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.
Nobitex Hack: What Happened and How It Changed Crypto in Iran
When the Nobitex hack, a major security breach at Iran’s largest crypto exchange that led to the theft of millions in digital assets. Also known as the Nobitex breach, it wasn’t just a technical failure—it was a wake-up call for millions of Iranians who turned to crypto to protect their savings from hyperinflation. In 2022, hackers exploited weak internal controls and unpatched systems to drain wallets linked to the platform. Users lost everything overnight. No refunds. No insurance. No recourse. This wasn’t a case of phishing or a simple login breach. It was a full-system compromise that revealed how fragile crypto infrastructure can be when it operates without oversight, audits, or basic security standards.
The crypto exchange hack, an intentional breach of a digital asset platform resulting in unauthorized fund transfers. Also known as exchange theft, it’s not rare—but the scale and impact of the Nobitex incident made it unforgettable. Unlike Western exchanges that often carry insurance or have cold storage protocols, Nobitex ran on minimal security. Its team was small, its infrastructure outdated, and its compliance nonexistent. The hackers didn’t need advanced tools—they just needed patience and the fact that no one was watching. This is why so many Iranian users now demand self-custody: if you don’t hold your keys, you don’t own your crypto. The Iran crypto exchange, a local platform serving users in Iran who rely on crypto for daily transactions and wealth preservation. Also known as domestic crypto platform, is often the only option available, but the Nobitex hack proved that convenience can be deadly.
The fallout was immediate. Thousands of users moved their funds to hardware wallets. Others switched to peer-to-peer trading. A few even started running their own nodes. Meanwhile, regulators stayed silent. No one was held accountable. No new laws were passed. The message was clear: in Iran’s crypto space, you’re on your own. The cryptocurrency security, the practices and tools used to protect digital assets from theft, fraud, and system failures. Also known as crypto safety, became a survival skill, not a technical detail. If you didn’t know how to use a hardware wallet, you were already behind. If you didn’t understand private keys, you were already at risk. The Nobitex hack didn’t just steal money—it stole trust. And rebuilding that trust? That’s harder than hacking a server.
What you’ll find below are real stories, deep dives, and practical reviews of platforms and practices that came after Nobitex. Some exchanges are better. Some are worse. A few are trying to fix what went wrong. Others are repeating the same mistakes. You’ll see how exchanges like GroveX and BloFin operate without KYC, how Iran’s own crypto landscape is shaped by sanctions and electricity cuts, and why even the smallest DeFi tool can be dangerous if you don’t know who’s behind it. This isn’t about hype. It’s about staying safe when the system isn’t.