Bitwise CEO Points to Bitcoin as Iran’s Rial Collapses Amid Protests
On Dec. 30, 2025, Iran’s rial hit an all-time low against the US dollar, sparking street protests in Tehran and other major cities. Bitwise’s CEO flagged the situation as a catalyst for crypto use, noting that Bitcoin is increasingly viewed by residents as a store of value and a channel for remittances and cross-border transfers amid currency instability and limited banking access.
The shift matters because widening peer-to-peer and OTC activity in Iran could accelerate local crypto adoption and influence regional BTC flows, drawing greater regulatory and compliance scrutiny for global platforms. For traders and platforms, the development underscores the need to watch on-chain volumes, regional spreads, and P2P markets for early signals of changing demand and liquidity pressures.