EXCLUSIVELY IN DINARS: A STATEMENT FROM THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ REGARDING THE “NATIONAL CARD” FOR ELECTRONIC PAYMENT
Do not cancel Visa and MasterCard
On Friday, July 4, 2025, the Central Bank of Iraq issued a clarification regarding the National Electronic Payment Card Project, noting that the project does not cancel or restrict existing international cards.
In context: The suspension of Iraqi payment cards internationally comes into effect
The bank said in a statement received by Al-Jabal, “The National Electronic Payment Card Project is an additional local option used exclusively within Iraq and in Iraqi dinars. It does not cancel or restrict existing international cards such as Visa and Mastercard . There are also no plans to cancel these cards or prohibit transactions in dollars outside Iraq, as their holders can still use them inside and outside the country as is currently the case.”
He added, “The project aims to reduce payment costs, enhance financial inclusion, diversify options for the public, and provide national cards to all institutions and segments within Iraq, while international cards remain the primary means of spending in dollars or other currencies outside Iraq and for purchases via global websites.”
MarkZ Disclaimer: Please consider everything on this call as my opinion. People who take notes do not catch everything and its best to watch the video so that you get everything in context. Be sure to consult a professional for any financial decisions
Member: Good morning one and all……hoping today is a great day
Member: I think I may be more confused now than in 2020! I know they said it be chaotic, but Damn
Member: Are paymasters those that will pay us- Will Zurich kick off the RV?????
MZ: Paymasters are for private, pre-arranged exchanges. More for bond holders than currencies. It’s the banks that will pay us.
Member: Mark, who is exactly in charge of the RV? Military, Treasury, Foreign actions, etc.? Hard to know sometimes.
Member: I am also wondering- who exactly is pulling the cord for the RV? Hard to know sometimes…Trump, Iraq, BRICS, Military, Treasury…. Who’s on first?
Member: Everything is on the pulse of July 14th deadline for ISO20022 Basel III compliance for all US banks...14th...15th???
Member: My wife bank is scrambling for ISO 20022
Member: one of my banks sent message they were closing ATMs and mobile banking 11th/13th....now my other bank sent similar message
Member: I think that the iso needs to come in to bring in blockchain, and I think it is necessary for the qfs. and then after that I think this is necessary for r. revaluation
Member: I believe it won’t go until ISO20020 is achieved
Member: Are we going to see a rate this week?
MZ: I don’t know. A very large segment of my bond groups think we will get a rate over the weekend.. But nothing concrete. It’s very clear they are trying to cloud the timing.
MZ: There are more expectations they will get spendable, usable dollars …some say they signed final contracts and should get funds this weekend. Other contacts are quiet and have gone MIA.
Member: This weekend works for me!!!!
MZ: Cross your fingers and hope.
Member: with all the banks updating this weekend….for Fednow and Iso202200….its possible.
Member: When is Iraq going to announce that the oil is flowing. Are the waiting on a rate first?
Member: July14th, top court to hear key cases on delayed Kurdistan salaries. Erbil, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court is set to review two critical lawsuits on Mon concerning the delayed payout
Member: How is Iraq able to put in so much infrastructure with low currency valuation?
Member: Iraq could keep a suppressed rate when using dollars but they are no longer using the dollars. They have to increase their rate or they’ll go down.IMO
Member: Anyone ever get the feeling Iraq doesn’t want to revalue their currency?
MZ: Many countries are positioning for Iraq being on the international stage. Including India and Kuwait. Many are waiting on this new rate. Of course it is happening
MZ: “American Magazine: Iraq quietly restores its role in International trade” Lots happening behind the scenes like the development road project.
MZ: “The KRG (Kurdistan) has notified the US that they will only allow Baghdad 48 hours to make a decision regarding the issue of funding the Kurdistan regions cival servant employees salaries” This is 48 hours from yesterday afternoon. This should force a conclusion for the oil and gas law…hopefully this week. We should get a decision within 48 hours.
MZ: Lots of thigs appear to be aligning. We need to get off “stuck”
MZ: This one is showing up in my inbox from some panicked individuals. “ IMF comments on Iraq dinar exchange rate” It projects the average exchange rate of the dinar against the US dollar as 1300….the same as 2024. Just a reminder- A similar statement came out the week before and the day of the Kuwait revaluation.
Member: Heard someone say that the RV could occur after the XRP/Ripple case is likely resolved next week. It just goes to show what don't know when or what the trigger will be.
Member: thanks for the encouraging news today Mark. Everyone enjoy your day.
