Iran’s central bank acquired over $500 million in Tether’s USDT stablecoin last year in a systematic effort to support its national currency and bypass international sanctions, according to research from blockchain intelligence firm Elliptic. The operation, which involved routing funds through a network of cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges, aimed to create a ‘sanctions-proof’ financial mechanism. However, the transparency of blockchain technology ultimately enabled enforcement actions, including the freezing of millions in assets, highlighting the dual-edged nature of digital currencies in geopolitical finance.
about Iran's Central Bank Used $507M in USDT to Evade Sanctions
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Generated 0 posts last week Iran Internet Blackout Amid Protests: Starlink Access Unclear
Iran has plunged into a near-total digital blackout as authorities severed nationwide internet connectivity in response to escalating anti-government protests fueled by a severe economic crisis. Data from monitoring firms Cloudflare and NetBlocks shows traffic collapsed to near-zero levels Thursday evening, creating an information vacuum during critical unrest. The shutdown, a repeated tactic by Iranian authorities, raises urgent questions about the accessibility of alternative satellite services like SpaceX’s Starlink, which has been activated in previous blackouts.
about Iran Internet Blackout Amid Protests: Starlink Access UnclearCrypto Market Plunge: $44B Bitcoin Sell-Off Sparks Fear
The cryptocurrency market is reeling from its worst November start in years as long-term Bitcoin holders executed a massive $44 billion sell-off, overwhelming the $4 billion absorbed by ETFs. Despite widespread fear stemming from regulatory crackdowns, privacy tool controversies, and DeFi collapses, Bitcoin maintains its position above $100,000 while historical data suggests November typically delivers the strongest monthly returns, averaging +42.11% since 2013.
about Crypto Market Plunge: $44B Bitcoin Sell-Off Sparks FearIran’s Illegal Crypto Mining Crisis Threatens Power Grid
Iran faces a severe crypto mining crisis with 95% of the country’s mining operations running illegally. These unauthorized activities are consuming massive electricity and destabilizing the national power grid. The situation has escalated to threaten the stability of electricity supplies across the nation, with authorities warning that the country’s subsidized electricity prices have created a paradise for illegal miners.
about Iran's Illegal Crypto Mining Crisis Threatens Power GridIran’s Ayandeh Bank Collapses with $8B in Losses
One of Iran’s largest private banks has collapsed under the weight of massive losses and debt, marking one of the country’s most significant financial failures in recent years. Ayandeh Bank’s dissolution comes after accumulating approximately $8 billion in combined losses and debt, forcing the transfer of 42 million customer accounts to state-owned Bank Melli. The collapse follows failed rescue efforts by the Central Bank of Iran, highlighting deepening challenges within Iran’s banking sector.
about Iran's Ayandeh Bank Collapses with $8B in LossesIran Bank Collapse: Global Warning for Financial Systems
Iran’s financial system has been rocked by the dramatic collapse of Ayandeh Bank, one of the country’s largest private lenders, exposing deep vulnerabilities in both emerging and developed financial markets. The bankruptcy, involving $5.2 billion in losses and $3 billion in debt absorbed by state-owned Melli Bank, occurs amid Iran’s simultaneous hyperinflation and severe recession, with depositors facing limited insurance coverage of just $930. This crisis highlights Bitcoin’s emerging role as a hedge against systemic financial risk, mirroring recent U.S. banking failures and revealing the universal fragility of trust in traditional finance.
about Iran Bank Collapse: Global Warning for Financial SystemsIran Warns UN Sanctions Threat Could Derail Nuclear Inspections
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has declared that European moves to restore UN sanctions could derail progress on nuclear inspections. The warning follows Iran’s agreement to submit nuclear site reports to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which was seen as a potential pathway to resuming on-site visits by UN inspectors. The statement represents a significant escalation in tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and could impact ongoing diplomatic efforts to restore the 2015 nuclear deal. The situation highlights the fragile nature of nuclear negotiations and the potential consequences of renewed sanctions pressure on Tehran’s cooperation with international monitoring agencies.
about Iran Warns UN Sanctions Threat Could Derail Nuclear InspectionsSanctioned Nations Secretly Mine Bitcoin Amid US Sanctions
Frank Holmes, co-founder of HIVE Digital, claims that several US-sanctioned nations, including Iran, are secretly mining Bitcoin as an alternative revenue source. He links recent drops in mining difficulty to military strikes on Iran’s power infrastructure, suggesting state-backed mining operations. Holmes emphasizes Bitcoin’s strategic value for nations cut off from traditional finance, while HIVE expands in US-friendly regions like Paraguay, aiming for 25 EH/s mining capacity by November. The trend underscores how crypto mining is evolving beyond profitability into geopolitical maneuvering.
about Sanctioned Nations Secretly Mine Bitcoin Amid US SanctionsGovernments Hold 463K BTC: US & China Lead Reserves
In 2025, governments collectively hold approximately 463,000 BTC, accounting for 2.3% of Bitcoin’s total supply. The US and China lead in sovereign BTC reserves, while countries like Bhutan, Iran, and the UK are quietly building their positions. This state-level accumulation underscores Bitcoin’s rising importance in national wealth strategies, representing tens of billions in value. Public blockchain data and legal disclosures reveal how BTC is becoming a key asset in global financial reserves.
about Governments Hold 463K BTC: US & China Lead ReservesPro-Israel Hackers Steal $81M from Iran’s Nobitex Exchange
On June 18, Iran-based cryptocurrency exchange Nobitex suffered an $81-million hack attributed to the pro-Israel group Gonjeshke Darande. The attackers exploited a hot wallet failure to drain funds, with blockchain security expert ZachXBT raising the alarm the same day. This incident adds to the ongoing cyber conflict between Iran and Israel, highlighting vulnerabilities in crypto exchanges. The hack underscores the risks associated with hot wallet storage and the geopolitical dimensions of cyber warfare in the crypto space.
about Pro-Israel Hackers Steal $81M from Iran's Nobitex ExchangeGovernments Hold 463K BTC as Sovereign Bitcoin Reserves Grow
In 2025, governments collectively hold approximately 463,000 BTC, accounting for 2.3% of Bitcoin’s total supply. The US and China dominate these holdings, while countries like Bhutan, Iran, and the UK are discreetly accumulating BTC as part of their sovereign wealth strategies. This growing state-level adoption underscores Bitcoin’s increasing role in national reserve assets, representing tens of billions in value and marking a significant shift in global financial strategies.
about Governments Hold 463K BTC as Sovereign Bitcoin Reserves GrowBRICS to Launch Precious Metals Exchange in Rio Summit
The 17th BRICS Summit, set for July 6-7 in Rio de Janeiro, is expected to announce a new precious metals exchange, challenging Western-dominated markets like the London Metal Exchange. Proposed by Russia in 2024, the exchange would enable BRICS members—now expanded to include Iran, Saudi Arabia, and others—to trade gold, silver, and platinum group metals independently. This aligns with the bloc’s de-dollarization push, including plans for BRICS Pay and a potential gold-backed currency. However, challenges like infrastructure, liquidity, and potential Western sanctions loom. If successful, the exchange could reshape global commodities trading and reduce reliance on U.S. financial systems.
about BRICS to Launch Precious Metals Exchange in Rio Summit