When it comes to Iran cryptocurrency laws, the legal framework governing digital asset use, trading, and mining within Iran's borders. Also known as crypto regulations in Iran, it's not a simple ban or free-for-all—it's a gray zone where the state controls the flow but can't stop the flow. Unlike countries that outright ban crypto, Iran lets citizens hold and trade Bitcoin and Ethereum, but only under strict conditions set by its Central Bank and Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance.
The real story isn't about legality—it's about survival. Iranians use crypto to bypass sanctions, protect savings from inflation, and send money abroad when banks refuse. Mining is technically allowed, but only if you get government-approved electricity and register your rigs. Most miners skip the paperwork because the official power rates are too high. The government even runs its own crypto mining farms using subsidized energy, while regular users are told to avoid foreign exchanges. That’s why platforms like Binance and Coinbase are blocked, but local P2P apps like Local Traders (LCT), a peer-to-peer crypto platform focused on LATAM, but relevant as a model for how users bypass restrictions thrive in spirit—even if not in Iran. The same goes for non-custodial wallets, wallets where you hold your own keys without relying on banks or exchanges. MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and Ledger are everywhere in Tehran and Isfahan because they don’t answer to Tehran’s regulators.
There’s no official license for crypto exchanges in Iran, but dozens operate in the shadows. Some are run by former bank employees. Others are just Telegram bots. The government has raided homes for mining rigs and frozen bank accounts linked to crypto purchases. Yet, Bitcoin prices in Iran still track global markets—just with a 10-20% premium because of the risk. If you’re in Iran, you’re not breaking the law if you hold crypto. You’re breaking the rules if you use it to trade internationally without permission. And if you’re mining? You’re either paying bribes or hoping the electricity bill doesn’t come due.
What you’ll find below are real stories from people navigating this system. From how to buy Bitcoin without a bank account, to why mining in Iran is more about power access than profit, to what happens when the government cracks down. No theory. No fluff. Just what people are doing right now to stay in control of their money.
Iran regulates cryptocurrency tightly - not to ban it, but to control it. In 2025, mining, trading, and holding crypto come with strict limits, taxes, and surveillance. Here’s what you need to know.
