FIRST GOVERNMENT COMMENT ON ADOPTING 1300 DINARS TO THE DOLLAR: A CALCULATED MONETARY MOVE
The economic advisor to the Iraqi government, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Thursday that the move to adopt the exchange rate of the US dollar at 1300 dinars and to raise the value of the Iraqi dinar in a limited way comes within a calculated coordination between the fiscal and monetary policies.
Saleh told Shafaq News Agency that the decision gives economic prospects a positive signal, reflecting the strength of the country’s foreign exchange reserves and the ability of monetary policy to confidently manage stability.
He explained that this step indicates that fiscal policy is moving towards the correct adjustment in maximizing its real revenues, away from resorting to what is known as “monetary adjustment,” i.e., using the exchange rate as an indirect financing tool, instead of achieving public finance goals through its original tools in mobilizing resources and controlling spending.
He added that this calculated monetary signal sends a clear message that economic stability and containing inflationary expectations remain a priority, and that the independence of monetary policy is still in place and effective, while at the same time providing an incentive for fiscal policy to activate its tools efficiently and responsibly, in order to ensure the sustainability of the macroeconomy.
The Central Bank of Iraq had decided to adopt the exchange rate of the US dollar at 1300 dinars within the 2026 budget, according to an official document revealed on Thursday.
MarkZ reports increased bond activity, possible payments to some bond holders, heightened banking alerts, Iraqi Parliament returning to work, and geopolitical shifts that could remove Iranian influence—making the coming week potentially pivotal for the RV process.
MarkZ Disclaimer (Important)
“Please consider everything on this call as my opinion. People who take notes do not catch everything and it’s best to watch the video to get everything in context. Be sure to consult a professional for any financial decisions.”
Saturday Morning Call Overview
The call opened with energy and optimism as moderators welcomed the community and CBD Gurus Matt and Lucas kicked off the first 45 minutes before MarkZ delivered his news update.
The tone of the call was clear: 👉 Multiple indicators are converging at the same time.
Bond Market Intel: Increased Activity and Possible Payments
MarkZ shared carefully worded but powerful insights from his
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
Mod: GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY SATURDAY EVERYONE! CBD GURUS MATT AND LUCAS KICK OFF THE FIRST 45 MINS AND THEN MARK GIVES THE NEWS UPDATE
Member: Good morning Mark, Mod team, fellow RVers, and CBD gurus. hope everyone is having a blessed weekend
MZ: It will be a little fun this morning for the news. I have things from bond contacts…..I cannot share everything because I have agreed not to. This is for the personal safety of their funds.
MZ: I have a number of bond contacts telling me that there are a lot more bond related Historical artifacts or boxes of very historic stuff came to the market….three different buyers and a mad scramble
MZ: I have one contact tell me that absolutely some fellow bond holders have been paid. But he won’t give me details. I will be trying to find confirmations but they do expect something big to happen this coming week in the revaluation process.
MZ: A number of bond contacts are eying this upcoming week for great movement. Does this mean we may know the date ? I do not know but expect a substantial amount of news between now and Monday based on the overwhelming amount of messages I got last night
MZ: Group rumors are about the same as bond rumors about this coming week. Most seem to be focused on Tuesday as getting some positive news. But I have had a couple folks in groups say that timing wise …things are starting to process…..we will see.
MZ: Stay calm as there are a lot of indicators right now pointing at the same time.
MZ: We have Iraqi Parliament going back to work tomorrow and I think Monday is going to be a big news day for a change. I am pretty excited about this one.
MZ: Dominating the news in Iraq is non-oil revenues. And possibly reducing the Customs rates or possibly postponing and going in with levels . this is the same law passed years ago and finally implementing …..of course people are screaming about it.
MZ: They have been asking Sudani to sit in and preside on these meetings. I think they have figured out things will not work without Sudani right now. There is a number of sensitive subjects for tomorrow in Iraq which means that Monday should be a big news day for them as well.
MZ: Rumors from Iran is that overnight Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was moved into a bunker and that the Iranian guard has been routed and removed from the streets. Possibly their chain of command is imploding. If any of this is accurate we may be seeing the end of the Iranian regime from 1979. If so this is very historic.
MZ: If true they wont have to worry about Iranian influence in Iraq any more and will be free to pull the trigger.
MZ: There was a little bit of a leak at Goldman Sacs. They believe silver could go to $412. They quate the reason which is about a 8.7 billion oz. short.
MZ: The news is really coming loose…..now we have to see what is real. I think Monday morning will have far better than normal news. I am expecting some fun stuff early in the week to tell us where we are headed.
MZ: My banking contacts that did not work this weekend gave me an update ….They were told to (what it appears) “enjoy your last weekend off for a few months” I am excited about this news. But stay grounded as we find out what is real and what is not.
Member: Mark... WF Bank in Kansas posted on market "Currency exchanges after Jan 10 will be appointment only"
MZ: Wow…we have had some interesting bank stories as of late …many informed they will see this soon but don’t know the exact timing…..sent to me by you guys.
MZ: This is going to be a crazy week…..buckle up…we may have run out of rope and done kicking that can.
Member: Have a very blessed weekend everyone and see you all Monday morning for coffee and am so looking forward to it. I love and appreciate you all.
Member: Really hope this is our last weekend broke.
Unregulated Digital Revenues Pose Financial Risks In Iraq, Expert Warns
2026-01-11 Shafaq News– Baghdad Iraq’s rapidly expanding digital content sector operates largely without regulation, allowing significant online revenues to move outside state oversight and increasing financial risk, a member of the Dijlah Center for Strategic Planning warned.
