In late December, street protests erupted across Iran, altering not just the political landscape but also transforming financial behaviors. As the Iranian rial quickly devalued, individuals sought to preserve their wealth by withdrawing Bitcoin into personal wallets. Amid increasing internet blackouts and regulatory crackdowns, cryptocurrencies, with their decentralized nature, gained prominence. Data from Blockchain underscores a significant uptick in transfers from local exchanges to personal wallets during the protest days.
Bitcoin Adoption Surges During Protests
Beginning on December 28, 2025, and persisting into early January, protests reverberated through numerous Iranian cities. The economic crisis, soaring inflation, and plummeting purchasing power led to abrupt shifts in financial preferences. Blockchain data reveals that between the onset of the protests and the internet blackout on January 8, there was a remarkable rise in transfers from Iran-based crypto exchanges to personal Bitcoin wallets.
Blockchain intelligence company Chainalysis noted that this activity significantly gravitated towards unidentified individual wallets. The firm’s report outlined a marked increase in the personal custody of Bitcoin compared to pre-protest periods. Experts suggest uncertainty in the streets and digital access restrictions were prime motivators prompting individuals to gain direct asset control.
The Collapse of the Rial and Crypto’s Strategic Role
The Iranian rial’s sharp depreciation emerged as a primary catalyst driving Bitcoin adoption. By the end of December, the official exchange rate, which hovered around 42 against the dollar, had surged past 1,050, severely undermining the domestic currency’s purchasing power. In such an environment, Bitcoin, with its fixed supply and cross-border transfer capabilities, became an attractive savings instrument.
Chainalysis described Bitcoin holding as a rational hedging method for Iranians. Its ability to operate outside banks or state channels provided liquidity and flexibility during periods of political pressure. The company highlighted similar trends in other nations experiencing war, economic crises, or governmental oppression.
Furthermore, the use of cryptocurrencies in Iran was not limited to individuals. According to Chainalysis, wallets connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps constituted over half of the nation’s total crypto transaction value in the last quarter of 2025. These addresses reportedly executed over $3 billion in Blockchain transactions throughout the year, with actual figures potentially higher due to wallets outside sanction compliance.