Amid Iran's Internet Blackout: Exploring Crypto's Resilience
The recent government-imposed internet shutdown in Iran, sparked by widespread protests, has sparked a crucial question: How can Iranian citizens continue using cryptocurrency? With an estimated 7 million crypto users in a population of 92 million, according to Statista, the impact of this disruption is significant.
Between January and July 2025, TRM Labs recorded approximately $3.7 billion in crypto transactions in Iran. However, the internet blackout, triggered by economic turmoil and the Iranian rial's record-low value against the US dollar, poses a challenge to these users.
Some experts, like Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley, suggest Bitcoin (BTC) as a potential solution for wealth preservation. But what are the alternatives for Iranians without internet access?
Crypto Solutions Without Internet
Without internet connectivity, Iranians face hurdles in cryptocurrency transactions. Yet, several innovative technologies offer potential solutions.
Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system, for instance, can provide high-speed internet in previously underserved areas. There have been calls for Musk to deploy Starlink in Iran, similar to his previous response during a June 2025 blackout. Unconfirmed reports suggest Musk has discreetly granted this request.
Another option lies in the hands of Bitcoin infrastructure company Blockstream. Its satellite network can broadcast Bitcoin data globally without internet reliance. By connecting user dishes to satellites, Starlink enables two-way high-speed internet via laser and ground stations.
Interestingly, Jack Dorsey's decentralized messaging service, Bitchat, utilizes a Bluetooth mesh network for message transmission. Some users have discovered that this network can also facilitate Bitcoin transaction data exchange between phones.
However, a device with internet access is still necessary to confirm transactions on the blockchain.
Chromestats reveal that Bitchat has been downloaded over 1.4 million times since its launch, with a significant surge of 19,828 downloads in the last day and 460,724 in the last week.
Tools for Offline Crypto Usage
Additionally, several tools are being developed to enable offline cryptocurrency usage.
Cyb3r17, the creator of Darkwire, unveiled this tool in May 2025, utilizing long-range radio to create a decentralized mesh network for data transmission, including Bitcoin transactions, without internet connectivity.
Similar to Blockstream's satellites and Bitchat, Darkwire requires internet access for transaction verification and blockchain addition. The project is currently undergoing a major rewrite on GitHub.
In 2022, Kgothatso Ngako, a South African software developer, reportedly introduced Machankura, a tool enabling Bitcoin transactions and reception via mobile telecom networks without internet, as per a March 2023 Forbes report and the project's website.
These innovative solutions demonstrate the potential for cryptocurrency to persist even in the absence of internet connectivity, offering a glimmer of hope for Iranians during this challenging period.
