Iran’s 2025 Crypto Trading Restrictions: Rial, Stablecoins & Mining Rules

Iran’s cryptocurrency regulatory framework Crypto Trading Restrictions covers a series of measures that limit how citizens can buy, sell, or use digital assets, while still allowing large‑scale mining for state revenue has become one of the most complex worldwide. If you’re wondering what you can legally do with Bitcoin, USDT, or the new digital rial, this guide walks through every major rule introduced between late 2024 and September 2025, shows how they affect everyday investors, and offers practical steps to stay compliant.

Key Takeaways

• All direct rial‑to‑crypto payments were blocked on 27December2024; only licensed exchanges using the Central Bank’s API may operate.
• Advertising crypto inside Iran has been illegal since February2025.
• Stablecoin purchases are capped at $5,000 per year and total holdings cannot exceed $10,000 per person (effective 27September2025).
• Since August2025, cryptocurrency gains are subject to a capital‑gains tax under the new Taxation of Speculation law.
• The state‑backed digital rial is being piloted on Kish Island, offering a fiat‑linked alternative to private tokens.

Regulatory Timeline: From Open Markets to Tight Controls

Understanding the sequence helps explain why the market feels chaotic. Below is a concise chronology:

1. Late2024 - Central Bank of Iran (CBI) announces a blanket ban on rial‑crypto payment gateways. All exchanges must obtain a CBI license and feed transaction data to a government API.
2. January2025 - Select licensed platforms are unblocked, but only through the CBI’s API, meaning every trade is visible to authorities.
3. February2025 - Nationwide advertising ban on any crypto‑related content, covering TV, print, and online platforms.
4. July2025 - Tether freezes 42 Iranian‑linked addresses, prompting a rapid shift from USDT to DAI on Polygon.
5. August2025 - Parliament passes the Law on Taxation of Speculation, treating crypto gains like gold or foreign exchange.
6. September272025 - Final wave of restrictions: stablecoin purchase caps ($5,000/yr) and holding limits ($10,000 total) go live, with a one‑month compliance window.

Core Restrictions Explained

Each rule targets a specific risk area. Below we break down what they mean for users and businesses.

• Rial‑to‑Crypto Payment Ban - Direct conversions between the Iranian rial and any cryptocurrency are prohibited on unlicensed sites. Licensed exchanges must route every transaction through the CBI’s API, which logs sender, receiver, amount, and timestamps.
• Advertising Prohibition - Any public promotion of crypto services, including influencer posts, webinars, or banner ads, is a criminal offense. Enforcement includes monitoring social media and shutting down Telegram channels that discuss crypto investments.
• Stablecoin Limits - Individuals and companies can purchase a maximum of $5,000 worth of stablecoins per calendar year. Holding more than $10,000 in stablecoins forces a mandatory sell‑off within 30days, otherwise assets are frozen.
• Capital‑Gains Tax - Profits from crypto trading are taxed at 15% for individuals and 25% for corporations, comparable to the tax on gold trading. Reporting is done via the annual tax return, and failure to declare can lead to fines up to 200% of the owed tax.
• Digital Rial Pilot - The Central Bank’s “Rial Currency” (digital rial) is being trialed on Kish Island. It functions as an electronic cash pegged 1:1 to the physical rial, with no mining and full CBI control.

How the Rules Affect Different Actors

Not everyone feels the impact equally. Here’s a quick matrix:

Practical Compliance Checklist for Iranian Users

Before you trade, verify each item below. Skipping even one can lead to account freezes or legal penalties.

1. Confirm the exchange holds a valid CBI license and uses the official API.
2. Check that your account’s KYC documents (national ID, selfie, proof of address) are up‑to‑date.
3. Track your stablecoin purchases for the calendar year; stay below $5,000.
4. Monitor total stablecoin balances; liquidate any amount over $10,000 within 30days of the September2025 mandate.
5. Keep detailed trade logs (date, amount, price) for tax reporting.
6. Avoid sharing any crypto‑related promotions on social media, blogs, or messaging apps.
7. If you reside on Kish Island, consider testing the digital rial pilot for everyday payments.

Workarounds That Exist - And Their Risks

Even with tight rules, many Iranians still find ways to protect their wealth. Below are the most common methods and why they’re risky.

• Peer‑to‑peer (P2P) platforms - Direct trades bypass CBI monitoring, but users risk scams and possible seizure if authorities trace the activity.
• Offshore wallets - Holding crypto on foreign exchanges avoids stablecoin caps, yet transfers in and out of Iran can be flagged under AML/CTF protocols.
• Switching to non‑USD stablecoins - Some opt for DAI or USDC, believing they’re not covered by the USDT cap. However, the CBI’s language targets “stablecoins” broadly, and future clarifications may extend limits.
• Using the Polygon network for DAI - This reduced fees and circumvented Tether freezes, but still requires an exchange that can convert DAI back to rial via the licensed API.

Future Outlook: What Might Change Next?

Regulation is still evolving. Keep an eye on these signals:

• Potential expansion of the digital rial pilot to Tehran and other provinces, which could replace stablecoins for domestic payments.
• International pressure on Iran to relax sanctions may lead to a softening of advertising rules, especially for educational content.
• Further AML/CTF tightening could require real‑time transaction monitoring on every crypto wallet, even those held offline.
• Possible introduction of a state‑issued stablecoin pegged to the rial, designed to replace USDT/USDC under strict government control.

Quick Reference: Entity Summary

Below is a snapshot of the main entities mentioned, each defined with schema markup for easy reference.

Central Bank of Iran The primary monetary authority that issues licenses, enforces crypto bans, and runs the government API for transaction reporting

Tether (USDT) A dollar‑pegged stablecoin that faced a massive freeze of Iranian‑linked addresses in July2025

Nobitex Iran’s largest domestic crypto exchange, heavily involved in USDT flows and subject to government oversight

Digital Rial (Rial Currency) A Central Bank‑issued electronic version of the Iranian rial, piloted on Kish Island

DAI (Polygon) A decentralized stablecoin that many Iranian users adopted after USDT freezes, operating on the low‑fee Polygon network

Stablecoin Purchase Cap Regulation limiting Iranian individuals and entities to $5,000 of stablecoin purchases per year and $10,000 total holdings

Taxation of Speculation Law 2025 legislation that subjects crypto capital gains to a 15% personal tax and 25% corporate tax

Frequently Asked Questions