IRGC Crypto: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Connects to Global Crypto Regulations
When people talk about IRGC crypto, the term refers not to a cryptocurrency but to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ role in shaping Iran’s crackdown on digital currency use. Also known as Revolutionary Guard crypto restrictions, it’s a political and legal phenomenon, not a token. The IRGC doesn’t create coins—it bans them. And in doing so, it’s forced millions of Iranians to turn to crypto just to survive economic collapse.
Iran’s government, under pressure from U.S. sanctions and hyperinflation, has tried to block access to global exchanges like Binance and OKX. But crypto doesn’t care about borders. Traders use VPNs, tools that mask online identity to bypass state firewalls. Also known as crypto bypass networks, they’re the lifeline for Iranians trying to send money abroad or buy stablecoins like lisUSD. The IRGC responds by cracking down—tracking IP addresses, pressuring local ISPs, and even arresting users. Free VPNs? They’re often traps. Many are run by state-linked actors who steal wallet keys. Paid services? Still risky. Detection tools have gotten so good that even encrypted traffic can be flagged.
It’s not just about access. It’s about survival. When banks freeze accounts and the rial loses half its value in a month, crypto becomes the only way to feed your family. People trade on local platforms like Nobitex, but even those are under constant threat. The Iranian crypto ban, a set of laws enforced by the IRGC and Central Bank to criminalize crypto transactions. Also known as crypto prohibition in Iran, it carries fines up to $213,000 and prison time—similar to Egypt’s crypto laws. Yet, adoption keeps growing. Why? Because there’s no choice. This isn’t speculation. It’s necessity.
The same tension plays out elsewhere. Saudi Arabia bans banks from touching crypto. Nigeria’s rules flip every year. The U.S. lets banks custody Bitcoin—but only if they jump through a maze of licenses. The crypto trading restrictions, government policies designed to control or block digital asset use. Also known as crypto censorship, they’re not about security—they’re about control. The IRGC is just the most extreme example. What you’ll find in these posts isn’t hype. It’s real stories: traders caught, exchanges shut down, airdrops that never happened, and platforms that vanished overnight. These aren’t rumors. They’re case studies in how power tries—and often fails—to stop money from flowing freely.