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Iranian Bitcoin Transactions Estimated at $3.8M Since 2013

currency exchanges

The U.S. organization, known as Fincen, issued the warning in an advisory to assist U.S. banks and other financial actors such as cryptocurrency exchanges in identifying “potentially illicit transactions related to the Islamic Republic of Iran.” The document includes a lengthy section relating to crypto, as well as an estimate that “since 2013, Iran’s use of virtual currency includes at least $3.8 million worth of bitcoin-denominated transactions per year.”

Fincen noted that “while the use of virtual currency in Iran is comparatively small, virtual currency is an emerging payment system that may provide potential avenues for individuals and entities to evade sanctions.”

While reports have indicated that the Central Bank of Iran has prohibited domestic financial institutions from touching cryptocurrencies, Fincen stated that “individuals and businesses in Iran can still access virtual currency platforms through … Iran-located, internet-based virtual currency exchanges; U.S.- or other third country-based virtual currency exchanges; and peer-to-peer (P2P) exchangers.”

Fincen said that P2P cryptocurrency exchangers are a significant means through which Iran can bypass economic sanctions. It defined such individuals as people who offer to purchase, sell or otherwise exchange virtual currencies, either face to face or through websites. It added that “P2P exchangers may operate as unregistered foreign (money services businesses) in jurisdictions that prohibit such businesses; where virtual currency is hard to access, such as Iran; or for the purpose of evading the prohibitions or restrictions in place against such businesses or virtual currency exchanges and other similar business in some jurisdictions.”