Speaking to Shafaq News on Sunday, Ali Karim Idhayib noted that the spread of social media, especially live streaming and paid content, has created parallel cash flows beyond existing controls, cautioning that the absence of clear rules on income disclosure, taxation, and supervision leaves the sector vulnerable to misuse, including tax evasion and the movement of funds with unclear origins under media or entertainment labels.
According to Chatham House, a London-based policy institute, Iraq’s digital economy is expanding faster than the state’s ability to monitor it, driven by a surge in online retail, ride-hailing platforms, and content monetization over the past five years. While these sectors have become a key opportunity for Iraq’s youth, who make up more than 60% of the population and face unemployment exceeding 35%, the think tank noted that weak infrastructure, unstable regulations, limited financing, and fragmented oversight are major constraints.
“The challenge is not technology itself, but how it is managed,” Idhayib stressed, pointing to international models that require transparency, integrate digital earnings into tax systems, and coordinate with major platforms. Iraq, he added, needs a similar framework adapted to local conditions.
According to a UN assessment cited by Mnt Goat, Iraq has become “remarkable and unrecognizable” compared to years ago, strengthening confidence in its institutions and moving steadily toward economic stability beyond oil dependency.
Mnt Goat Analysis: A Major UN Endorsement of Iraq’s Progress
In a powerful confirmation of long-term reform, Mnt Goat points to a recent United Nations assessment that validates what many observers have been watching unfold inside Iraq: the country is fundamentally changing—economically, institutionally, and strategically.
This is not speculation. This is international recognition.
UN Assessment: Iraq Is “Unrecognizable” Compared to the Past
UN Coordinator in Iraq, Ghulam Ishaq Zai, offered a striking evaluation of the nation’s progress:
“Iraq has strengthened confidence in its institutions and is moving steadily towards stability… the country has become remarkable and unrecognizable compared to what it was years ago.”
This statement alone carries enormous weight because it reflects:
Independent international observation
Long-term development benchmarks
Institutional and governance confidence
Why This Statement Is So Important
Mnt Goat highlights the real significance behind the UN’s words:
“This shows us the country is slowly moving away from oil as the sole source of revenue.”
For decades, Iraq’s economy—and its currency—were anchored almost entirely to oil. That model limited growth, increased vulnerability to sanctions, and stalled monetary reform.
That model is now changing.
Iraq’s Budget Is No Longer Oil-Centric
According to Mnt Goat, even Iraq’s budget framework is evolving:
“Now even the budget is no longer evolving around oil.”
Instead, Iraq is shifting toward:
Non-oil revenue streams
Trade and customs income
Domestic production
Service-sector growth
Tax and infrastructure-based revenues
This transition is essential for long-term currency stability.
From Oil Dependency to Overall Economic Stability
Mnt Goat emphasized the broader implication:
“They are moving to general terms of overall economic stability which means all revenue, including revenues from non-oil sources.”
This is the economic foundation required for:
Currency normalization
Exchange rate reform
Global financial integration
Reduced exposure to sanctions
“They are truly moving away from the sanctioned rules of everything evolving around oil.”
That point cannot be overstated.
Why This Matters for Iraq’s Currency Future
A diversified economy:
Supports a stronger currency
Reduces volatility
Improves investor confidence
Aligns with IMF and UN standards
This UN-backed assessment confirms Iraq is now meeting the prerequisites that were previously missing.
Q&A: Mnt Goat UN Assessment Explained
Q: Who issued this assessment of Iraq?
A: The United Nations, through its coordinator in Iraq, Ghulam Ishaq Zai.
Q: What does “unrecognizable” really mean?
A: Institutional trust, stability, and economic structure have fundamentally improved.
Q: Is Iraq still dependent on oil?
A: Oil remains important, but Iraq is actively diversifying revenue sources.
Q: Why is this important for monetary reform?
A: A diversified economy is a core requirement for sustainable currency value.
What to Watch Next
Continued UN and IMF commentary
Budget allocations beyond oil
Growth in non-oil sectors
Infrastructure and trade expansion
Currency reform groundwork
Final Thoughts
Mnt Goat’s reaction says it best:
WOW!
This is not hype. This is confirmation.
When the United Nations declares Iraq “remarkable and unrecognizable”, it signals that the country has crossed a threshold—from survival to stability, from dependency to diversification.
Article: "UN ASSESSMENT: IRAQ TODAY IS UNRECOGNIZABLE COMPARED TO YEARS AGO" Quote: "The UN coordinator in Iraq, Ghulam Ishaq Zai, gave an optimistic assessment of the situation in the country, stressing that Iraq has strengthened confidence in its institutions and is moving steadily towards stability, while noting that the country has become “remarkable and unrecognizable” compared to what it was years ago."
This shows us the country is slowly moving away from oil as the sole source of revenue and now even the budget is no longer evolving around oil.
WOW! They are moving to general terms of overall economic stability which means all revenue, including revenues from non-oil sources. WOW! They are truly moving away from the sanctioned rules of everything evolving around oil. WOW!
US Chargé d'Affaires: The United States emphasizes the need for immediate action to dismantle "militias" in Iraq
The US Embassy in Baghdad stated that the United States will continue to clearly emphasize the need for immediate action to dismantle militias in Iraq.
In a post on its X platform, the embassy said that Chargé d'Affaires Joshua Harris met with Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Hikma Movement, to discuss shared interests in protecting Iraqi sovereignty, defeating terrorism, enhancing regional security, and strengthening economic ties that benefit both Americans and Iraqis.
Harris reiterated that "the inclusion of Iranian-backed terrorist militias in the Iraqi government, in any capacity, is incompatible with a strong US-Iraqi partnership."
He added that "the United States will continue to clearly emphasize the need for immediate action to dismantle terrorist militias that serve foreign agendas and threaten Iraq's sovereignty, stability, and economy." link