Amid one of the sharpest currency crises in recent Iranian history, Bitcoin has surged in value against the Iranian Rial (IRR), reflecting soaring demand for alternative stores of wealth. As the rial plunges and inflation spikes, frustrated citizens are turning to BTC to preserve savings, triggering protests that have prompted government-imposed internet blackouts.
Bitcoin Price Skyrockets Against the Iranian Rial
Data from Google Finance shows that Bitcoin has exploded against the Iranian national currency, with one BTC currently worth over $105 billion. Meanwhile, this historic gain against the rial follows the currency’s 95% overnight crash amid rising inflation.
Interestingly, the rial had depreciated sharply throughout 2025, losing around 45% of its value against the U.S. dollar over the year, and inflation reached about 42.5% in December. Therefore, the rapid loss of confidence in the rial has stirred widespread public anger.
Protests over the sharp decline in the currency’s value erupted in the country’s capital, with merchants and ordinary citizens taking to the streets to express frustration over economic hardship. The government, in turn, responded to the intensifying demonstrations with nationwide internet blackouts aimed at curbing mobilization and restricting access to information.
Iranian Rial’s Decline Against The US Dollar
Iran’s currency crisis has deepened due to long-standing international sanctions, reduced oil revenue, geopolitical conflict, and domestic economic mismanagement. The rial’s fall has been dramatic, with unofficial forex markets recently quoting the U.S. dollar at about 1.4 million rials, a historic low. While some sources circulating around claim that the Rial has dropped to 0 against the US dollar
Interestingly, Bitcoin pundit Lark Davis, when commenting on the crisis, showed a conversion metric that reveals 1 billion rials is currently worth just $879, showing how badly this currency’s value has deteriorated in international terms.
Traditionally, Iranians have turned to the US dollar as a store of value in times of instability; however, restricted access and soaring black-market premiums have limited its availability, prompting them to consider BTC as an exit option.
Bitcoin Fixes This
For many Iranians, Bitcoin has shifted from a speculative asset to a practical store of value. Unlike the rial, whose purchasing power is rapidly evaporating, BTC offers a way to shield savings from inflation and currency depreciation.
Interestingly, several industry experts, including Lark Davis, point to Bitcoin as the solution for Iranians, emphasizing its capped supply and global liquidity as shields against external pressure. Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that prior to the recent crash, BTC adoption in the Middle East and North Africa had increased due to its role as a store of value and a hedge against inflation.
Therefore, although Bitcoin cannot fix the structural collapse, its decentralized framework can enable individuals to preserve wealth when local currencies falter. As the rial’s struggles deepen and public discontent grows, the narrative of Bitcoin as a financial lifeline continues to gain traction in Iran’s unfolding economic story.
The CoinRemark Team
