Iran’s Crypto Economy Hit $7.8 Billion in 2025 as Protests Fueled Bitcoin Use: Chainalysis
Cryptocurrency activity in Iran surged to nearly $7.8 billion in 2025 as the country faced economic turmoil, high inflation, and widespread protests. Chainalysis reported that digital assets increasingly serve as both an escape valve for civilians amid instability and a conduit for state-linked entities bypassing sanctions. Crackdowns and internet restrictions in late 2025 prompted a spike in withdrawals from exchanges to personal wallets, reflecting Bitcoin’s appeal in environments marked by repression and currency collapse. Bitcoin allows Iranians to protect personal wealth, circumvent state controls, and maintain financial privacy. State-linked actors, especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, were involved in over 50% of the country’s crypto activity during late 2025, highlighting the technology’s dual use by both dissidents and the regime. Analysts note that, while official data underestimates state involvement, the widespread adoption of Bitcoin in Iran demonstrates how both citizens and authorities turn to cryptocurrency for alternative financial resilience and freedom under restrictive political and economic conditions.
