Iran Turns to Crypto Under Sanctions Pressure

The Iranian government has been quietly steering traders toward cryptocurrencies to outrun U.S. sanctions, which have strained the country's economy.

In a move to ease foreign-exchange controls, the central bank has allowed traders to use USDT and Bitcoin for cross-border settlements through native crypto exchanges.

Data from TRM Labs shows that nearly $10 billion worth of cryptocurrency moved through Iran in 2025, highlighting the growing role of virtual assets in the nation's financial system.