Iran’s rial hit a record low against the US dollar, sparking protests on the streets across the capital and other major cities.

This economic crisis has revived the debate over Bitcoin’s potential as a safe haven. Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley suggested that the largest cryptocurrency could serve as a form of protection against financial turmoil.

Protests Erupt Across Iran as Rial Crash Sparks Unrest

According to the Financial Times, the currency has lost over 40% of its value since Iran’s conflict with Israel in June 2025. Notably, the rial’s drop from 32,000 per dollar in 2015 to over 1.4 million represents a nearly 44-fold depreciation in ten years. This swift decline has intensified Iran’s economic crisis.

“The official rate in the early 1980s was 70 per dollar,” Alex Gladstein stated.

Inflation reached 42.2% in December, marking an increase from the same period last year and rising 1.8% compared with November. This has put Iranian families under severe strain. Food prices surged 72% in December 2025 compared to one year prior, while medical goods rose 50%.

Shops in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar shut in protest, and demonstrations spread to Isfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad. The Associated Press reported these were the largest street protests since 2022.

The crisis is accelerated by falling oil revenue due to US sanctions, deep-seated issues in the banking sector, political chaos, and structural corruption. Amid this, the Central Bank Governor, Mohammad Reza Farzin, has resigned.

Government efforts, such as food vouchers and subsidies, have aimed to ease public frustration. Yet, they offer limited relief amid persistent inflation.

Meanwhile, traditional safe havens like gold have soared. Gold coins, a classic store of wealth in Iran, reached 1.7 billion rials each on December 28, more than double their value in June.

Bitcoin’s Role as a Store of Value

While gold has long been established as a traditional safe-haven asset, many are also pointing to Bitcoin as a potential alternative. Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley echoed this view in a recent post.

“Economic mismanagement – The story of the past, present, and future. Bitcoin is a new way for the people to protect themselves,” Horsley stated.

The concept of Bitcoin as a hedge is being increasingly applied across multiple economies. In the US, rising inflation and recession fears have led many investors to position Bitcoin as a tool to protect purchasing power. Previously, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink also advocated for Bitcoin.

“If you’re frightened of the debasement of your currency, or… of the economic or political stability of your country, you can have an internationally based instrument called Bitcoin that will overcome those local fears,” Fink said.

Worldwide data support the increased use of cryptocurrency to fight inflation. According to a September 2025 MEXC report, 46% of crypto users cited digital assets as a means to hedge against inflation.

Argentina offers a clear example of this trend in practice. As the peso collapsed and inflation accelerated, Argentines increasingly turned to Bitcoin and stablecoins to preserve their value.

While the collapse of Iran’s rial has reignited the narrative of Bitcoin as a hedge against currency debasement, the reality is more nuanced. Bitcoin’s fixed supply and independence from domestic monetary policy make it an appealing alternative in environments marked by chronic inflation, capital controls, and political instability.

In such contexts, it increasingly serves as a tool for preserving value when confidence in national currencies erodes. However, it is equally important to acknowledge that Bitcoin remains quite volatile. Furthermore, government bans and restrictions can also hinder access and usability.

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