Iran Cryptocurrency Law: How Iranians Bypass Restrictions in 2025

When the Iran cryptocurrency law, a set of government regulations that restricts access to global crypto exchanges and bans unapproved digital asset transactions. Also known as crypto censorship in Iran, it was designed to control capital flight and protect the rial—but it backfired. Instead of stopping crypto use, it forced Iranians to get creative. With inflation hitting over 40% and banks freezing accounts, people turned to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and especially DAI—a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar—to preserve their savings. This isn’t just about speculation; it’s survival.

The government bans platforms like Binance and Coinbase, but that hasn’t stopped millions from using VPNs, tools that mask internet traffic to bypass state firewalls and access blocked exchanges. Also known as crypto circumvention networks, they’re now as common in Tehran as smartphones. Many trade directly through Telegram groups, using peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms to swap rials for USDT or DAI with local sellers. Others use Polygon’s low-fee network to hold DAI without triggering bank alerts. The DAI stablecoin, a decentralized, collateral-backed digital dollar that maintains its value even when local currencies collapse. Also known as crypto savings anchor, it’s become Iran’s unofficial currency for rent, groceries, and medical bills. Even though the state monitors transactions, the sheer volume of small, decentralized trades makes enforcement impossible.

What you’ll find below are real, up-to-date guides on how Iranians are navigating these restrictions—not theory, not speculation. You’ll read about the exact wallets and networks being used, the Telegram channels that actually work, and how people avoid scams when buying crypto without a bank. There are no fluff pieces here. Just clear, practical steps anyone can follow to protect their assets under strict regimes. Whether you’re in Iran, Venezuela, or just worried about future controls, these tactics are worth knowing.