When people talk about Iran cryptocurrency, the use of digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum within Iran’s tightly controlled financial system. Also known as crypto in Iran, it’s not just about speculation—it’s survival. The Iranian government officially bans crypto trading and payments through banks, but millions still use it daily. Why? Because the rial has lost over 80% of its value since 2018, and foreign currency access is locked down. Crypto isn’t a luxury here—it’s a lifeline.
One of the biggest drivers behind crypto use in Iran is crypto mining, the process of validating blockchain transactions using powerful computers, often powered by cheap state-subsidized electricity. Also known as Bitcoin mining Iran, it became a national phenomenon after 2020. At its peak, Iran was among the top five global mining hubs, with home setups in garages and warehouses running nonstop. The government even tried to tax and regulate it, but enforcement was messy. Many miners switched to offshore pools or sold hardware abroad—sometimes for cash hidden in suitcases. Meanwhile, crypto in sanctions, how digital assets bypass financial restrictions imposed by the U.S. and EU. Also known as sanctions evasion crypto, it’s the quiet backbone of Iran’s import economy. From buying medicine to paying for software licenses, Iranians use peer-to-peer crypto trades to avoid intermediaries that might freeze transactions. No bank? No problem. Just find a local trader on Telegram, send ETH, and get USD in cash. The Central Bank of Iran warns that crypto is illegal, and fines exist—but they’re rarely enforced on regular users. Instead, crackdowns target large exchanges or those linked to foreign entities.
What you won’t hear in official reports? That Iranians use decentralized exchanges like Uniswap and PancakeSwap more than centralized ones. That they trade stablecoins like USDT to protect savings. That crypto ATMs, though illegal, quietly appear in Tehran markets. And that the real risk isn’t getting fined—it’s falling for fake airdrops, phishing sites, or scams that promise easy money in a desperate economy. The posts below expose exactly how this works: who’s getting scammed, what tools are actually used, and how people navigate the gray zone between law and survival. You’ll see real cases—not theory. Just the facts, from the ground up.
Iran's IRGC controls most unlicensed crypto mining operations, stealing electricity to evade sanctions and fund regional conflicts-while ordinary citizens face daily blackouts and economic collapse.