Can Bitcoin help the opposition in Iran?

[suzanne5223]

I don't understand how Starlink internet work. So I don't know if it is still possible to smuggle or if there's any chance to use Starlink in Iran since the internet was not officially available in Iran.
I also read that their government is doing alot of activities like jamming GPS signals and Starlink frequencies like raiding homes/rooftops to seize Starlink dishes with penalty up to 2 years in prison.

The ongoing protest could change force control, and others unfair punishment giving to Iranian citizens while Bitcoin still stands as an investment option there. Besides, before the issue escalated I heard the number of Bitcoin holders from there  increased.

The situation is a risk that may cause the loss of lives if found holding Bitcoin by the government. Even the mesh network that allows people to use a sim to connect to their wallet and have a bit of internet access may be a scam by the government to catch and trap all those found wanting.
We can't even begin to talk about star links that is being jammed by the government and other possible ways to have access to the Internet may be considered a crime if found.
There may be other smarter ways to have access to ones Bitcoin savings wallet without the government knowing, but in war, no one is trustworthy and even friends can act as spy and this complicates the whole scenario I must say.

Based on what i know about the Iranian stance towards Bitcoin last year. Despite the harsh rules and regulations of the Iranian government, holding Bitcoin ^{(the same thing goes for its mining)} cant lead to loss of life for anyone since Bitcoin is not illegal there, but strictly licensed.
If you remember, last year, Iran's largest cryptocurrency exchange (Nobitex) was hacked by Israel due to a conflict.
Having said that, the Iranians who are caught using the banned internet, like Starlink, may face severe punishment.

[Hispo]

I personally like the idea of using short wage radio to send Bitcoin transactions to the Blockchain in a country as repressive as Iran. Though, I am not even sure if something like that has been applied in the past and to what extent is doable.
Whatever the case, it seems to me that the rebellion in Iran could be considered as a example on how the government could effectively restrict people from using Bitcoin in the case they decide to completely shut down internet in the country, of course, something like that is very unlikely to happen in a western democracy like the United States and within the Eropean Union, but the possibility is always there.

[Lucius]

~snip~
Whatever the case, it seems to me that the rebellion in Iran could be considered as a example on how the government could effectively restrict people from using Bitcoin in the case they decide to completely shut down internet in the country, of course, something like that is very unlikely to happen in a western democracy like the United States and within the Eropean Union, but the possibility is always there.

Those democracies you mention are not exactly the way people who are far from them imagine them - because look at what's happening in the US where they arrest people on the streets because of their appearance, accent or simply because someone doesn't like them. I don't see that it is impossible to resort to such measures in these democracies in the event that the authorities feel seriously threatened.

Even when the UK was in the EU, I watched a documentary in which the methods of terrorizing their residents were shown in such a way that they would park a vehicle with special cameras that would then record people passing by and then analyze them with the help of AI, and those that the computer would mark would be immediately stopped and checked.

Of course, AI did a terrible job and most people were innocent, but that just shows that the authorities are not afraid to do anything and that human rights are actually an illusion.

[stompix]

Could Bitcoiners help the Iranian opposition to receive donations in Bitcoin and use cryptocurrency to transact? Some possible strategies:
- Smuggle satellite communication equipment into Iran, for example for Starlink (Can even be a profitable business, although it shouldn't be too expensive.)

Both Russia and the US have devices that can track and pinpoint a terminal from 10-25 km, you just need a Ka/Ku band instead of the lower frequencies used for AA radars, and that's it, all you need more is the artillery to nullify it in one shot! Also those are mobiles, so multiply the range by a vehicle driving at 90kmh and good luck!

- Provide strong wireless internet signal from neighboring countries at the country's borders (e.g. at the border to Turkey). Idem, could even be profitable.

This border, lol:


Again, broadcast a signal, and there is 155mmm headign fro you!

- Help to build up mesh networks, which can share the Internet and also Bitcoin networking. This could be a "safety net" if the government tries to shut down the Internet again.

Mesh networks still need connections to the internet, problem from points 1 and 2 still not solved!

- Introduce equipment to receive and broadcast Bitcoin blocks and transactions over alternative means like shortwave radio. This should however only be used for emergencies.

Jammers are also easy to pick up!

- Software tools to hide the reception of Bitcoin or other "subversive" communication, to avoid to get catched by the police.
- Share strategies to hide communication equipment.

Irrelevant as points 1 2 and 3 still stand!

And as far as I know, one of our bitcointalk reputated member is from Iran pooya87, and I checked his profile, and according to his profile details, his last seen on the forum was 8 Jan 2026. I hope he is doing well.

Oh, I'm sure he's doing fine, he is probably out beating protesters as he has always kissed the ass of the Ayatollah , the basij and the IRGC terrorists, calling everyone who criticizes them a zionist or other thing.
He probably has found a second job working for Iran's propaganda machine!

