Information obtained by Channel8 indicates that illegal Forex and cryptocurrency trading continues to expand in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region despite official restrictions, with unregulated platforms exposing users to significant financial and legal risks.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi chaired the 15th regular session of the Council of Representatives, where members reviewed national developments and approved measures affecting customs payments and import procedures.

A sharp decline in silver prices has brought much of the precious-metal trade in the Kurdistan Region to a standstill, disrupting imports and leaving traders and investors facing significant losses.

The initiative is slated to restart operations on August 10, 2026, with the company mobilizing personnel to Basra.

Gold prices retreated Friday after reaching a two-month high, while oil prices moved higher as renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz kept energy markets under pressure.

The Kurdistan Region accounts for 30 percent of Iraq's entire industrial capacity, with Slemani holding a dominant share.