Iran | Crypto

The Central Bank of Iran reportedly stockpiled more than half a billion dollars worth of USDt amid escalating protests and crypto usage in the country. Blockchain analytics platform Elliptic reported that the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) acquired more than half a billion dollars worth of Tether’s USDt, with indications that the stablecoins were used to prop up the country’s fiat currency. In a Wednesday report, Elliptic said Iran’s central bank had about $507 million in USDt (USDT), the US dollar-pegged stablecoin issued by Tether. According to the platform, it was likely that the bank used the digital assets to address the collapse of Iran’s rial or settle international trade. “The CBI's accumulation of USDT began in earnest during a period of extreme economic volatility,” said Elliptic. “The value of the rial had halved in just eight months, to a record low against the dollar (at the time). Iran's central bank may have attempted to stem this decline by buying rials with USDT on Nobitex, effectively using cryp...

Elliptic traced more than $500 million in USDT tied to Iran’s central bank, suggesting the stablecoin was used to manage foreign-exchange pressures and build a “sanctions-proof” alternative to dollar banking.

Bitcoin holds near $95K as Belgium’s KBC Bank launches crypto trading, Iran’s $7.8B surge, and quantum risk debate shape outlook. The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC Holds $95K as Belgium Bank Enters Crypto, Iran’s $7.8B Boom, Quantum Risk Debate appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin has become an “element of resistance" in Iran, providing liquidity in an increasingly restricted economic environment, says Chainalysis. Crypto usage in Iran has spiked amid the country’s mass protests, with a surge of Iranians withdrawing Bitcoin to preserve value amid instability, according to Chainalysis. Protests in Iran began around Dec. 28 over worsening economic conditions, after the Iranian rial hit record lows against the US dollar. Demonstrations escalated nationwide, with Iran’s regime responding by cutting internet access, carrying out mass arrests, and reportedly killing thousands. Chainalysis said in a report on Thursday that Iran’s crypto ecosystem hit $7.78 billion in 2025, which accelerated amid the ongoing unrest with a substantial increase in the number of daily crypto transfers and the amounts transacted. Read more

Iran’s crypto activity accelerated in 2025, a new report says, driven by civilians and state actors turning to Bitcoin during periods of unrest.

Iran's currency, the rial, has collapsed to around 1 million per US dollar, a record that spotlights how quickly savings can be wiped out when trust in money breaks. The currency lost nearly half its value across 2025, with official inflation reaching 42.5% in December. Recent protests erupting in Tehran's Grand Bazaar, triggered by the […] The post Can Bitcoin help amid internet blackouts after Iran’s currency collapsed 95% overnight? appeared first on CryptoSlate.

The two companies transferred a total of $619.1 million in funds to wallets linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 2024.

The dual life of stablecoins: A lifeline for citizens and a tool for sanctioned entities involved in Venezuela and Iran's economic crises. Recent turmoil in Venezuela and Iran has again put the spotlight on the duality of stablecoins, with the US dollar-backed assets such as Tether acting as both a savior for embattled citizens and a tool for blacklisted entities to evade sanctions.  Both Venezuela and Iran have been catching headlines at the beginning of 2026 amid political uncertainty and civil unrest. With both facing a host of sanctions, inflation, political instability, and a cost-of-living crisis, crypto and stablecoins have become an important part of the ecosystem.  Iran has seen protests erupt across the country over the past two weeks in response to worsening economic conditions and the Iranian rial tanking to record lows against the US dollar.   Read more

Protests began in Iran in response to worsening economic conditions and as the Iranian rial hit record lows against the US dollar. Internet access in Iran was cut on Thursday by the government as protests spread across the Middle Eastern country, raising the question: Can its citizens still use crypto?  Around seven million people, out of the country’s 92 million population, are estimated to be crypto users, according to Statista. TRM Labs tracked roughly $3.7 billion in total crypto flows in Iran between January and July 2025. But internet access has been cut off in the country as protests began over worsening economic conditions, and after the Iranian rial hit record lows against the US dollar. Read more

As Iran’s rial hits record lows, Bitcoin is resurfacing in public discourse. Its decentralized design is often cited as a contrast to state-managed fiat currencies. Iran’s 2025 currency collapse sharply reduced the rial’s purchasing power, eroding household savings, pushing prices higher and weakening confidence in the banking system. As fiat stress intensified, public debate in Iran widened to include financial alternatives. Bitcoin entered these discussions largely because it operates outside domestic monetary and banking frameworks. Historical cases from Argentina, Lebanon and Turkey point to a recurring pattern. When national currencies lose credibility, digital assets tend to receive greater attention in public discourse. Read more

