Is Cryptocurrency Legal in Iran

Illegal power plants in residential areas are often operated with subsidized electricity. Last month, the utility promised tough measures against this type of unauthorized mining. ILNA cites an estimate by Iranian officials who claim that a single bitcoin mining machine consumes as much energy as 24 households. Iran has officially approved the use of cryptocurrency for imports as a measure to circumvent US sanctions against its financial and banking sectors. Referring to regulations adopted by the bank and other government institutions such as the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade two years ago, the CBI chief clarified that it is legal for Iranian companies to pay for imports with cryptocurrency. He was quoted in an article in the English-language edition of Iran`s Labour News Agency (ILNA) on Friday. Iran`s Ministry of Commerce has approved the use of cryptocurrency payments for imports to boost trade in the country. To mine cryptocurrency in Iran, local miners must obtain approval from Iran`s Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade. Also, make sure their mining facilities are located outside of 30 kilometres of all provincial centres across the country.[16] The Central African Republic (CAR), one of the poorest countries in the world, has also adopted cryptography. It was the first African state to make Bitcoin legal in April, launching its own digital coin last month. Most jurisdictions and authorities have yet to legislate on cryptocurrencies, which means that for most countries, the legality of cryptocurrency mining remains uncertain.

This news was published on the 29th. It was announced just weeks after Iran`s trade development organization approved its first official cryptocurrency import order — worth $10 million for importing cars. Salehbadi`s comments came after Deputy Commerce Minister Alireza Peymanpak on Tuesday announced Iran`s first import order using cryptocurrency as a payment method. The official, who also heads the country`s trade promotion organization, revealed that the Islamic Republic bought $10 million worth of goods using digital coins. Do you have questions about cryptocurrency, digital currency, or blockchain technology? Tehran is one of the largest economies that has yet to embrace cryptocurrency technology, and was born in 2008 as a payment instrument aimed at undermining state control over finance and economies. Referring to the cryptocurrency regulations enacted by the government two years ago, the CBI chief said it is legal for people with official permits to mine digital currencies for imports. Iran`s Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade issued operating licenses for 30 cryptocurrency mining centers in the country in June 2021, while approving more than 2,500 permits to establish new mining operations. In the months that followed, the government also cracked down on illegal mining operations, even imposing a three-month mining ban to ease pressure on its nationwide network. El Salvador also introduced Bitcoin as legal tender last year, despite public skepticism over falling crypto prices. Iran`s cheap energy has boosted cryptocurrency miners in recent years. Our Freeman Law Cryptocurrency Law Resource page provides a summary of the legal status of cryptocurrency for each country in the world with legal or regulatory requirements for cryptocurrency. The following globe contains links to country-specific summaries: In a meeting with Dmitry Mezentsev in May 2018, the chairman of the Economic Policy Committee of the Federation Council, Pourebrahimi, said that they „tasked the Central Bank of Iran to develop proposals for the use of cryptocurrency.“ Apparently, there is cooperation with Russia in this regard.

In this sense, Purebrahimi added: „They [Russia] share our opinion. We have said that if we manage to advance this work, we will be the first countries to use cryptocurrency in commodity exchanges.“[10] The Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran sentenced Ahmad to three cumulative prison terms: three years and eight months for illegal assembly and collusion, eight months for propaganda against Iran, and two years for publishing lies. The court also ordered a fine of 150 million riyals ($450), banned him from leaving the country for two years, and banned him from participating in social or political groups. Ahmad, 52, was arrested in July as authorities cracked down on dissent in response to rising anti-establishment sentiment and near-daily protests across the Islamic Republic. Buying and selling cryptocurrencies or using digital assets for investment purposes is prohibited, the governor of Iran`s central bank (CBI), Ali Salehabadi, recently told local media. At the same time, authorized individuals and organizations can legally mine crypto, which can be used for international settlements, the official pointed out. Iran has passed a new law that allows paying for corporate imports into cryptocurrencies, even if speculative investments remain illegal, according to state media. Ghurbati insisted that he did not know that Latipov was registered and that his ties to the man were purely commercial. Latipov informed RFE/RL by telephone that his registration with the SNB was unfounded. The prosecution demanded eight years in prison for the journalist. Ghurbati`s lawyer, Abdurahmon Sharipov, told RFE/RL that his client continued to insist during the trial that he was not guilty.

Ghurbati and blogger Daleri Imomali, known for her articles critical of the government, were arrested on 15 July. He was arrested in June and remanded in custody for two months. Imomali was charged with illegal entrepreneurship and wilful false denunciation. His trial is ongoing. In June, Human Rights Watch called for the immediate release of Ghurbati and Imomali by Tajik authorities, stating that both men „are being targeted because of their professional activities, even though they are protected by Tajik laws and international obligations on freedom of expression and media.“ Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has been criticized for years by international human rights groups for his contempt for independent media, religious freedom, civil society and political pluralism in the tightly controlled former Soviet republic. Earlier this month, Iran issued its first official import cryptocurrency order of $10 million as a test to allow the country to trade digital assets that bypass the dollar-dominated global financial system and trade with other countries also blocked by U.S. sanctions such as Russia. It is illegal to buy or sell cryptocurrency in Iran, the head of the country`s monetary authority recently reminded citizens and businesses.

However, the governor noted that the mining of cryptocurrencies and their use in payments for imports does not violate the law in the Islamic Republic. The first legislative amendments, which also aim to ensure the release of billions of euros of EU funds to hold back Brussels, were adopted by a large majority, according to the results of the votes published on the Parliament`s website.