AN ECONOMIC OBSERVATORY REVEALS THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ’S CONDITIONS FOR BANKS TO TRADE IN CURRENCIES OTHER THAN THE DOLLAR
(Mnt Goat: Here it is in this article. Another step in the breakaway from sanctioned times, this time trade, just as I told you was coming and had to come. Am I a mind reader or what? Lolo..lol..lol.. )
An economic observatory announced the new conditions set by the Central Bank of Iraq for banks wishing to trade foreign currencies other than the dollar, such as the European “Euro” and the Chinese “Yuan,” noting that among these conditions is that “the bank’s capital must be 300 billion Iraqi dinars.”
The Eco Iraq Observatory explained in a press statement on Saturday, January 10, 2026, that “the Central Bank circulated a document entitled (Guidelines and Models for Assessing Minimum Requirements) for banks prohibited from dealing in dollars and wishing to work in other foreign currencies such as the European Euro, the Chinese Yuan, the UAE Dirham, and others, indicating that “this document is part of the banking sector reform program implemented by the Central Bank.”
The observatory noted that “the document included conditions, most notably that the bank’s capital be 300 billion dinars with a plan to reach 400 billion dinars by the end of 2028,” as well as “the bank having sufficient and regular liquidity to cover its obligations and the obligations of customers, in accordance with international banking regulations (LCR and NSFR).”
“The document emphasized the disclosure of the bank’s ownership, i.e., providing a complete and approved list of shareholders, with full disclosure of related parties,” according to the statement.
The Economic Affairs Observatory “Eco Iraq” had previously revealed that 35 out of 72 banks operating in Iraq were subject to US sanctions, either due to sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), i.e., the bank being placed on an international blacklist and its financial transactions being paralyzed or its dollar transactions being stopped, or as a “temporary regulatory measure” and not a penalty, to force the bank to comply with transparency.
This latest MarkZ update may be one of the most significant to date. Between official confirmation from Iraq, rising expectations for the Vietnamese dong, global instability in Iran and Venezuela, and a late-week timing window, the signals are aligning rapidly.
As MarkZ himself said — this could be a “drop the mic” moment.
Let’s break it all down.
⚠️ MarkZ Disclaimer
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 full context. Consult a professional before making any financial decisions.
🇻🇳 Vietnamese Dong Update: Higher Than Expected?
A key question was raised:
Q:Do you still think the dong will come in at $2.35?
MarkZ’s Response:
“I still think it will come in around $2.25… but I am being told I am wrong and it will be way higher.”
Question: Do you still think the dong will come in at $2.35? MarkZ: I still think it will come in around $2.25…but am being told I am wrong and it will be way higher.
The Iranian currency crashed this week…yesterday in the wee hours. I am a bit concerned and think Iraq may have already gone if not for what is happening right now in Iran. Everything happening in Venezuela and Iran looks good for the global reset …but may have slowed things down a bit. But I am still hearing things are well underway and we are on the precipice for our blessing.
Here is the big one…I could just drop the mic and walk away…”Prime Minister: The Government has completed the path of Financial and Economic Reform” Sudani confirmed this on Monday. The take away - Sudani says they completed it. When he first took office he said when they completed it - they would return the dinar to its former glory. Very positive stuff in Iraq.
Bruce [via WiserNow]
We've heard information that was pointing toward...later in the week, which would be anywhere from Thursday all the way to Sunday.
LEARN ABOUT THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVES IN IMPLEMENTING THE ASYCUDA CUSTOMS SYSTEM
The Center for Strategic Research and Studies affirmed on Saturday that the implementation of theASYCUDA system and the recent package of customs procedures is not primarily aimed at compensating for the decline in oil revenues, but rather falls within the framework of regulating international trade and protecting the national economy.
The center stated in an analytical study followed by Al-Sa’a Network that “the simultaneous launch of the ASYCUDA system, the pre-calculation of customs tariffs, the collection of tax deposits, and the activation of quality control, with the decline in public revenues, led to a mistaken belief that the main objective of these measures is to increase non-oil revenues,” indicating that “this perception does not reflect the essence of customs policies.”
He explained that “an effective customs policy is based on 4 main pillars: protecting the national product, improving the trade balance, and directing the consumption pattern in line with the state’s economic goals, while increasing non-oil revenues comes as a secondary result, not as an end in itself.”
