Crypto & Blockchain

Crypto Exchanges That Accept Iranian Citizens in 2025

November 18, 2025 20 Comments By Kurt Marquardt

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For millions of Iranians, cryptocurrency isn’t just an investment-it’s a lifeline. With international banking restrictions cutting off access to SWIFT, PayPal, and global payment systems, digital assets have become the primary way people send money, buy goods, and protect savings from inflation. But finding a reliable exchange that actually works for Iranian users isn’t easy. Many platforms claim to accept users from sanctioned countries, but only a handful truly deliver on security, liquidity, and support. Here’s what actually works in 2025.

Nobitex: The Domestic Giant Under Fire

Nobitex handles over 87% of all crypto trades inside Iran. With more than 11 million registered users, it’s the go-to platform for buying Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether using Iranian rials. It’s simple, Persian-language support, and integrated bank transfers make it the default choice for most locals.

But things fell apart in June 2025. Hackers stole over $90 million from Nobitex in one of the biggest exchange breaches of the year. The attack exposed deep security flaws-weak wallet controls, poor internal monitoring, and a lack of multi-sig protections. Even worse, blockchain analysts later linked several of the stolen funds to wallets tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. That triggered a crackdown.

In July 2025, Tether froze 42 Iranian-linked addresses, most of which had direct connections to Nobitex. Overnight, USDT became toxic for Iranian users. The government responded by pushing people toward DAI on the Polygon network, a faster, cheaper, and less-monitored stablecoin alternative. Nobitex is still operating, but trust has shattered. Many users are now moving away from centralized domestic exchanges entirely.

International Exchanges That Still Work for Iranians

While domestic options like Nobitex are risky, international platforms offer better security, deeper liquidity, and more coin choices. Here are the top five that Iranian users report still working in late 2025, based on real user feedback and trading data.

MEXC: Best for Low Fees and Wide Selection

MEXC scores 9.1 out of 10 among Iranian traders. It accepts users from Iran without asking for proof of residency. Minimum deposit? Just $30. You get access to 196 cryptocurrencies, including obscure altcoins that aren’t listed on local exchanges. Spot trading fees are 0.2% for makers-among the lowest in the industry. Users appreciate the clean interface and responsive mobile app. Many report successful deposits via peer-to-peer (P2P) USDT transfers from local sellers.

Bitsgap: Best for Automated Trading

Bitsgap doesn’t trade crypto itself-it connects to other exchanges like Binance, KuCoin, and MEXC. That’s a big plus for Iranians: you can automate trades across multiple platforms without needing to hold funds on a single exchange. No minimum deposit. Supports 673 cryptocurrencies. Ideal for users who want to set up grid bots or arbitrage strategies. Fees depend on the connected exchange, but most are under 0.2%. Users say it’s the most reliable tool for active traders avoiding direct exposure to sanctioned platforms.

XT.com: High Coin Count, Solid Reputation

XT.com supports over 1,000 cryptocurrencies-the most of any exchange on this list. Minimum deposit is $10. Maker fees are 0.2%, same as MEXC. It’s been around since 2018 and has never had a major hack. Iranian users report that withdrawals to personal wallets are processed within hours, even during sanctions enforcement waves. The platform doesn’t require proof of address, and Persian-language customer support is available via live chat during business hours.

LATOKEN: Low Entry, High Risk

LATOKEN lets you start with just $1. It supports 475 coins and charges a 0.49% maker fee. The interface is clunky, and customer service can be slow, but it’s one of the few platforms that still allows Iranian users to trade derivatives and futures. Many advanced traders use it for leveraged positions on low-cap tokens. But caution is key-LATOKEN has faced regulatory scrutiny in Europe, and some users report occasional delays in withdrawals during global compliance spikes.

CoinEx: Solid Alternative for Beginners

CoinEx matches LATOKEN on coin count (475) and minimum deposit ($1). Fees are also 0.49%. It’s not the fastest or cheapest, but it’s one of the most stable. The platform offers staking, savings accounts, and a simple copy-trading feature. Iranian users say it’s the most predictable for small traders who just want to buy Bitcoin or Ethereum and hold. Withdrawals are usually processed within 24 hours, even after the July 2025 freezes.

A multi-headed dragon representing top exchanges coils around a blockchain tree, while users pass DAI coins under sanctions.

What About KuCoin, BingX, and Others?

KuCoin is often recommended, but in 2025, Iranian users report mixed results. While it has a friendly interface and staking rewards, some accounts have been frozen without warning after deposits from P2P sellers linked to Nobitex. BingX is better for futures trading, but its 4.0/5 rating comes with a caveat: it’s harder to deposit now. Tapbit? Avoid it. Its 2.7/5 rating isn’t a fluke-users report long delays, unresponsive support, and frequent downtime.

The key difference? Platforms like MEXC, XT.com, and Bitsgap have built-in systems to detect high-risk flows. They don’t block Iranian users outright-they monitor for suspicious patterns. If you’re sending large USDT amounts from Nobitex, you’ll get flagged. But if you use P2P to buy DAI on Polygon, then transfer to MEXC, your chances of staying active are much higher.

