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Bitcoin (BTC) has become an “element of resistance” in Iran as unrest grows, with the entire cryptocurrency ecosystem expected to grow to more than $7.78 billion by 2025, ChainAnalysis reported.
Iranians are seeing pressure on the national currency and continued protests across the country, making cryptocurrencies a vital alternative for many Iranians, as evidenced by increased usage.
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Iranians increase Bitcoin transfers as economic crisis worsens
BeInCrypto reported that by the end of December 2025, mass demonstrations began to sweep Iran. The demonstrations erupted as a result of rising inflation and the strong collapse of the local currency against the dollar.
The US Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimates that more than 2,500 people have been killed. Authorities have also shut down Internet access.
Amidst this turmoil, ChainAnalysis noticed an increase in cryptocurrency activity, with an increase in the average daily dollar amount transferred and transfers to personal wallets increasing.
Large withdrawals under $10,000 recorded the strongest growth, with the average value of funds withdrawn increasing by 236% and the number of transfers increasing by 262%. Average withdrawals of less than $1,000 increased by 228% in value and 123% in transfers.
Large withdrawals of less than $100,000 also increased, with amounts increasing by 32% and transfers by 55%. Even small withdrawals under $100 rose, with an increase in average value by 111% and conversion by 78%. Additionally, withdrawals from Iranian cryptocurrency exchanges to unallocated personal Bitcoin wallets have increased significantly.
The report stated that this behavior represents a logical response to the collapse of the Iranian rial, which has lost almost all of its value and has become almost worthless against major currencies such as the euro.
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ChainAnalysis stressed that Bitcoin is playing a wider role during the crisis in Iran than just protecting the value. The company noted that for many Iranians, cryptocurrencies have become an “element of resistance.”
Different from traditional assets that can be illiquid and vulnerable to state supervision, Bitcoin’s self-custody and resistance to censorship gives individuals more financial freedom.
This flexibility is particularly salient in circumstances where people may need to leave the country or rely on financial systems outside of government control.
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This pattern of increased withdrawals of BTC during periods of extreme instability reflects a global trend we have observed in other regions that have experienced wars, economic turmoil, or intensified government repression, wrote ChainAnalysis.
The Iranian cryptocurrency ecosystem to reach $7.78 billion in 2025
The company explained that the cryptocurrency market in Iran has grown dramatically in 2025 compared to the previous year, with the ecosystem worth more than $7.78 billion. Based on previous models, the Chain Analysis reports that cryptocurrency activity in the country increases in periods characterized by significant internal or geopolitical developments.
Notable jumps were recorded during the Kerman attacks in January 2024, the missile attacks against Israel in October 2024, and the 12-day war in June 2025, which included href=”https://beincrypto.com/nobitex-iran-exploit-tron-network-48-million/” target=”_referrers’online” country=”_referrer” largest cryptocurrency exchange and main bank.
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The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has become a dominant force in the Iranian crypto sector. appearance Revolutionary Guard activity on blockchain Almost half of the total value of cryptocurrencies received in Iran during the fourth quarter of 2025.
The Chain Analysis report estimated that wallets linked to the Revolutionary Guard will receive more than $3 billion in 2025, up from more than $2 billion the previous year. The group has increasingly relied on digital assets to circumvent sanctions and support its regional financial networks. The team added that,
We expect this number to increase as more IRGC wallets are publicly disclosed, exposing larger portions of their money-laundering network, Chain Analysis said.
It turns out that the adoption of digital currencies in Iran has a dual nature. State-linked actors have exploited digital assets to circumvent international sanctions.
In turn, for ordinary citizens, it has become a way to protect savings from hyperinflation and the risk of confiscation of assets. Chain Analysis explained that cryptocurrencies are likely to be a key tool for Iranians seeking greater financial independence.
