Iran Accepts Cryptocurrency for Payment of Advanced Weapons Systems to Bypass Sanctions
Iran's Ministry of Defense Export Center (Mindex) has begun accepting cryptocurrency as payment for advanced weapons systems, aiming to bypass international sanctions. Prospective buyers can pay using cryptocurrency, Iranian rial, or barter, though no prices are displayed on Mindex's website.
This development is one of the first known instances of a country accepting cryptocurrency for military equipment, according to the Financial Times. Mindex manages Iran's overseas defense sales and reports having clients in 35 countries.
The use of cryptocurrency to conduct transactions with sanctioned countries is already well established in other contexts. Chainalysis reported in early 2025 that US-sanctioned countries received nearly $16 billion in digital assets in the prior year. The move follows the reimposition of UN sanctions against Iran in 2025 related to its nuclear program.
