Why $4.18 Billion Flew Out of Iran in Crypto in 2024
In 2024, Iranians sent $4.18 billion in cryptocurrency abroad-not to evade sanctions, but to save their wealth from a collapsing currency. Bitcoin became their only reliable escape.
When you own crypto, crypto wealth preservation, the practice of safeguarding digital assets from theft, regulation, or market collapse. Also known as digital asset protection, it’s not about timing the market—it’s about outlasting it. Most people lose crypto not because prices dropped, but because they gave up control. Exchanges freeze accounts, hacks wipe out balances, and lost private keys mean permanent loss. If you don’t hold your own keys, you don’t own your crypto—no matter how much you think you do.
private keys, the secret codes that prove ownership of crypto on the blockchain. Also known as seed phrases, they’re the only thing standing between you and total loss. If you store crypto on Binance, Bybit, or any exchange, you’re trusting them to keep it safe. But as seen with WazirX and Nobitex, even big platforms get hacked or frozen under government pressure. That’s why self-custody, holding your crypto directly through wallets you control. Also known as non-custodial storage, it’s the first rule of real wealth preservation. Hardware wallets, like Ledger or Trezor, keep your keys offline—away from hackers and government raids. And if you’re in Iran, Kazakhstan, or India, where governments crack down on crypto, self-custody isn’t optional—it’s survival.
regulated crypto exchange, a platform licensed and monitored by government agencies to protect users. Also known as SEC-compliant exchange, it’s not glamorous, but it’s reliable. Platforms like INX Digital exist because people need safety over speed. If you’re in the U.S. or Canada, using a regulated exchange means your trades are legal, your taxes are trackable, and your funds are less likely to vanish overnight. But even these aren’t foolproof. That’s where hardware security module, a physical device that stores and manages cryptographic keys for exchanges and institutions. Also known as HSM, it’s the backbone of institutional crypto security. Exchanges like BloFin and GroveX rely on HSMs to protect billions in assets—because if their keys are stolen, everyone loses. You won’t have an HSM at home, but understanding how they work helps you choose safer platforms.
There’s no magic trick to preserving crypto wealth. It’s not about buying the next meme coin or riding a bull run. It’s about knowing who controls your keys, where your money lives, and what happens if the government steps in. Vietnam’s new rules, Iran’s state-controlled mining, Kazakhstan’s power cuts—all show that crypto isn’t just a financial tool. It’s a political one. And if you’re not prepared for that, you’re not preserving wealth—you’re gambling with it.
Below, you’ll find real reviews, warnings, and guides from people who’ve lost it all—and those who learned how to keep it. No fluff. No hype. Just what works when the stakes are real.
In 2024, Iranians sent $4.18 billion in cryptocurrency abroad-not to evade sanctions, but to save their wealth from a collapsing currency. Bitcoin became their only reliable escape.