Syria's Central Bank officially commenced the exchange of the country's new currency on Saturday, January 3, 2026, marking a significant step in economic reforms under the transitional administration following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad. The process, which began after months of preparation, aims to restore confidence in the Syrian pound through redenomination and redesigned banknotes free of regime-era imagery.
First Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Mokhles Nazer, announced the launch in a post on the social media platform X. “Today, with God’s help and strength, the process of exchanging the Syrian pound officially begins after months of continuous and diligent work,” Nazer said. “Since early morning, representatives of private banks and exchange companies have headed to Central Bank branches in the governorates to receive the new currency.” He confirmed that the new Syrian pound entered circulation as of that day.
The new banknotes, unveiled earlier in the week, feature a redenomination removing two zeros—converting every 100 old pounds to one new pound—without altering the currency's underlying value. Designs emphasize national symbols like agriculture, nature, and everyday life, including roses, wheat, olives, and oranges, deliberately omitting portraits of Assad family members that adorned previous notes. This shift symbolizes a break from the past and reinforces a unified national identity.
Central Bank Governor Abdulkader Husrieh (also spelled Abdelkader Husarieh or similar) had announced the plan in late December 2025, describing it as the start of a "new economic and monetary phase." A presidential decree authorized the reform, granting the bank authority to manage timelines and exchange centers for a smooth transition. Both old and new currencies will circulate concurrently for up to 90 days, potentially extendable, with no fees imposed on exchanges.
The initiative addresses practical challenges from hyperinflation during the civil war, where the pound depreciated dramatically, forcing citizens to carry large bundles of cash for routine transactions. Officials emphasize that the redenomination simplifies accounting and daily dealings while signaling financial sovereignty in the post-Assad era.
This monetary overhaul forms part of broader reforms since Assad fled to Russia in December 2024, ending the Baath Party's decades-long rule after a rapid rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). A transitional government under President Ahmad al-Sharaa (also known as Ahmed al-Sharaa or Abu Mohammed al-Jolani) took shape in early 2025, focusing on stabilizing institutions, lifting sanctions, and rebuilding the war-torn economy.
The new administration has prioritized economic recovery, including attracting investment and normalizing banking. Removing Assad-era symbols from currency aligns with efforts to distance from the previous regime's legacy of repression and corruption. Economists note that while redenomination eases logistics, sustained stability requires deeper measures like boosting production, curbing inflation, and rebuilding trust in institutions.
Public reactions appear mixed but largely pragmatic, with citizens welcoming easier transactions amid ongoing hardships. Bankers and officials have assured a "smooth and orderly" process, with detailed guidelines disseminated via press conferences and media campaigns to prevent confusion or speculation.
As distribution ramps up through branches nationwide, the central bank monitors markets to maintain exchange rate stability and supply liquidity as needed. The reform represents a symbolic and technical milestone, testing the transitional government's ability to deliver tangible improvements.
In a nation emerging from prolonged conflict, this currency launch underscores aspirations for renewal, with leaders framing it as a foundation for broader prosperity and unity.
