A new report from Chainalysis shows that Iran’s cryptocurrency activity reached about $7.8 billion in 2025.
The increase came as nationwide protests spread, and many Iranians turned to Bitcoin
Protests began in December after the Iranian rial dropped to record lows against the US dollar. As demonstrations spread, the government restricted internet access, and international rights groups accused authorities of using deadly force against protesters.
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Chainalysis noted a clear change in how Iranians used Bitcoin. Many began moving their holdings from local exchanges to private wallets.
The company said this shows that more people wanted direct control over their money rather than keeping it on platforms that might be monitored or restricted.
According to Chainalysis, this shift was a natural reaction to the rial’s collapsing value, which has made it nearly worthless against foreign currencies such as the euro.
The report also pointed out that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was active in the crypto industry. In the last quarter of 2025, IRGC-linked wallets accounted for about half of the country’s total crypto transactions, receiving over $3 billion.
Chainalysis said Bitcoin’s role in Iran went beyond protecting savings. It became a tool for financial freedom, which offers people more options in an economy with strict government control.
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