Iran Signals Shift Toward Pro-Crypto Regulations to Leverage Economic Benefits

The Iranian government is signaling its intent to embrace crypto assets through regulatory measures rather than imposing outright restrictions, according to Abdolnaser Hemmati, Iran’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance.

During a national event on Saturday, Hemmati emphasized the government’s goal to mitigate the adverse effects of cryptocurrencies on the economy while capitalizing on their benefits, as reported by the state-run news agency Nour News. He noted that digital currencies fall under the jurisdiction of Iran’s central bank.

Hemmati expressed optimism about the potential of cryptocurrencies to foster youth employment in Iran, counteract U.S. sanctions, and integrate the nation more effectively into the global economy.

On the same day as Hemmati’s remarks, the Central Bank of Iran released a document outlining its upcoming cryptocurrency policies. According to Nour News, the policies aim to support crypto traders while ensuring compliance with local tax regulations and anti-money laundering laws.

The report also highlighted an estimate from economist Mohammad Sadegh Alhosseini, who stated that Iranian investors hold between $30 billion and $50 billion in crypto assets—roughly a third of the country’s gold market.

This announcement aligns with a broader global trend as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump builds anticipation for a more favorable regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies. Since his reelection last month, Trump has appointed several pro-crypto figures to key positions, including long-time cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission.