Syria to launch new currency on January 1

Syria will launch a new national currency from January 1, 2026, the country’s central bank governor Abdulkader Husarieh has announced.

The monetary reform includes removing two zeros from the Syrian pound and allowing a 90-day period of dual circulation, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (Sana) reported, quoting Husarieh.

“The move is the beginning of a new economic and monetary phase for the country,” he was quoted as saying.

Under the plan, every 100 Syrian pounds will be converted into one unit of the new Syrian pound. All bank balances will be converted to the new currency at the beginning of next year.

At the same time, the overall money supply will be maintained without increase or reduction, the governor said.

The currency exchange will be carried out without any charge, with no commissions, fees, or taxes. All public and private entities need to apply the official conversion standard to prices, salaries and financial obligations.

Official exchange-rate bulletins will be issued in both currencies to ensure transparency and prevent speculation, Husrieh said.

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The central bank is closely monitoring markets to stabilise the exchange rate and will supply Syrian pounds if demand increases against foreign currency.

“Our policy is financial discipline, with no room for inflation,” Husrieh said.

Top international companies are printing the new banknotes to prevent counterfeiting, he said, without giving any names.