Key Insights:
- Iran’s crypto ecosystem reached $7.78B, with IRGC handling over half of inflows in 2025.
- Russia’s new law allows courts to seize cryptocurrencies in criminal cases under judicial oversight.
- Bank of Korea urges commercial banks to lead KRW stablecoin issuance amid regulatory delays.
Iran’s cryptocurrency sector grew to $7.78 billion in 2025, according to blockchain data firm Chainalysis. Addresses linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly handled over half of all crypto inflows, receiving more than $3 billion. Elliptic said the central bank of Iran acquired at least $507 million in USDT to support trade settlements and stabilize the rial.
The government also operates large-scale Bitcoin mining. Officials reportedly mine Bitcoin at around $1,300 per coin and sell it at market value. Observers noted that recent U.S. and Israeli strikes could disrupt electricity supply, which may affect mining operations.
Russia Approves Crypto Confiscation by Court Order
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law allowing authorities to seize cryptocurrencies during criminal investigations, based on court rulings. The law classifies digital currencies as “intangible assets” and allows law enforcement to transfer coins from wallets to secure addresses.
This establishes a formal legal process for handling digital assets in criminal cases. Agencies now have clear procedures for securing and managing seized cryptocurrencies under judicial supervision.
South Korea Urges Banks to Lead KRW Stablecoins
The Bank of Korea called on commercial banks to oversee the issuance of Korean won-pegged stablecoins. In a report to the National Assembly, the bank described these tokens as “currency-like substitutes” and warned that private issuance could affect monetary policy and financial stability.
The report recommends banks with proper capital and compliance oversight lead issuance, while non-bank entities should expand only after risk reviews. Meanwhile, global stablecoin issuers Tether and Circle are expanding operations in South Korea amid regulatory delays.
Japan and China Advance Crypto Oversight
Japan’s Financial Services Agency will support private trials on anti-money laundering for crypto assets from March to May 2026. The project will involve exchanges and analytics firms to test sharing of wallet addresses linked to suspicious activity.
In China, the Supreme People’s Court plans research on judicial handling of new financial cases, including digital assets. A report by Artemis and Stablecon showed China was second globally in stablecoin inflows, averaging $71 billion per month in 2025. Japan’s Progmat plans to migrate over $2 billion in tokenized securities to Avalanche, and listed firm Daido Tokushu Metal approved up to 1 billion yen in Bitcoin purchases for asset management purposes.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.
Source: https://coincu.com/news/asia-crypto-news-iran-7-78b-russia/
