- Iran could utilize cryptocurrency to get around international sanctions, according to the spokesman for Iran’s parliament’s economic commission
- Money transmission using cryptocurrencies could be a way to get around sanctions
- According to the research, some 700 bitcoins are traded every day in Iran
Cryptocurrencies, according to an Iranian official, might be utilised to solve challenges connected to international sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic. They can’t ignore the phenomena of cryptocurrencies, said Gholamreza Marhaba, a spokeswoman for Iran’s parliament’s economic panel, late on Wednesday.
Everyday Bitcoin trades in Iran
According to the official ISNA news agency, transferring money via cryptocurrencies could be a way to get around sanctions and mitigate their effects on the economy. He was speaking while the Iranian parliament debated a study on the size of the cryptocurrency sector and how to best exploit the technology. According to the research, some 700 bitcoins are traded every day in Iran.
Similarly, according to the analysis, Iran mines 19,500 bitcoins every year, compared to 324,000 globally. According to Marhaba, good cryptocurrency management could generate prospects for (Iran’s) economy.
In September 2018, Iran became one of the first countries in the world to legalise bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies mining. After national power outages in May, then-President Hassan Rouhani declared a four-month moratorium on all bitcoin mining.
Mining bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for profit necessitates a massive number of computers dedicated to solving purposefully difficult equations — an endeavour that consumes more electricity globally than entire countries. Unlicensed bitcoin miners are frequently criticised by Iranian officials for consuming large quantities of electricity. According to Michel Rauchs, a cryptocurrency consultant and specialist, Iran accounts for around 5% to 10% of global bitcoin mining.
Subculture of cryptography
There is a thriving subculture of blockchain and cryptocurrency enthusiasts in Tehran, like in any other big metropolis. The Iranian Blockchain Association is a formal organisation, but there are other informal groups of researchers, students, investors, and hobbyists. Such organisations meet on a regular basis in local restaurants, produce podcasts, and run dedicated news sites such as CoinIran. There, they talk about the latest technology, argue the merits of competing cryptocurrencies, and provide financial advice and fraud alerts. There have even been rumours of bitcoin mining operations being set up in mosques as recently as June 2019.
Mining cryptocurrencies, like using them to execute transactions, is, nevertheless, debatable and inconsistently lawful. On June 3, a plan was announced that would make mining legal once more. As a result, pending criminal charges against people who mined illegally will be withdrawn, and their equipment will be restored.
Steve Anderson is an Australian crypto enthusiast. He is a specialist in management and trading for over 5 years. Steve has worked as a crypto trader, he loves learning about decentralisation, understanding the true potential of the blockchain.