Crypto Exchanges Banned in Iran: What You Need to Know

When you hear crypto exchanges banned in Iran, the Iranian government’s official stance against decentralized finance platforms. Also known as cryptocurrency restrictions in Iran, it’s not just about blocking websites—it’s about controlling money flow in a country under heavy economic sanctions. In 2019, Iran’s Central Bank declared all crypto exchanges illegal, citing risks to financial stability and fears of capital flight. But unlike countries that simply shut down access, Iran’s ban is messy. People still trade. Miners still run rigs. And crypto wallets? They’re everywhere.

The ban wasn’t random. It came after a surge in crypto adoption during hyperinflation, when Iranians turned to Bitcoin and Ethereum to protect savings from collapsing rials. The government didn’t stop them—they tried to control them. That’s why Iran started licensing mining operations while blocking exchanges. They wanted to mine the coins themselves, not let citizens trade them freely. Meanwhile, cryptocurrency restrictions Iran, the legal framework limiting digital asset use pushed users to peer-to-peer platforms, Telegram bots, and offshore exchanges with no KYC. Even crypto trading Iran, the informal market where Iranians buy and sell digital assets became a survival tactic, not a speculation game.

What’s surprising is how little changed after the ban. Trading volume didn’t drop—it just went underground. Local traders use cash deals, gift cards, and even barter systems to swap crypto. Some use VPNs to access banned platforms like Binance or KuCoin. Others rely on Iranian-made apps that mimic exchanges but operate outside the law. The government knows this is happening. They’ve arrested people. They’ve raided homes. But they can’t shut down every wallet or every Telegram channel. And with electricity subsidies still favoring miners, the hardware keeps running.

If you’re wondering whether you can trade crypto in Iran today, the answer is yes—but it’s risky. There’s no legal recourse if you get scammed. No customer support. No chargebacks. And if you’re caught using a banned exchange, you could face fines or worse. That’s why many Iranians now use blockchain legality Iran, the gray area where personal crypto use isn’t clearly defined as a tool, not a gamble. They hold Bitcoin as a store of value, not to day trade. They avoid exchanges entirely. They move slowly, carefully, and in small amounts.

Below, you’ll find real reviews and deep dives into platforms that Iranians actually use—even if they’re banned. You’ll see how scams target users in restricted regions, how mining continues under state watch, and what happens when a government tries to control something that was built to be unstopable. This isn’t theory. These are stories from people who’ve lived it.