Fear has taken hold of Iraq’s currency markets. link to My FX Buddies Blog The Iraqi dinar continued its sharp decline on Tuesday, with the exchange rate for $100 rising to 157,000 dinars in Erbil — up from 149,000 dinars just one day earlier. Currency traders say the rapid move reflects widespread public concern and a growing rush to hold U.S. dollars instead of the local currency. According to Tahsin Khushnaw, a currency exchange office owner in Erbil, the balance inside exchange shops has flipped dramatically. Where cash was once evenly split between dinars and dollars, he says nearly three-quarters is now held in dollars, as citizens scramble to protect their savings. Several factors are converging to drive the panic. If you'd like to Support the channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cash.app/$tishwash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.... ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/tishwash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.... ⁠

Administrative disruptions in Iraq’s official dollar distribution system — including the rollout of a new electronic customs platform — have limited merchants’ access to bank-supplied dollars. Forced into the open market, traders are paying higher prices, pushing the exchange rate even further. Political uncertainty is adding fuel to the fire. Growing fears of U.S. sanctions linked to militia involvement in the next government, combined with warnings about potential restrictions on Iraq’s access to oil revenues, have shaken confidence in future stability. At the same time, the Central Bank of Iraq has intensified enforcement, issuing 22 financial penalties totaling 34.4 billion dinars against local banks in just three months. While aimed at compliance, these actions have contributed to market unease amid already fragile conditions. This domestic turmoil is unfolding alongside a powerful global signal: gold prices have surged past $5,100 per ounce, reflecting heightened geopolitical risk, central-bank buying, and expectations of lower U.S. interest rates. Economists warn that Iraq may be approaching a dangerous crossroads, where economic stability, political decisions, and security concerns are now inseparably linked — and where ordinary citizens are bearing the heaviest cost through rising prices and shrinking purchasing power. 📌 Why the dinar is falling so fast 📌 What’s driving the rush into dollars 📌 How U.S. pressure and policy uncertainty factor in 📌 What this means for everyday Iraqis 🎧 Listen in for the full breakdown as we connect market fear, policy pressure, and global signals. Thanks for Watching! Following Iraq’s Story — Stay Tuned 💰🔥