Crypto Exchanges in Iran: How to Trade When Banks Block You

When banks shut down access to global finance, crypto exchanges in Iran, digital platforms that let people buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies without traditional banking. Also known as crypto trading platforms, they’ve become the backbone of personal finance for millions in restricted economies. With Iranian banks blocked from SWIFT and international payment processors like Visa and Mastercard refusing service, crypto isn’t optional—it’s survival.

Most Iranians don’t use centralized exchanges like Binance or Kraken directly. Those platforms block Iranian IP addresses and require KYC documents that many can’t provide. Instead, people turn to P2P crypto trading, a system where individuals trade directly with each other using local payment methods like bank transfers or mobile wallets. This model thrives in Iran because it bypasses both banking restrictions and exchange bans. Sellers list their crypto on platforms like LocalBitcoins, Paxful, or Binance P2P, and buyers pay via Iran’s domestic banking apps. It’s messy, sometimes risky, but it works.

For those who already have crypto, decentralized exchanges, non-custodial platforms like Uniswap or Raydium that run on public blockchains and require no identity verification. let users swap tokens without ever touching a regulated entity. These DEXs don’t care where you live. But here’s the catch: you need crypto to buy crypto. That’s why P2P is the gateway—it’s how you turn rials into USDT or BTC. Once you have that, DEXs open up access to DeFi, staking, and global markets.

What you won’t find in Iran are official crypto exchanges licensed by the government. The state has cracked down on unregulated platforms and even arrested traders. But the market adapts. People use VPNs, burner wallets, and trusted local networks to trade. The real challenge isn’t technology—it’s trust. Scams are common. Fake P2P sellers vanish after payment. Fake airdrops promise free tokens but steal private keys. That’s why the posts below focus on real tools, verified platforms, and hard-won lessons from Iranians who’ve navigated this system for years.

You’ll find reviews of platforms that still work in 2025, breakdowns of how P2P deals go sideways, and guides on moving crypto safely without a bank. No fluff. No theory. Just what actually happens on the ground when the system tries to cut you off—and how people still find a way to trade.