Iran Eases Crypto Rules to Bypass Sanctions
Iran’s central bank is quietly enabling exporters to settle trade in Bitcoin and Tether to bypass state currency controls, facilitating nearly $10 billion in annual flows despite a US crackdown. Washington has intensified its response by designating digital assets as a sanctionable sector and freezing approximately $1 billion in Iranian-linked crypto assets to date.
GN geopolitics/trade (en-US) reveals that the central bank’s crypto pivot is operational without public announcement, with TRM Labs tracking $9.9 billion in 2025 volume where four exchanges account for 78% of the total. The report details a significant escalation in US enforcement, noting that Treasury’s Operation Economic Outcast has now designated digital assets as a sanctionable sector, enabling broader global penalties for supporting Iran's crypto infrastructure.
Source: GN geopolitics/trade (en-US)GN geopolitics/trade (en-US) reports that on-chain data indicates roughly $10 billion in cryptocurrency transacted through Iran in 2025, with the country now representing 4.5% of global Bitcoin mining activity. The outlet also notes that US Treasury officials are preparing to expand sanctions under “Operation Economic Outcast,” following the recent targeting of Nobitex, Iran's largest exchange.
Source: GN geopolitics/trade (en-US)Iran's central bank has relaxed currency controls, allowing firms to use stablecoins and Bitcoin to repatriate overseas earnings. This move aims to offset the impact of tightening US financial restrictions.
Source: GN markets/fx (en-US)
