Crypto for Iranians: How to Trade, Avoid Scams, and Stay Safe in 2025

For many Iranians, crypto, a decentralized digital asset that operates outside traditional banking systems. Also known as digital currency, it has become a critical tool for preserving wealth and accessing global markets. With strict capital controls and inflation eating away at the rial, crypto isn’t just an investment—it’s a survival mechanism. People use it to pay for imports, send money abroad, and even buy food when banks won’t let them withdraw their own savings.

But not all crypto is safe. P2P crypto, a peer-to-peer trading method that lets users buy and sell directly without a central exchange. Also known as local crypto trading, it’s the backbone of crypto access in Iran. Platforms like LocalTrade and Decoin pop up promising easy trades, but many are scams with fake volume or no withdrawal options. You’ll find real traders on Telegram groups or local markets using USDT to swap for cash—no bank account needed. Meanwhile, KYC requirements, the process of verifying your identity to use a crypto platform. Also known as identity verification, it’s something most Iranians avoid entirely. Most exchanges that demand ID are either blocked by the government or too risky to use. That’s why tools like VoltSwap and Spacemesh, which need no personal data, are gaining traction. They let you trade or mine crypto without ever giving your name.

Scams are everywhere. You’ll see fake airdrops for tokens like HAPPY, BABYDB, or LEOS—promises of free money that vanish the second you send a small fee. Real opportunities, like the Metahero (HERO) token drops, are rare and never ask for upfront payments. The same goes for projects like Margaritis (MARGA)—a coin with zero supply, no team, and no way to buy it. These aren’t mistakes; they’re traps. The best defense is knowing what’s real: check if a token has live trading volume, a public team, and a working blockchain. If it’s just a price on a tracker with no exchange listing, walk away.

Iranians aren’t waiting for permission. They’re building their own crypto ecosystem—using privacy coins, sidechains like Liquid Network, and tools like Hey Anon to trade with voice commands. They’re learning how wrapping works to move Bitcoin into DeFi, and how to estimate gas fees so they don’t overpay. They’re avoiding the delisted privacy coins and steering clear of platforms that require $379 million in capital—like Vietnam’s rules, which are just as unrealistic here. What you’ll find below are real reviews, honest breakdowns, and clear warnings about what’s working and what’s dead. No fluff. No hype. Just what Iranians actually use—and what they avoid.