ISIS Calls For The Return Of The Gold StandardEven though the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), simply known as the Islamic State (IS) today, may not be a United Nations member state, it's certainly is trying to function as one.

ByKareem Chehayeb

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock

Even though the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), simply known as the Islamic State (IS) today, may not be a United Nationsmember state, it's certainly is trying to function as one. One important aspect of a state? Currency. Of course, the Islamic State are not opting for the global monetary system of using fiat money, claiming that it is blasphemous and doomed to failure. They've brought back the golden dinar, as well as the silver dirham and copper fils. The news was announced during a one-hour video via Al-Hayat Media Center, the Islamic State's media arm.

They claim that a single gold dinar coin (which is 21-carat and weighs over four grams) would be worth US$139. Now, before your neighborhood Ron Paul supporter or self-proclaimed Austrian economist gets too excited, the IS hasn't implemented the currency just yet. It still pays its gunmen and trades in American dollars, while local business in its controlled territories trade in their respective currencies. Finally, IS continues to collect taxes in local currencies as well.

Overall, it sounds like another propaganda campaign about life in the so-called IS. While it's frightening that theyraise capitalon their own without relying on donations like Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations, it isn't for certain that they will implement a universal currency of this nature in their territories, especially as they're all contested grounds at this point

Wavy Line
Kareem Chehayeb

Former Columnist & Online Liaison, Entrepreneur Middle East

Related Topics

Devices

一个循序渐进的向导Building Your First Mobile App

If you have the right reasons, follow these 10 recommendations to getting your product to the public.

Growing a Business

This 25-Year-Old Has 5 Restaurants, $6 Million in Revenue and a Simple Slogan: 'Don't Be a Dick'

Here's how François Reihani started Dallas-based La La Land Kind Cafe, which hires teenagers and young adults as they exit the foster system and helps them build careers.

Growing a Business

From Idea to Successful Exit — 8 Lessons Learned From Building and Selling a Startup

Here are a few valuable lessons all entrepreneurs can apply as they build (and eventually exit) their startups.

Marketing

No Content Marketing? You Just Handed The Market To Your Competitors

Is content the best way to market your business?

Starting a Business

Five Steps To Turn Your Business Idea Into A Reality

For a business idea to succeed, you need to follow methodical procedures to ensure you launch from a firm base.