How Iranian Users Are Adapting

After the July 2025 Tether freezes, Iranian crypto users didn’t give up-they evolved. The shift from USDT to DAI on Polygon was immediate. DAI is decentralized, runs on Ethereum’s Layer 2, and isn’t controlled by a single company. Many now use DEXs like SushiSwap or QuickSwap to swap USDT for DAI, then send it to international exchanges.

Some traders have moved entirely off centralized platforms. They use wallets like MetaMask, connect to DeFi protocols, and earn interest through lending on Aave or Compound. Others use Telegram-based P2P groups to buy crypto directly from sellers in Turkey, Azerbaijan, or the UAE, then transfer to non-sanctioned exchanges.

The Iranian government’s new capital gains tax law (August 2025) also changed the game. For the first time, profits from crypto trades are taxable. That means users now have to track their buys and sells. Many are using tools like Koinly or CoinTracker to log transactions manually. It’s not perfect-but it’s necessary.

A traveler on a wallet-camel crosses a desert of frozen USDT, heading toward a DeFi temple under a Bitcoin sky.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Never use your real name or address on exchanges that don’t require KYC. Use a pseudonym and a non-Iranian email.
Use DAI, not USDT for deposits and withdrawals. USDT is still being frozen. DAI is safer.
Start small. Test withdrawals with $10 before depositing larger amounts.
Enable 2FA and never share recovery phrases. Iranian users have been targeted by phishing scams using fake Nobitex login pages.
Use a VPN only if the exchange blocks Iranian IPs. Some platforms like MEXC don’t block them, so a VPN isn’t needed and can trigger extra scrutiny.

The Bottom Line

Iranian citizens can still trade crypto in 2025-but the landscape is more dangerous than ever. Nobitex is broken. USDT is risky. But alternatives exist. MEXC, Bitsgap, and XT.com are currently the most reliable for international access. DAI on Polygon is the new backbone of the Iranian crypto economy. And while the government is now taxing gains, the need for financial freedom hasn’t disappeared.

If you’re in Iran and want to use crypto, don’t rely on domestic exchanges anymore. Don’t trust USDT. Don’t assume big names like Binance or Coinbase will work-they don’t. Stick to the platforms that have proven they still let Iranians trade, even under pressure. The tools are there. The access still exists. But you need to be smarter, more cautious, and more adaptable than ever before.

Can Iranian citizens use Binance or Coinbase?

No. Binance and Coinbase officially block users from Iran due to U.S. sanctions. Even if you try to sign up with a VPN, your account will likely be frozen or restricted. These platforms have strict compliance systems that flag Iranian IPs and banking details. Stick to exchanges that don’t require KYC or have a track record of serving Iranian users, like MEXC or XT.com.

Is it legal to use crypto in Iran?

Yes, but with conditions. The Iranian government allows citizens to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrency for personal use. However, mining is heavily regulated, and trading for profit is now subject to capital gains tax under the August 2025 law. You can’t use crypto to pay for international goods or send money abroad through exchanges-that’s still illegal. But holding and trading domestically is tolerated, even if not fully endorsed.

Why is USDT being frozen for Iranian users?

Tether, the company behind USDT, froze 42 Iranian-linked addresses in July 2025 after identifying connections to Nobitex and IRGC-affiliated wallets. USDT is a centralized stablecoin, meaning Tether can freeze funds at the request of regulators. After the Nobitex hack, blockchain analysts found that many stolen funds flowed through wallets tied to sanctioned entities. To avoid legal liability, Tether acted aggressively. That’s why Iranian users are now switching to DAI, which is decentralized and can’t be frozen.

Which exchange has the lowest minimum deposit for Iranians?

Bitsgap has no minimum deposit requirement. LATOKEN and CoinEx allow deposits as low as $1. MEXC requires $30, and XT.com requires $10. If you’re starting with very little, Bitsgap is your best option because it connects to other exchanges-you don’t need to deposit directly into Bitsgap itself. You can fund your connected exchange (like MEXC) with $1 and use Bitsgap to automate trades.

Can I withdraw crypto from these exchanges to my personal wallet?

Yes, but be careful. Most exchanges on this list allow withdrawals to personal wallets like MetaMask or Trust Wallet. However, withdrawals of USDT are risky-many are being flagged or frozen. Always withdraw to DAI on Polygon or ETH directly. Avoid sending large amounts at once. Test with small withdrawals first. Also, make sure your wallet address isn’t linked to Nobitex or any other sanctioned exchange.

About the author

Kurt Marquardt

I'm a blockchain analyst and educator based in Boulder, where I research crypto networks and on-chain data. I consult startups on token economics and security best practices. I write practical guides on coins and market breakdowns with a focus on exchanges and airdrop strategies. My mission is to make complex crypto concepts usable for everyday investors.