When it comes to cryptocurrency regulations Iran, the unique blend of state control, economic pressure, and sanctions evasion that defines how Bitcoin and other digital assets are used in the country. Also known as Iranian crypto policy, it’s not about banning crypto—it’s about owning it. While most countries struggle to catch up with decentralized finance, Iran turned crypto mining into a national tool for survival.
The IRGC crypto, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ control over massive mining operations using subsidized electricity. Also known as state-run Bitcoin farms, it’s how Iran bypasses U.S. financial restrictions and earns hard currency without touching the global banking system. Citizens pay for blackouts while government-run farms run 24/7. There’s no public ban on personal crypto use—but there’s no legal protection either. You can hold Bitcoin, but if you mine it without a government license, you risk fines or worse.
The crypto sanctions evasion, the strategic use of blockchain to move value outside traditional financial networks. Also known as crypto as a sanctions workaround, it’s not just about mining—it’s about trading, remittances, and offshore exchanges that avoid SWIFT. Iran’s government has quietly approved licensed mining, but only for state entities. Private miners are tolerated but not protected. And while the U.S. and EU target crypto transactions tied to Iranian entities, everyday users still find ways to use wallets and decentralized exchanges—often through VPNs and peer-to-peer networks.
What you won’t find in official reports: how ordinary Iranians use crypto to buy medicine, send money home, or pay for online services when banks cut them off. What you will find in the posts below: real examples of how Iran’s crypto landscape works under pressure—state-controlled mining rigs, the rise of underground P2P trading, and why fake airdrops targeting Iranians are more dangerous than ever. You’ll also see how other countries like Pakistan and Turkey handle crypto taxes and licensing—and why Iran’s approach is an outlier, not an anomaly.
Iran has imposed strict limits on crypto trading to protect the collapsing rial, capping stablecoin purchases at $5,000 annually and banning all crypto ads. Despite this, mining continues for state profit, and citizens still turn to crypto to survive inflation.
