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Iranian authorities shut down internet access nationwide on Thursday as economic protests spread across the country, cutting off an estimated seven million crypto users and disrupting billions of dollars in digital asset activity amid a severe currency crisis.
The Iran nationwide blackout began as demonstrations erupted across the country over worsening economic conditions and the sharp decline of the Iranian rial, which recently hit record lows against the US dollar.
According to Cointelegraph, the government moved to restrict internet access as protests intensified, effectively isolating large segments of the population from online services.
“Iran was cut off from the internet as protests spread across the Middle Eastern country,” — Cointelegraph, in a report on the blackout.
The shutdown has significant implications in a country where crypto adoption is already substantial. Statista estimates that around seven million Iranians—out of a population of approximately 92 million—are crypto users.
Separate data from TRM Labs shows roughly $3.7 billion in total crypto flows into and out of Iran between January and July 2025, underscoring the scale of activity now affected by the Iran nationwide blackout.
Some international observers have pointed to Bitcoin as a potential hedge against currency collapse. “Buying Bitcoin could be a solution as a store of wealth,” — Hunter Horsley, CEO, Bitwise, reflecting a view held by some crypto advocates watching the situation unfold.
Despite the challenges posed by the Iran nationwide blackout, several technologies could still allow limited crypto use without conventional internet access. One option is satellite-based connectivity, such as Elon Musk’s Starlink, which can provide high-speed internet in areas otherwise cut off from the global web.
Starlink previously restored connectivity during a June 2025 blackout, and there have been calls for Musk to deploy the system again. Unconfirmed reports suggest the request may already have been quietly approved, though no official confirmation has been provided.
Another alternative comes from Bitcoin infrastructure firm Blockstream. Its satellite network broadcasts Bitcoin blockchain data globally without relying on terrestrial internet connections. This allows users to receive blockchain updates even during an Iran nationwide blackout, though sending transactions still presents hurdles.
“Starlink provides two-way high-speed internet by connecting user dishes to satellites,” Cointelegraph explained, highlighting why satellite tools are viewed as critical during connectivity disruptions.
Beyond satellites, decentralized communication tools are also drawing attention amid the Iran nationwide blackout. Some users have experimented with Jack Dorsey’s peer-to-peer messaging service, Bitchat, which uses Bluetooth mesh networks to transmit messages between nearby devices.
Through this method, Bitcoin transaction data can be relayed from phone to phone without the internet. However, at least one device must eventually connect online for the transaction to be confirmed on-chain, limiting its effectiveness during prolonged shutdowns.
Interest in such tools has surged. Data from Chromestats shows Bitchat has been downloaded more than 1.4 million times since launch, including nearly 20,000 downloads in a single day, reflecting growing curiosity about offline crypto options during events like the Iran nationwide blackout.
Several projects are also in development to address crypto usage during internet shutdowns. Darkwire, unveiled in May 2025 by a pseudonymous developer known as Cyb3r17, uses long-range radio technology to create decentralized mesh networks capable of transmitting Bitcoin transactions without internet access. The project is currently undergoing a major rewrite, according to its GitHub repository.
Another solution, Machankura, was reportedly developed by South African software developer Kgothatso Ngako. The system allows users to send and receive Bitcoin using basic mobile phones without internet access by leveraging telecom networks, according to a March 2023 Forbes report and the project’s website.
As the Iran nationwide blackout persists, these tools highlight both the resilience and limitations of crypto in extreme conditions.
While complete isolation remains a barrier, the growing ecosystem of satellite, radio, and peer-to-peer technologies suggests that digital assets may still offer partial functionality—even when traditional internet infrastructure goes dark.
