Iran’s crypto ecosystem nears $8B as IRGC footprint grows and bitcoin withdrawals surge during protests: Chainalysis
Iran's crypto ecosystem reached $7.78B, marked by increased IRGC activity and retail Bitcoin flight to safety during protests.Summary
According to a Chainalysis report, Iran's cryptocurrency ecosystem grew to over $7.78 billion in 2025, with activity closely linked to political events. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accounted for approximately 50% of the total value received by Iranian crypto addresses in Q4 2025, indicating growing economic influence. Crypto serves as both a financial alternative for citizens facing inflation and a funding mechanism for sanctioned actors. Onchain activity showed spikes around major conflicts and domestic unrest. During recent protests, Chainalysis observed significant increases in transfers to personal wallets, particularly Bitcoin withdrawals from exchanges, suggesting a flight to safety among retail users. These findings align with broader research showing nation-states increasingly using crypto to evade sanctions.
(Source：The Block)