Crypto Exchanges That Accept Iranian Citizens in 2025

Iranian citizens face real barriers when trying to use traditional banks for international transactions. Sanctions have cut off access to SWIFT, blocked dollar accounts, and made it nearly impossible to send or receive money from abroad. In this vacuum, cryptocurrency has become more than a speculative asset-it’s a lifeline. Over 11 million Iranians now use digital currencies to pay for goods, save value, and move money across borders. But not all crypto exchanges let them in. Some block Iranian IPs outright. Others freeze funds without warning. And a few, like Nobitex, have been hacked for over $90 million. So which exchanges still work in 2025? Here’s what actually works, based on real user reports and recent enforcement actions.

Domestic Exchange: Nobitex-The Giant That Fell

Nobitex is Iran’s biggest crypto exchange. It handles more than 87% of all local crypto trades. It’s where most Iranians buy Bitcoin, sell Ethereum, and swap Tether. But in June 2025, hackers stole $90 million from its wallets. The breach exposed how fragile its security was. Then, in July, Tether froze 42 Iranian-linked addresses-many of them tied to Nobitex. The exchange was already under sanctions, but after the hack, it became a target. Users lost money. Some never got it back. Now, Nobitex is still operational, but trust is gone. Many Iranians have moved on.

International Exchanges That Still Work

While domestic platforms struggle, several global exchanges still let Iranians sign up and trade. These aren’t officially endorsed by Iran-they don’t advertise there. But users find them anyway. Here are the top five that still work as of November 2025, based on deposit limits, coin selection, fees, and user feedback.

These platforms don’t ask for your passport number during signup. But if you use a VPN to bypass geo-blocks, they might flag your account later. Some users report being locked out after a few months. Others stay active for over a year. It’s unpredictable. What’s consistent? They all accept crypto deposits. No bank transfers. No credit cards. You need to buy Bitcoin or USDT from a peer, then send it over.

KuCoin and BingX: The Alternative Picks

Not everyone trusts the top five. KuCoin gets high marks from Iranian traders who want more than just spot trading. It offers savings accounts that pay interest in crypto, copy trading where you mirror experienced users, and even crypto loans. Its interface is clean, and it supports Persian language in its help center-rare for international platforms. BingX is similar but leans more toward futures and margin trading. It’s not beginner-friendly, but if you know what you’re doing, it’s one of the few places with deep liquidity for Iranian-traded altcoins.

Both KuCoin and BingX have lower ratings on some review sites, but that’s because they don’t have Persian customer service. If you get locked out, you’re on your own. Still, thousands of Iranians use them daily. One user in Tehran told me: “I don’t trust Nobitex anymore. KuCoin doesn’t answer my emails, but my money is safe. That’s better.”

What Changed in 2025? USDT Is Out, DAI Is In

Before July 2025, almost every Iranian trader held USDT. It was the default stablecoin-easy to buy, easy to send. Then Tether froze over $200 million in Iranian-linked wallets. The message was clear: don’t use us. Overnight, the market shifted. Users started swapping USDT for DAI, a decentralized stablecoin built on the Polygon network. Why? Because DAI isn’t controlled by a company. You can’t freeze it unless you lose your private keys.

Now, most Iranian traders use DAI as their base currency. They buy it via decentralized exchanges like SushiSwap or QuickSwap, then move it to MEXC or XT.com. The process takes 10 minutes. It’s cheaper than using centralized services. And it’s harder for sanctions to hit. The Iranian government even encouraged this shift through crypto influencers. It’s not just a technical change-it’s a survival tactic.

Iran’s New Crypto Tax Law

In August 2025, Iran passed its first law taxing crypto profits. It’s called the Law on Taxation of Speculation and Profiteering. It treats Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets the same as gold, real estate, and forex. If you make a profit, you owe tax. The government hasn’t started auditing yet, but it’s coming. They’re building a blockchain monitoring system with help from Russian and Chinese firms.

This law doesn’t ban crypto. It tries to control it. The message: we don’t stop you from using crypto, but we want our cut. Many traders are now keeping records of every trade. Some are even filing voluntary tax reports to avoid future penalties. It’s a strange twist-sanctions forced Iranians into crypto, and now the state wants to tax it.

Security Risks and How to Avoid Them

Using crypto in Iran isn’t safe. Not because the exchanges are evil-but because the environment is unstable. Here’s what you need to do:

• Never keep large amounts on an exchange. Withdraw to a hardware wallet like Ledger or Trezor after trading.
• Use a VPN. Some exchanges block Iranian IPs. A reliable one (like NordVPN or ExpressVPN) helps you sign up and log in.
• Avoid USDT. Use DAI or BUSD instead. USDT is too risky.
• Don’t share your seed phrase. Ever. Even with “support staff.” Legit exchanges will never ask for it.
• Use two-factor authentication. Google Authenticator, not SMS.

One Iranian trader lost $15,000 after giving his password to someone claiming to be from “MEXC Support.” That person was a scammer. There is no Persian-language customer service on these platforms. If someone messages you first, it’s fake.

What’s Next for Iranian Crypto Users?

The future is decentralized. More Iranians are moving away from centralized exchanges entirely. They’re using wallets like MetaMask, swapping tokens on Uniswap or SushiSwap, and earning interest through Aave or Compound. The learning curve is steeper, but the control is total. No one can freeze your wallet. No government can shut it down. No exchange can disappear overnight.

For now, the best strategy is simple: use international exchanges like MEXC or XT.com to trade, keep your main funds in DAI on a hardware wallet, and avoid USDT. If you’re new, start with KuCoin-it’s the friendliest. If you’re experienced, try Bitsgap for automation. And always, always back up your keys.

The sanctions won’t end soon. Banks won’t reopen. But crypto? It’s still working. Not because it’s perfect. But because it’s the only thing left that isn’t broken.