Bitcoin becomes a safe haven choice amid Iran's economic crisis: protests escalate, rial crashes trigger a large-scale BTC withdrawal wave

January 16 News, as protests continue, inflation spirals out of control, and the national currency rial accelerates its depreciation, more and more Iranians are beginning to use Bitcoin as an important tool to hedge against economic risks. Multiple on-chain data points show that, amid social unrest and pressure on the financial system, Iranian users are accelerating the transfer of Bitcoin from platforms to personal wallets.

Blockchain intelligence firm Chainalysis pointed out that from December 28, 2025, to January 8, 2026, there was a noticeable change in on-chain behavior related to Iran. Especially after a widespread internet outage in Iran earlier this month, the daily inflow of Bitcoin into personal wallets increased significantly. The organization stated that this trend indicates that during the protests, Iranians' willingness and speed to hold Bitcoin are markedly higher than before.

The ongoing collapse of the rial is considered the direct cause of this phenomenon. Since the end of 2025, the Iranian rial has been continuously weakening in the open market, nearly losing value against major currencies like the euro, and there are even rumors that its exchange rate to the US dollar is “close to zero.” Against this backdrop, many families and individuals view digital assets as a means of preserving value to cope with the rapid loss of currency purchasing power.

Chainalysis's analysis indicates that in times of war, economic turmoil, or strict regulation, an increase in Bitcoin withdrawals is a global phenomenon. For many Iranians, Bitcoin and other digital assets are becoming a kind of “financial buffer,” providing relatively controllable liquidity options in restricted environments.

It is worth noting that the report also mentions that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) holds an important position in the country's cryptocurrency ecosystem. It is expected that by Q4 2025, related on-chain activities will account for about half of Iran's overall crypto market, highlighting its influence within the economic system. Data shows that Iran's cryptocurrency ecosystem had a scale of over $7.78 billion in 2025, with a growth rate significantly faster than the previous year.

In the face of ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, Bitcoin's role in Iran is gradually evolving from a speculative asset to a store of value and an economic hedge in the eyes of some citizens.