TechFlow news, January 15 — According to Nobsbitcoin, Iran's Central Bank (CBI) abruptly shut down payment channels for cryptocurrency exchanges without prior notice, restricting citizens' access to digital assets. This move comes amid a 37% depreciation of the Iranian rial against the US dollar in 2024, during which many Iranians had turned to digital assets such as bitcoin for financial protection.
The central bank is developing a centralized crypto management system similar to its banking network Shaparak, aiming to strengthen oversight of the cryptocurrency market. Last month, the CBI released its "Regulatory Framework for Cryptocurrency Monetary Policy," establishing itself as the primary regulatory authority in the sector. The Human Rights Foundation pointed out that for Iranians suffering from severe inflation and financial isolation, bitcoin represents one of the few remaining avenues for financial freedom—and authorities are now blocking this channel.
