Tehran Signals a Major Policy Shift Toward Digital Assets
Iranian officials are openly acknowledging that the country cannot achieve its digital economy targets without adopting cryptocurrencies, marking one of the strongest public policy statements on digital assets to date. The remarks came during deBlock 2025, Iran’s first international blockchain and cryptocurrency conference, held this week in Tehran. The forum drew local crypto entrepreneurs, exchange operators, diplomats, economists, and regulators, reflecting a growing domestic and regional interest in blockchain-backed financial systems.
Addressing the audience, a representative for Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that building a national roadmap for crypto regulation is now an “undeniable imperative.” Ghalibaf referenced Iran’s National Development Plan, which aims to ensure that digital economic activity reaches 10% of the country’s total economy - a target he argued “cannot be achieved without crypto.”
Regulation Framed as a Strategic Priority
Officials emphasized that the future of Iran’s digital economy depends on coordinated regulatory development. Ghalibaf urged the Ministries of Economy and Industry, the Central Bank, and other state institutions to align policies to support “regulated growth” in digital finance.
A key theme repeated throughout the conference was the idea that crypto regulation must extend beyond mining and speculative trading. Instead, speakers promoted building a comprehensive crypto-based financial ecosystem capable of supporting domestic payments, international trade, and tokenized real-world assets.
Iran Eyes Regional Leadership in Crypto
Iranian officials framed crypto adoption not just as a modernization effort, but as a geopolitical strategy to increase financial autonomy.
This vision includes regulated trading platforms, blockchain-powered financial services, and the use of crypto in foreign trade, especially with countries that are part of BRICS, a group Iran formally joined to expand global economic cooperation.
Domestic Politics Shift Toward Support
The shift in tone represents a significant departure from earlier government stances, which framed crypto primarily through the lens of anti-money-laundering risk.
Parliamentary economic committee chairman Shamseddin Hosseini recalled that Iran’s first official encounter with crypto occurred at the Anti-Money Laundering Headquarters, where digital currencies were initially banned.
However, Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace later reversed that approach, paving the way for pilot mining frameworks and limited trade-based crypto settlements.
International Partnerships Build Momentum
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the conference organizer deBlock and Trescon Global, a Dubai-based firm known for hosting the World Blockchain Summit. The partnership may allow future editions of the conference to be held in Dubai, helping Iran attract foreign investment and expand collaboration with BRICS and Central Asian partners.
