Iran to Sell War Ammunition for Cryptocurrency

Iran has publicly proposed selling advanced military hardware, including ballistic missiles, drones, and warships, to foreign buyers in exchange for cryptocurrency. This policy, promoted by the state-run Ministry of Defence Export Center known as Mindex, allows payments in digital currencies, barter deals, or Iranian rials.

Mindex claims ties to 35 countries and aims to bypass strict Western sanctions amid rising geopolitical tensions. The move represents one of the first public instances of a nation-state accepting crypto for the sale of strategic weapons. As Iran expands its role in arms exports amid global shifts, the inclusion of cryptocurrency underscores the challenges of enforcement.

Cryptocurrencies Introduced for Payment

Mindex operates a multilingual website that showcases various types of weapons available for international sale. The catalog includes Emad ballistic missiles, which use liquid fuel and have a long range. The offerings also include anti-ship cruise missiles, short-range systems such as the Majid air defense system, and small arms and rockets.

The website suggests that goods inspections in Iran can proceed with the necessary security approval, and payments can be processed in the buyer’s country, with the new option to pay in cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, the crypto adoption wave in financial settlement continues to gain momentum.

For example, Grab, the most extensive ride-hailing application in Asia, began accepting crypto payments in the Philippines in late July 2025. The company partnered with payments provider Triple-A and the local cryptocurrency exchange PDAX to allow users to make payments using cryptocurrency.

Broader Context of Sanctions Evasion

The recent development reflects the increasing use of cryptocurrency by sanctioned nations to facilitate trade in restricted goods. Russia has faced similar actions from the US for using digital assets to avoid sanctions. Buyers who rely on traditional finance risk being excluded from Western banking systems due to ongoing penalties.

Iran has previously been accused of using cryptocurrency for oil sales and shadow banking operations. Recent US Treasury sanctions targeted networks connected to the Revolutionary Guards for processing millions of dollars in digital payments. The move shows how countries facing sanctions are increasingly finding other ways to conduct sensitive trade.

Meanwhile, observers have noted that this could lead to more weapons being spread around and give cryptocurrency a larger role in illegal economies. The policy illustrates Tehran’s adaptation to prolonged economic isolation while seeking new sources of revenue.