He pointed out that “customs tariff revenues, even in the best of circumstances, will not exceed 8 to 10 trillion dinars annually, an amount that only covers one month’s expenses of the general budget,” noting that “a decrease in the price of a barrel of oil by $5 is enough to completely eliminate these revenues.”
(I was amazed at this statement as we have been told many times through other articles the funds collected could rival the oil revenues if they were collected and managed correctly. Is this article talking about just the funds from current imports today or from a standpoint of Iraq being a brokerage house with massive imports and exports through the port of Faw and the Development Road?)
The center explained that “the real goal of these measures is to regulate imports and redirect consumption patterns towards alternative economic activities that contribute to stimulating non-oil sectors and increasing GDP,” noting that “the current implementation mechanism has led to an economic shock affecting citizens, merchants, and private sector employees, and has threatened job stability as a result of potential workforce reductions.”
The study criticized “implementing all the measures at once,” arguing that “a gradual approach would have mitigated the shock by starting with the most valuable and impactful goods, and postponing some systems such as tax trusts and quality control to later stages.”
(Iraq did do a multi-prong approach. Anything they do would be a shock as customs and tariffs needed a lot of work to charge appropriately and safeguard the funds.)
The center called for “a comprehensive review of the customs tariff, particularly in the electrical and electronic equipment sector,” stressing “the need to form a specialized committee that sets a clear and declared vision for customs policy, and determines tariff rates for each product and each country of origin, taking into account the reality of the trade balance.”
The center concluded by warning that “the rigidity of the customs tariff policy and its inability to be adjusted according to market variables and economic indicators will lead to its failure to achieve its objectives.”
(I am sure the IMF and the WTO are on top of this effort with ASYCUDA and are helping Iraq in its implementation.)
Major developments are unfolding behind the scenes in Iraq, and according to Frank26, these events may be directly connected to the final stages of Iraq’s monetary reform.
Rumors, confirmations, and strategic messaging are converging around one central theme: 👉 Currency sovereignty and control of Iraq’s future.
Let’s break this down clearly and calmly.
⚠️ Frank26 Disclaimer
This is my opinion (IMO). Interpretations are based on experience, patterns, and current information. Always use discernment and consult professionals for financial decisions.
A lot of you came to me and said Sudani stepped down...Who did I tell you is in charge of the monetary reform? IMO Donald Trump. If you're not getting along, you're going to get lost. I don't care who you are.
It is possible Sudani may not be the Prime Minister...It is possible he has stepped aside. We don't know the full results yet. It's possible Donald Trump is going to tell him, 'Get your ass back in there.' I don't know.
But we do know Sudani decided to say, 'I'm going to step aside.' Apparently Trump got a bad report from Savaya...IMO Sudani blew it...Maliki? Of course not...The reason I suggest to you al-Awadi is because al-Awadi is Sudani's right hand man...This guy maybe will listen to Trump, play fair with your currency and pay up.
Omar
Sudani on TV...He mentioned many things like celebrating a national holiday...talking about the United Nations leaving Iraq.
He spent such a great amount of time talking to us about the sovereignty of our currency, not the sovereignty of our nation, we know that. He kept saying our currency is sovereign...I can't express how important that is.
HARRIS: AMERICA WILL TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO DISMANTLE PRO-IRANIAN “TERRORIST” MILITIAS
The acting head of the US mission in Iraq, Joshua Harris, confirmed on Friday that Washington is moving towards taking immediate action to dismantle what he described as “Iranian-backed terrorist militias,” stressing that the inclusion of “militias” in the new government is contrary to Iraqi-American relations.
A statement from the US Embassy in Iraq, received by Shafaq News Agency, said that Harris met with the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, to consult on common interests in protecting Iraqi sovereignty, defeating terrorism, enhancing regional security, and strengthening economic relations that benefit both Americans and Iraqis.
Harris reiterated that “the inclusion of pro-Iranian terrorist militias in the Iraqi government, in any capacity, is incompatible with a strong US-Iraqi partnership.” He added, “The United States will continue to emphasize clearly the need for immediate action to dismantle terrorist militias with foreign agendas that threaten Iraq’s sovereignty, stability, and economy.”
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