Iran Used $2 Billion in Crypto to Run Its Militant Proxies in 2025

According to Chainalysis data, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) transacted over $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025 to circumvent sanctions and support its militant proxies, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. This activity contributed to an overall surge in illicit cryptocurrency transactions, which Chainalysis reported increased by 162% year-over-year to reach at least $154 billion in 2025. Sanctioned jurisdictions like Iran, Russia, and North Korea are increasingly relying on digital assets to bypass financial restrictions. Russia accounted for the largest share of illicit on-chain activity, partly due to its new ruble-pegged stablecoin, while North Korean hackers were responsible for approximately $2 billion in stolen funds. Furthermore, the report highlighted the professionalization of on-chain crime, noting the rise of Chinese Money Laundering Networks (CMLNs) offering specialized services, and stressed a growing correlation between digital asset activity and physical violence, including a 169% jump in violent crypto robberies and kidnappings.

(Source：BeInCrypto)