2026-01-03 00:21:20

In Iran, protecting one's assets is like fighting an invisible battle. The rial depreciates by over 40% annually, and people's hedging strategies are evolving—from traditional gold hoarding to embracing Bitcoin. This shift reflects not only technological updates but also the true state of a country's control over its currency.

Why is gold no longer popular?

Once, the wealth secret of Iran's middle class was gold. By 2025, the price of a gold coin has soared to 1.7 billion rials, doubling in just half a year. It sounds good, but the reality is harsh: the government tightly controls dollar exchange, making buying and selling USD a pipe dream; physical gold stored at home also risks theft. As for real estate? Down payments in Tehran require 80%-90%, and ordinary people struggle to get on the property ladder. An annualized 18% interest on bank deposits was once a lifeline, but the 2017 rial crash cut off this route entirely.

Why has Bitcoin become the new favorite?

Three reasons explain this. First, Bitcoin's supply is fixed and will never be "printed" into excess. By 2025, local Bitcoin prices in Iran are 70% higher than the global average, and people see it as a "digital gold" store of value. Second, stablecoin USDT has become a helpful tool for cross-border transactions. Those engaged in international trade have discovered that accepting crypto for overseas remittances completely bypasses banking restrictions. An Iranian programmer mentioned this. Third, the entry barrier is low—no need for huge down payments, small amounts can be played, and young people can even buy coins through local "Cafe Bazaar" platforms, with some exchanging game tokens for cryptocurrencies in reverse.

What is the government thinking?

Iranian authorities' attitude towards cryptocurrencies has been fluctuating, which itself reveals the complexity of the issue.

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DAOdreamer

· 7h ago

The Riyal plummeted by 40%, gold is stuck, and houses are unaffordable. No wonder Iranians are rushing into Bitcoin. Bitcoin is still 70% more expensive. It seems to have truly become a hard currency. I need to think about how USDT bypasses regulations. Buying coins at Coffee Bazaar... this move is way too underground. The government's wavering attitude shows one thing: they just can't control it. Small investments are way more satisfying than gold. No wonder young people are trading game tokens for coins. This is a true reflection of how real-world pressures are pushing people into Web3.

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HodlKumamon

· 7h ago

People who can stay calm even with a 40% devaluation of the Riyal, really have no big deal with Bitcoin's fluctuations. Just dollar-cost averaging (DCA) and it's done. Gold is hitting a bottleneck, but the crypto world is forging new paths. This is innovation born out of necessity. The bears are crying from the emotional impact. The 70% premium in Iran shows the data speaks for itself. How desperate must one be to see crypto as a lifeline? Buying coins at Coffee Bazaar? Just hearing about it gets us excited. We need to use VPNs to check prices, while they have physical stores. Truly enviable. Government indecisiveness might actually be good news, indicating ongoing negotiations. Completely banning it is simply impossible. Capital has no borders, but wallets are stained with blood and tears. Hugging all friends who have been beaten down by currency devaluation. In simple terms, the endgame of excessive currency issuance has long been statistically outperformed by Bitcoin.

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GasFeeCry

· 8h ago

Wow, the Riyal has depreciated to this extent, it's really incredible. No wonder Iranians are flocking to the crypto world; they can't beat Bitcoin in gold. Is the local price of Bitcoin 70% higher? That price gap is just too outrageous. No wonder everyone is mining. By the way, the government's wavering attitude is actually a covert admission that they can't compete with the market. Buying coins at Coffee Bazaar haha, Web3 is really everywhere. This must be the daily life in an inflationary country. Days without coins are truly crazy.

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DeFiChef

· 8h ago

The Riyal has become worthless, no wonder Iranians are turning to Bitcoin—this is the real safe haven strategy. Crypto prices are up 70%? That premium is a bit outrageous. When did buying coins at Coffee Bazaar become so popular? Banking annual interest at 18% can't save you; you really have to rely on yourself to stabilize the market. I agree that Bitcoin will never be devalued by printing—at least it's more reliable than playing with altcoins. Game tokens reversing into crypto? This little mechanism is interesting; young people really know how to play. What does the government's wavering attitude indicate? It shows they also know they can't stop it.

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YieldWhisperer

· 8h ago

Riyal devalued by 40%? That makes it very reasonable for Iranians to choose BTC, much more convenient than gold. Game tokens swapping currencies in reverse—this move is indeed clever. That 70% premium is truly outrageous; it seems the whole world wants to escape fiat currency. That's why I've always said self-custody is the way to go. 17 million for one coin sounds scary, but the real killer is the speed of devaluation. Government indecisiveness actually gives ordinary people room to operate; this is the charm of blockchain. Stablecoin USDT indeed bypasses many regulations; this logic works worldwide. Coffee Bazaar platform? Feels more active than official exchanges. Having a fixed supply—Bitcoin will always win.

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