE “DIGITAL DINAR.” THE PARALLEL MARKET IS THREATENED WITH “EXTINCTION.”
...When they talk about the digital dinar, it is backed by a physical measure of gold mixed with a basket of currencies from the region and oil or petrochemicals....
this is a gold and asset backed digital currency.
They will still have cash…physical dinar notes but it will be represented by the digital...
Exclusive: Qaani in Baghdad on a quick visit, handing over a special message to faction leaders and politicians
3/19/2025
An informed source revealed that the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Esmail Qaani, made a brief, unannounced visit to Baghdad.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that Qaani held an important meeting with leaders of the Coordination Framework, in the presence of leaders of the factions and the Popular Mobilization Forces, as well as the Iranian ambassador to Baghdad.
He added that the meeting emphasized the need for Iraq to adhere to neutrality and not interfere in the Syrian conflict, as well as to control the security situation and prevent any attempts outside the framework of the state, amid warnings of dire consequences. The meeting also discussed the expected events following the US attack on the Houthis in Yemen, in addition to dismantling the security situation and the events taking place in the Middle East.
He continued, "Qaani's meeting included Iranian messages to the government, including support for the Iraqi government's position to maintain this balance and not engage with any party against another. However, if Iraq is subjected to an Israeli strike, Iran will not remain silent and will support any position issued by the government or any response issued by armed factions."
This comes after informed sources revealed to Shafaq News Agency that US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a strongly worded warning message to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani during a phone call last Sunday.
He added that "Hegseth informed al-Sudani that any interference by Iraqi armed factions in the US targeting of the Houthis in Yemen would prompt Washington to launch a swift military response against those factions inside Iraq, and therefore they must be prevented from any interference, as happened previously in the wars in Lebanon and Gaza."
The sources added that "the US Secretary of Defense stressed to Al-Sudani the need to expedite the resolution of the issue of disarming the armed factions and work to dismantle them. He emphasized that this issue is of great interest to President Trump and his administration, while Al-Sudani confirmed that the government is working on this issue and is in dialogue with the armed parties to reach an agreement in this regard."
These warnings come after Israel resumed its attacks on the Gaza Strip, ending a fragile truce that had lasted for weeks since the ceasefire went into effect in January. They also came after the US began airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen following their threat to maritime navigation.
MZ: I am getting some interesting conversations from some of the groups who are starting to set dates for their redemption crews to be in the (mostly) western US.
MZ: I don’t want to get myself in trouble by giving out specifics….but some of the groups seem to be bringing in redemption crews specifically for 4b.
MZ: Not everything in tier 4a is already SKR’d (safe keeping receipts) so if they are starting to set this up …it gives me all kinds f warm fuzzies.
Al-Alaq: We are working to establish a data center that represents a successful foundation for digital transformation.
3/20/2025 Baghdad
Central Bank Governor Ali Al-Alaq confirmed on Thursday that the digital currency the bank intends to launch will enhance transparency and limit the flow of cash out of banks. He also revealed plans to establish a data center that will serve as a successful platform for digital transformation.
Al-Alaq said in a statement reported by the official news agency, and reviewed by "Al-Eqtisad News," that "financial technologies are developing rapidly, in line with the requirements of the financial and banking sector in terms of speed, accuracy, and economic efficiency, in addition to transparency and oversight. The reality of the digital revolution is imposing itself on all sectors, including the financial and banking sector, which is the most beneficiary of the major transformations taking place."
He added, "Digital currency can serve many purposes, limit the leakage of cash outside banks, and achieve a high degree of transparency, as funds can be tracked, whether in the areas of consumption, investment, savings, or even in legitimate and illegitimate businesses. It also provides important databases for analytical purposes, not just for the movement of paper money, in addition to the economic benefits digital currency offers from printing and tracking currency."
Al-Alaq confirmed that "we have begun taking steps in coordination with international organizations to review initial experiments in the digital currency file, which we do not wish to delay." He explained that "there are existing experiments in some countries in the region, and we are also following up with the Arab Monetary Fund to develop appropriate steps in this direction, and what is required is infrastructure.
" He continued, "The Central Bank has advanced infrastructure, as the new bank building contains a sophisticated data center, and we are also working to establish a data center that will represent a successful foundation for digital transformation." LINK