Is crypto mining legal in Iran?

Crypto mining in Iran is legal if the miner holds a government permit and follows strict power rules. In practice, much of the country's mining has run without licences, using cheap subsidised electricity, and the state has spent years trying to shut it down. As of November 2026, officials still describe illegal mining as a strain on the grid. For trading and payment rules, see is crypto legal in Iran.

Is bitcoin mining legal in Iran?

Yes, with a permit. A cabinet directive dated August 4, 2019 recognised crypto mining as an industry, allowed inside and outside cities and in free trade zones, Al Jazeera reported. Miners need a licence from the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade. They may draw power from the national grid or from new plants built off-grid, and mined coins that are not exported, with the proceeds returned to Iran, are taxed.

Since October 2020 licensed miners have also faced a sales rule. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, citing state media, they must sell their coins directly to the Central Bank of Iran through channels it sets, so the bank can use them to pay for imports. The Energy Ministry caps each unit's output based on its subsidised energy use. Iran had issued more than 1,000 mining licences by then.

What are Iran's mining license electricity rules?

Electricity is the core of the rules. Under the 2019 directive, licensed miners pay a price tied to the average rial price Iran earns from exporting electricity, or 70% of the average price of exported natural gas. Mining with grid power or gas during peak hours is forbidden. Using power sold at household, farm or industrial rates for mining is also banned and can lead to legal action.

When supply runs short, the state has gone further. In 2021, after blackouts in several cities, President Hassan Rouhani announced a ban on all crypto mining until September 22, NBC News reported. For how much power mining uses, see how much electricity bitcoin mining uses.

Does Iran mine bitcoin at scale?

It has. Blockchain analytics firm Elliptic estimated Iran accounted for about 4.5% of global bitcoin mining from January to April 2021, NBC News reported. The government said at the time that about 85% of the country's mining was unlicensed.

In February 2025 Tavanir said it had confiscated more than 240,000 illegal devices drawing about 800 MW, and estimated that around three times as many were still running. Its chief blamed electricity prices far below the cost of production. A ban on advertising mining machines was also reported. In June 2026 Deputy Energy Minister Mostafa Mashhadi told the Fars news agency that Iran had plans to find and shut down illegal operations, and authorities routinely pay rewards for tips. Comparisons with other countries are in is crypto mining legal, and Iran's wider sanctions context is in how is crypto used to evade sanctions.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check local regulators or a qualified professional for your own situation.