Iran now allows foreign buyers to pay for their advanced weapons using cryptocurrency, as well as barter and local currency. Officials at the Defense Department’s Export Center, known as Midex, have confirmed that digital assets are accepted as payment for overseas arms sales. Years of sanctions and isolation from global banking systems appear to have pushed Iran toward these alternatives to maintain its military exports.
Crypto added to payment options for foreign arms buyers
Mindex has updated its terms to officially include digital currency as a settlement option. The listing also allows barter agreements and payments in Iranian rials, giving buyers more flexibility in their payment method. The changes aim to counter the impact of international banking restrictions, which have made it more difficult for Iran to move money through conventional channels.
NEED A MISSILE? IRAN WILL SELL YOU ONE FOR BITCOIN
Iran just opened its weapons store to anyone with enough digital cash, offering everything from killer drones to warships.
No banks, no questions, just a crypto or trade deal.
There is even a chatbot to help you choose the… pic.twitter.com/sL3IAp4NNl
– Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 1, 2026
NEED A MISSILE? IRAN WILL SELL YOU ONE FOR BITCOINThe Mindex website features a comprehensive catalog of military deals. These include Emad ballistic missiles, Shahed drones, Shahid Soleimani class warships, air defense systems, cruise missiles, rockets, And small arms. The agency has made it clear that any of these can be paid for using crypto, barter, Or the national currency.
Sanctions have made crypto more attractive
For years, Iran has been subject to heavy sanctions from the United States, the European Union, And others on its nuclear program and its regional activities. These measures blocked access to international banking services, forcing Iran to find new ways to conduct transactions. Digital currencies, with their peer-to-peer structure and resistance to traditional financial controls, are now part of this strategy.
According to Mindex, the sanctions will not interfere with arms deliveries. The agency says its general policy is to bypass restrictions completely, providing assurance that buyers will receive their purchases without delay. The website also includes multilingual support and a chatbot to guide buyers through the process.
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Who could buy
Midex claims to have relationships with 35 countries, but does not reveal who they are. Analysts say this is part of a broader trend where countries under sanctions are finding new ways to maintain trade. Governments working with Iran, using the standards financial risk being cut off from the United States, the EU, Or British Systems. This threat has led some to explore crypto and bartering as safer routes.
Security analysts also note how rare it is for a country to openly announce crypto payments for strategic military equipment. Rather than hiding it, Iran lists crypto payments on an official government website with clear terms, prices and rates. And delivery information.
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Implications for global arms sales
The decision to accept crypto in official arms exports reveals a shift that could impact how arms transactions are structured and tracked. Embargoes and financial restrictions have long shaped Iran’s economy. Using digital currency is one way around this problem and could encourage other countries in a similar situation to explore the same path.
Iran is already among the top 20 arms exporters in the world. Adding cryptocurrencies to its accepted payment methods could make this activity even more difficult to regulate. It also raises concerns among international watchdogs about how digital currency could be used in the global arms trade.
The move will likely draw attention from regulators and governments. With crypto now part of Iran’s defense export strategy, the overlap between digital finance and global security has reached a new level.
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Key takeaways
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Iran has confirmed that it now accepts cryptocurrencies as payment for foreign arms sales, alongside barter and local currency.
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This policy was announced by Mindex, the export center of the Iranian Defense Ministry, and is openly listed on its official website.
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Weapons available for crypto payment include missiles, drones, warships, air defense systems, And small arms
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Sanctions and limited access to global banking systems have pushed Iran to rely on crypto and non-traditional payment methods.
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Security analysts warn the move could make the global arms trade harder to monitor and regulate.
The article Iran now accepts crypto payments for arms exports appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