[AmoreJaz]

I personally like the idea of using short wage radio to send Bitcoin transactions to the Blockchain in a country as repressive as Iran. Though, I am not even sure if something like that has been applied in the past and to what extent is doable.
Whatever the case, it seems to me that the rebellion in Iran could be considered as a example on how the government could effectively restrict people from using Bitcoin in the case they decide to completely shut down internet in the country, of course, something like that is very unlikely to happen in a western democracy like the United States and within the Eropean Union, but the possibility is always there.

Let us put it this way, Iran has indeed deviate their protocols from the norms. Their way of life is quite restricted and it is like their citizens are being oppressed. A different approach is inevitable in this country as they have quite unique way of governing people.

[DeeppRockk]

I personally like the idea of using short wage radio to send Bitcoin transactions to the Blockchain in a country as repressive as Iran. Though, I am not even sure if something like that has been applied in the past and to what extent is doable.
Whatever the case, it seems to me that the rebellion in Iran could be considered as a example on how the government could effectively restrict people from using Bitcoin in the case they decide to completely shut down internet in the country, of course, something like that is very unlikely to happen in a western democracy like the United States and within the Eropean Union, but the possibility is always there.

Let us put it this way, Iran has indeed deviate their protocols from the norms. Their way of life is quite restricted and it is like their citizens are being oppressed. A different approach is inevitable in this country as they have quite unique way of governing people.

Bitcoin's censorship resistance could help people in Iran bypass state controls in theory. But here's the catch: internet restrictions make accessing crypto tough. Even if someone gets bitcoin quietly, spending it without leaving traces is another headache. Peer-to-peer meetups? They're a risk magnet. Plus, volatility messes with stability when survival's on the line. 

The real snag is execution. Discreetly trading crypto under tight surveillance isn't easy. Physical meetups invite attention, and even if you dodge that, sudden price swings could wipe out savings. It's not impossible, but the hurdles are steep-especially when basic stability matters most. 

People need tools that work reliably under pressure. Bitcoin's potential is there, but the gap between theory and practice is wide. Practical barriers often overshadow the tech's promise in these scenarios.

[Furball808]

The west isn't for genuine revolutions ever or anywhere.

The sanctions imposed on Iran means that you and I could be landed in jail or at best have our bank accounts closed if we send money to Iranian institutions or individuals. And for Iranians to buy crypto they would need access to institutions willing to take their cash in exchange for crypto. But anyone in the west is barred from accepting Iranian currency.

So once again, the sanctions harm the people.

Use a very discreet wallet address, one with no previous transactions. It can be sent to even just one person in Iran who uses bitcoin too. This is exactly what bitcoin was built for. Meant to be used for p2p transactions without any third parties and in which supply is fixed unlike fiat where it can collapse anytime. The state can still block off bitcoin but
it may be possible.
Prayers to our Iranian friends.

[ThemePen]

At beginning of 2026, human crisis in Iran is nearing breaking point, with reports guessing number of people dead to be as many as 20,000 and over 330,000 injured since late December 2025. In order to make sure that world does not see this, government began complete internet block on January 8, yet Bitcoin has begun to save many as local money dropped to more than 1.1 million per USD.

Although government itself is also hiding its own funds on crypto under cover of hiding its own money, protesters are fighting digital iron curtain with guessed 100,000 handheld Starlink boxes brought in secretly and hidden as regular objects and with Bluetooth group networks like Bitchat which has more than 1.4 million downloads to send payment data offline.

I think technology, such as satellite internet and radio-based Bitcoin sending through Darkwire, are clever, but such game is very dangerous, as cat and mouse, since drones and electronic sensors are now used by government to find these signals. So, most effective way of helping other side is not just sending money, but getting offline first devices such as solar powered offline wallets and group radios so that their talks would not be noticed by government.

[Darker45]

If it's general funding to the top opposition leaders especially coming from outside the country, or perhaps even from the top leaders to the sub-leaders, yeah, Bitcoin greatly helps. The problem comes with its actual consumption on the ground. Especially with the outage of the internet, it's cold cash that would mobilize people, bring food to their families' table, provide ground logistics for whatever movements, and so on. So, I think the biggest problem is how to make Bitcoin funding effective on the ground.

[Achalugo BTC]

Bitcoin certainly has the power to help, whether it is in the opposition or not, and it can help anyone. Since the situation in Iran is very dire right now because many people have been killed in this war, I heard in the media. Now they are deprived of the internet, but their national currency has been destroyed a lot due to this war in Iran. But it is definitely most important for Iran to get back online at this time.

Very right, Iran's situation is bad as the economy are struggling, which are affecting the people there in one way or the other, especially the internet shutdown just as you have said earlier but these can be adjusted by the use of Bitcoin, because Bitcoin is the only thing that can help people in time of war like this, that is why they use do all what it takes to restore crypto access, because it will help them to be able to do transactions.