#1
#1 out of 1
world1d ago
Inside Iran’s Growing $7.8 Billion Crypto Ecosystem
- IRGC-led crypto activity in Iran surpassed half of the nation’s on-chain value in Q4 2025, signaling rising influence over the crypto landscape.
- Iran’s crypto market reached about $7.78 billion in 2025, with rapid growth tied to political events and conflict at home and abroad.
- Withdrawals from Iranian exchanges to personal Bitcoin wallets surged during mass protests, signaling a flight to safety.
- Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a safe haven and liquidity option for Iranians amid a collapsing rial and sanctions pressure.
- IRGC-linked wallets may be undercounted in official estimates, highlighting potential gaps in sanctions-related visibility.
- Analysts link crypto activity spikes to major domestic and geopolitical events, using blockchain data as a real-time barometer.
- The report ties Iran’s crypto growth to broader political and economic pressures, including rial depreciation and sanctions risk.
- IRGC’s on-chain activity rose as the group expanded its influence over Iran’s economy and political institutions.
- Chainalysis notes that crypto could help Iranians evade sanctions and access funds outside government control.
- The analysis identifies crypto’s dual role as both a lifeline for residents and a potential channel for illicit activity.
- Chainalysis expects crypto to stay central to Iran’s response to sanctions and regional tensions going forward.
Vote 0