Iran Caps Stablecoin Purchases at $5,000 Per Year

Iran has unveiled sweeping new restrictions on stablecoin use, setting strict limits on how much citizens can buy and hold each year. The Central Bank’s High Council confirmed the rules on Sept. 27, at a time when the rial has sunk to an all-time low against the U.S. dollar.

Good to know

• Annual purchases are capped at $5,000 per person.
• Total holdings cannot exceed $10,000 in stablecoins.
• The rial recently hit 1,136,500 per U.S. dollar ahead of renewed UN sanctions.

New Policy Details

The limits apply to all users on licensed digital asset platforms and must be enforced within one month. Current holders are also required to adjust their balances.

Asghar Abolhasani, secretary of the High Council, explained the new restrictions clearly:

“From now on, the ceiling for purchasing stablecoins is set at $5,000 per user annually, and holdings cannot exceed $10,000.”

Violations may lead to penalties, creating uncertainty for many traders who rely on crypto markets as a lifeline.

The Importance of Stablecoins in Iran

Stablecoins like Tether (USDT) have become essential for everyday Iranians coping with a collapsing currency and rampant inflation. They allow citizens to protect savings from devaluation and offer businesses an alternative channel for cross-border transfers amid sanctions.

For thousands, stablecoins are also a tool for income, trading, and preserving wealth in an economy where access to hard currency is tightly controlled.

The Sanctions Angle

Authorities’ concern goes beyond households and traders. Reports suggest that state-linked entities have also used stablecoins, especially USDT, to fund proxy groups, import sensitive goods, and bypass sanctions. Much of this activity reportedly flows through networks like Tron, which offer low-cost transfers.

The move comes as international pressure on Iran increases. United Nations sanctions are being reimposed, and geopolitical tensions involving Israel and the United States have spurred spikes in crypto usage.

This is not the first time the government has restricted access to alternative stores of value. In past economic crises, similar caps were placed on U.S. dollars and gold in an attempt to stabilize the rial. Those efforts largely pushed demand underground, fueling black markets instead.