IRGC’s Unlicensed Crypto Mining in Iran: How the Guard Exploits Power
An in‑depth look at how Iran's IRGC runs unlicensed Bitcoin farms, steals electricity, fuels sanctions evasion, and worsens the country's energy crisis.
View moreWhen dealing with Iran crypto sanctions, U.S. and EU measures that block Iranian entities from accessing global cryptocurrency services. Also called Iran sanctions on cryptocurrency, these rules force local exchanges to adapt or shut down. The sanctions are enforced by OFAC, the Office of Foreign Assets Control, which maintains the blacklist of prohibited parties, and they directly impact platforms such as Bitpin, Iran’s leading crypto exchange that must comply with AML/KYC and sanction screening. In practice, the sanctions limit fiat‑on‑ramp options, restrict cross‑border wallets, and push users toward peer‑to‑peer or decentralized solutions.
The core effect of Iran crypto sanctions is a fragmented market. Centralized exchanges (CEX) face heavy compliance costs, so many either close their Iranian services or require users to verify through third‑party providers. This creates a direct link: sanctions → exchange restrictions → limited liquidity. At the same time, decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols provide a partial escape route, but they still face indirect pressure because on‑ramps to stablecoins often run through regulated gateways that obey OFAC rules. Compliance tools, such as blockchain analytics and real‑time watch‑lists, have become essential for any platform that wants to stay legal. Users also see a rise in peer‑to‑peer trading groups, which bypass formal KYC but increase counter‑party risk. The overall picture shows that sanctions drive innovation in workarounds while simultaneously raising security and legal concerns.
Looking ahead, the landscape will keep evolving. New regulatory signals from the U.S. Treasury could tighten or relax certain provisions, and Iranian authorities are experimenting with domestic stablecoins to reduce reliance on foreign networks. For traders, the takeaway is clear: stay informed about the latest OFAC updates, monitor how platforms like Bitpin adjust their policies, and consider the trade‑offs between centralized convenience and DeFi anonymity. Below you’ll find a curated set of articles that break down the technical details, offer practical compliance tips, and explore emerging alternatives in the wake of Iran crypto sanctions.
An in‑depth look at how Iran's IRGC runs unlicensed Bitcoin farms, steals electricity, fuels sanctions evasion, and worsens the country's energy crisis.
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