Member: Stay positive and never quit!!!
StacieZ joins the stream today. Please listen to the replay for her information and opinions.
AMERICA IS TIGHTENING IRAQ’S FINANCIAL GRIP WITH THE SWIFT SYSTEM.
Economic expert, Faleh Al-Zubaidi, confirmed today, Thursday, that the United States of America is using the global financial transfer system “SWIFT” as a tool for political and economic blackmail, exploiting its dominance over the international financial system to impose pressure on countries that do not align with its interests, most notably Iraq.
Al-Zubaidi said in a statement to /Al-Maalouma/ Agency, that “the SWIFT system is used for global bank transfers, but it is actually subject to American control, which makes it an effective tool for punishing countries that deviate from the American line.” He pointed out that “Iraq is now on the list of countries targeted by the policy of hidden financial sanctions, in order to impose American dictates on its government.”
He added that “the severe restrictions Baghdad is suffering from in international financial transactions fall within the policy of economic pressure, and it is a repetition of what happened with Russia, Iran and China.
” Al-Zubaidi warned that “the continued American control over SWIFT poses a direct threat to Iraq’s financial security and economic autonomy.”
WASHINGTON IS “LURING” BAGHDAD INTO SANCTIONS. WHY IS THERE THIS SILENCE ON THE CENTRAL BANK CARDS?
Ziad Al-Hashemi warns of a “trap”
Economic expert, Ziad Al-Hashemi, warned the Central Bank of Iraq against falling into the trap of US Treasury sanctions.
He expressed his belief that Washington’s silence and failure to express any position on the recently announced “National Card Scheme” project may be part of the “monitor and punish” policy that Washington has followed for years in dealing with the Iraqi financial system, which has led to the issuance of sanctions against many Iraqi entities and individuals. Al-Hashemi reviewed this in detail, while calling for “learning the lesson” and exercising caution, while raising the levels of compliance and internal control to the highest levels to fortify the new financial system, so that the Central Bank itself does not fall into trouble!
(Monitor and then punish) This is the tactic followed by the US Treasury when dealing with official and unofficial Iraqi parties involved in fraudulent and illegal operations taking place inside and outside Iraq, which tarnish the name of Iraq!
After what appears to have been years of monitoring, the US Treasury has sanctioned, through three executive orders, Iraqi and other shadow businessmen active in the black economy and in the smuggling of Iranian oil and petrochemical products, which are under US sanctions, using official Iraqi documents and in collaboration with parties in Iran, Malaysia, Syria, and Yemen.
This measure is not the first of its kind, and it will not be the last. Previously, Iraqi banks, companies, and individuals have been sanctioned for operating within vast and complex networks of fraudulent black market operations that generate billions for their owners and damage the reputation of Iraq and its economy.
Despite all the manipulation, camouflage, fraud, and concealment methods employed by fraudulent, smuggling, and money laundering networks inside Iraq, and despite all the quasi-political support provided behind the scenes and in complete secrecy, it becomes clearer day after day that most or all of these fraudulent activities are being monitored, tracked, and monitored by the Treasury through sensors that appear to be deeply embedded within these fraudulent systems!
The delay in the US Treasury’s sanctions on these businesses is clearly to allow sufficient time and opportunity to uncover the entire network, its full activities, the extent of its involvement, those dealing with it, the amount of its funds, and other details that would make the case complete and ready for the implementation of sanctions!
The problem with Iraqi fraud, smuggling, and money laundering networks is that they fail to learn lessons or take heed from the experiences of those who came before them and were subject to sanctions. This allows them to continue to become more involved, expand their operations, and inflate their wealth, without caring that everything is being monitored and hacked, and that sanctions are coming at any moment!
Iraq, as a country, has been suffering from numerous sanctions imposed on parties and funds affiliated with the country. These sanctions have increased in a scandalous manner, to the point that there is no Iraqi economic component that has not been subjected to direct or indirect American sanctions, placing Iraq on the list of countries with a bad reputation and lacking legal, financial, and economic discipline.
The National Electronic Payment Card System announced by the Central Bank of Iraq has not been rejected or opposed by the Treasury, as if the Treasury wants to open the door to monitoring how the new system will be used and who will attempt to exploit it to circumvent controls and subsequently fall into the trap of US sanctions.
Therefore, the Central Bank of Iraq must be more cautious this time, learn from what happened previously, fully fortify the new system, and raise the level of compliance and internal oversight to the highest levels, so that it does not fall into the trap of American (monitoring and punishment) as a result of the incorrect implementation or fraudulent exploitation of its new system!