Iran Turns to Crypto Amid Ongoing US Sanctions Restrictions

Iran has relaxed its foreign-exchange controls to allow companies to settle transactions through domestic crypto exchanges, particularly using Bitcoin and USDT. This move comes as the country faces broad restrictions across conventional financial networks due to U.S. sanctions.

The Financial Times reported that Iranian officials have allowed greater flexibility around export proceeds, giving companies more room to settle transactions through domestic crypto exchanges instead of official currency channels.

According to TRM Labs, Iran's domestic crypto economy reached roughly $10 billion in 2025, with inbound and outbound flows. Chainalysis produced a lower estimate, measuring the country's crypto ecosystem at over $7.78 billion during the same period.

The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control has targeted Iranian digital-asset exchanges, stating that they qualify as Iranian financial institutions under existing regulations. This limits direct access to U.S.-linked financial infrastructure for Iranian companies.