Iran’s energy chief says 95% of the country’s 427,000 crypto mining rigs operate illegally, consuming massive power and destabilizing the national grid. Iran’s crypto mining industry is facing a widespread illegal mining crisis, with authorities estimating that over 95% of the country’s 427,000 active mining devices are operating without authorization. Akbar Hasan Beklou, CEO of the Tehran Province Electricity Distribution Company, said on Sunday that Iran has become the world’s fourth-largest crypto mining hub, fueled by the country’s heavily subsidized electricity prices, which have made it a “paradise for illegal miners.” These unlicensed operations consume more than 1,400 megawatts of power around the clock, placing immense pressure on the national grid and threatening the stability of electricity supplies. Read more

Crypto mining is putting serious pressure on Iran’s power grid, now driving up to 20% of the country’s energy shortfall. The post Crypto Mining Blamed for Up to 20% of Iran’s Power Imbalance appeared first on Cryptonews.

The Iran-Israel conflict reportedly cost the two nations roughly $25.5 billion, worth over 240,837 BTC at current prices, according to a report by Opportunity Cost, a digital tool that translates global spending into Bitcoin and Satoshi equivalents. According to the platform, Israel fired Arrow interceptor missiles, each costing around $3 million or 28.3 BTC, to counter Iranian missiles […] The post Iran and Israel spent over $25B during the ’12-day war,’ equivalent to 1% of total Bitcoin supply appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Bitcoin (BTC) whipsawed below $100,000 at about 4 p.m. UTC on June 23 and reclaimed nearly $104,000 three hours later as traders processed news of an Iranian missile strike on a US air base in Qatar that caused no casualties. As of press time, Bitcoin was trading at $103,801.74, up 4.5% over the past 24 […] The post Bitcoin whipsaws back to $104k after losing six-figures as Iran’s failed attack signals end of tensions appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Global oil markets are on high alert following U.S. airstrikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities, Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, with fears mounting over a potential closure of the critical Strait of Hormuz. The military action, announced by President Donald Trump last night, has intensified geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and raised concerns about […] The post Oil markets tense amid U.S. airstrikes on Iran, while Bitcoin price holds steady appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Trump offers light relief for Bitcoin price action while calling Fed Chair Jerome Powell a "stupid person" with interest-rate cut hopes absent. Key points: Bitcoin sees light relief as US President Trump reveals that Iran had been in touch. Trump calls Fed Chair Jerome Powell “stupid” as markets see no chance of an interest-rate cut at the June 18 FOMC meeting. Read more

Bitcoin (BTC) remained near the $105,000 mark on June 13, a sign of relative resilience following a sharp dip triggered by escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. As of press time, Bitcoin was trading at $105,600, having recovered the previous night’s pullback to end the day down 0.11% over the past 24 hours. The turbulence […] The post Bitcoin holds steady at $105k despite escalating tensions between Iran, Israel appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Crypto Plunges, Israel strikes Iran, Gold & Oil Soar FOMO HOUR EP378 Crypto plunges as Israel strikes Iran. $1.1bn liquidations, Wynn liquidated again. GameStop upsizes debt raise to $2.25bn, to buy BTC. 21 companies launched BTC reserve in last 30 days. Sharplink falls 70% after equity re-sale announced. Sharplink acquires $463m ETH. DFDV announces $5bn equity line to buy SOL. Tony G launches HYPE treasury with $400k HYPE. DOT community proposes BTC treasury. Phantom allows USDC payments to Shopify. Walmart & Amazon consider issuing stablecoins. USDC natively launched on XRP ledger . Trident Digital to raise $500m to buy XRP. DTCC exploring stablecoin usage. Coinbase collabs with AmEx on BTC cashback card. Coinbase to allow DEX & perp trading in US. SEC delays decision on several altcoin ETFs. Tether acquires 32% in Elemental Altus for $92m. Tokenised gold goes live on Hyperliquid. FOMO HOUR brings you the biggest daily news, updates and events from inside and outside of the crypto and macro spheres! Join ho...

Bitcoin fell sharply late Thursday after Israel launched strikes on Iran, rattling global markets and sparking a flight from risk assets.