Energy Subsidies Iran: How Crypto Fits Into a Sanctioned Economy

When you think of energy subsidies Iran, government programs that keep electricity prices artificially low for citizens and industries. Also known as state-backed power pricing, these subsidies are meant to protect households—but they’ve unintentionally fueled one of the world’s most active crypto mining scenes. With electricity costing less than a penny per kilowatt-hour in some regions, Iran became a magnet for Bitcoin miners looking for cheap power. This isn’t just about mining—it’s about survival. When international sanctions cut off access to global banking, Iranians turned to crypto not as a gamble, but as a lifeline.

That’s where blockchain sanctions, the use of decentralized networks to circumvent financial restrictions imposed by foreign governments. Also known as decentralized finance under pressure, it’s become a quiet revolution in Iran. People use Bitcoin and stablecoins to send money abroad, buy medicine, pay for education, and even get paid for freelance work. The government doesn’t always approve—but it can’t stop it. Crypto isn’t just tolerated; it’s embedded in daily life. And behind every transaction, there’s often a cheap, subsidized power bill keeping the servers running.

It’s not just Iran. Countries like Venezuela and Cuba have done similar things—using crypto to get around broken systems. But Iran’s scale is unique. Its energy subsidies are among the largest in the world, and its crypto adoption is among the highest. The result? A strange mix: state-controlled power, decentralized money, and a population that learned to hack the system without hacking a single computer.

What you’ll find in the posts below aren’t just stories about coins or exchanges. They’re real-world case studies of how people adapt when the rules don’t work. From no-KYC exchanges that survive under radar, to stablecoins used to buy groceries, to miners running rigs on subsidized grids—you’ll see how crypto isn’t just a financial tool. It’s a workaround. A rebellion. A way to keep going when everything else has failed.