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…
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…
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.
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.
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…
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.
