Iran Accepts Cryptocurrency as Payment for Advanced Weapons to Bypass Sanctions
On January 2, 2026, it was reported that Iran's Ministry of Defense Export Center (Mindex) has begun accepting cryptocurrency as payment for advanced weapons. This move aims to bypass international sanctions. Prospective buyers can purchase missiles, tanks, and drones using cryptocurrencies, with payments also accepted in Iranian rial and through bartering. No prices are displayed on Mindex's official website.
Mindex, which manages Iran's overseas defense sales, claims to have clients in 35 countries. The Financial Times notes this as one of the first known cases of a country accepting cryptocurrency for military equipment. Although crypto payments for transactions with sanctioned countries are already well established, Chainalysis reported that U.S.-sanctioned countries received nearly $16 billion in digital assets during 2024.
UN sanctions against Iran were re-imposed in 2025 after previously being lifted in 2015 concerning Iran's nuclear program.
