Crypto exchanges to avoid if you are Iranian in 2025
As of 2025, Iranian crypto users face asset freezes, government crackdowns, and sanctions that make most exchanges dangerous. Learn which platforms to avoid and how to protect your funds.
Avoid Crypto Exchanges in Iran: Risks, Regulations, and Safer Alternatives
When you're in Iran, crypto exchanges, online platforms where you buy, sell, or trade digital currencies. Also known as cryptocurrency trading platforms, they're not just risky—they're legally tangled and often unsafe. The Iranian government doesn't ban crypto outright, but it doesn't let you use it freely either. You can't trust local exchanges because they're either state-controlled, under heavy surveillance, or outright scams. If you're looking to trade or store crypto, you're better off avoiding them entirely.
The real issue isn't just regulation—it's control. Iran crypto regulations, a set of strict rules enforced by the Central Bank and Ministry of Information. Also known as government crypto policies, they force miners to sell 75% of their Bitcoin on state-approved platforms and restrict electricity use to prevent blackouts. This means even if you mine Bitcoin, you can't keep it. And if you try to use a foreign exchange like Binance or Bybit, you risk getting locked out, fined, or worse. The government tracks transactions through bank connections and internet monitoring. Many Iranians who tried to use local exchanges lost funds to fake platforms that vanished overnight.
That’s why over $4 billion left Iran in crypto in 2024—not to evade sanctions, but to survive them. People turned to Bitcoin Iran, the most trusted digital asset for preserving wealth in a collapsing economy. Also known as Iranian Bitcoin savings, it became the only reliable way to store value outside the rial. They used peer-to-peer networks, hardware wallets, and offshore non-KYC exchanges like BloFin and BitCoke—tools that don’t require local bank links or personal IDs. Mining is still legal, but only if you're on the government’s approved list. Most private miners get shut down. So if you're in Iran, your best move isn’t to fight the system—it’s to bypass it safely.
What to Do Instead of Using Local Exchanges
Forget about signing up for Iranian crypto platforms. Instead, focus on self-custody. Buy Bitcoin through peer-to-peer markets like LocalBitcoins or Paxful using cash or trusted intermediaries. Store it in a hardware wallet like Ledger or Trezor. Use non-KYC exchanges that accept wire transfers from third countries. Learn how to move crypto without leaving a paper trail. The goal isn’t to trade aggressively—it’s to protect what you have. The posts below show you exactly which platforms Iranians are using, which ones got shut down, and how to spot a scam before you lose everything.