Iran loses internet access: Here’s how cryptocurrency might continue to function.

Internet Shutdown in Iran Raises Questions for Cryptocurrency Users

The Iranian government shut down internet access on Thursday amid widespread protests, leading to concerns about how citizens can use cryptocurrencies during this time.

Estimates from Statista suggest that approximately 7 million people, out of a population of 92 million, engage with cryptocurrencies. Between January and July 2025, TRM Labs recorded around $3.7 billion in total cryptocurrency activity within Iran.

This internet disruption followed protests that erupted due to a worsening economic situation and the Iranian rial hitting an all-time low against the US dollar.

Some experts, including Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley, have proposed that acquiring Bitcoin (BTC) could serve as a viable option for wealth preservation.

Options for Cryptocurrency Transactions Without Internet

Lack of internet access complicates cryptocurrency transactions for Iranians. Still, some existing technologies could potentially help.

For instance, Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system could deliver high-speed internet to areas that are currently unserviced. There have been suggestions for Musk to activate Starlink to help restore internet access in Iran, reminiscent of his actions during a power outage in June 2025. While some unconfirmed reports indicate that Musk might be open to this, nothing is set in stone.

Another possibility comes from Bitcoin infrastructure firm Blockstream, which operates a satellite network capable of transmitting Bitcoin data globally without relying on the internet.

Starlink connects a receiving device to satellites that relay information worldwide via lasers and ground stations, offering two-way high-speed internet.

Additionally, some resourceful users have pointed out that Bitchat, a decentralized messaging service created by Jack Dorsey, lets users communicate and even share Bitcoin transaction data between mobile devices through a Bluetooth mesh network.

However, it’s important to note that you’ll still need an internet-enabled device to check on-chain transactions.

Interestingly, data reveals that Bitchat has seen over 1.4 million downloads since its launch, with more than 19,800 downloads just yesterday and about 460,724 over the past week.

Developing Tools for Offline Cryptocurrency Usage

Conversely, there are new tools being developed which aim to facilitate cryptocurrency transactions without internet connectivity.

For example, Darkwire, introduced in May 2025 by the pseudonymous creator Cyb3r17, leverages long-range radio technology to form decentralized mesh networks for transmitting data like Bitcoin transactions, circumventing the internet entirely.

Like Blockstream’s satellites and Bitchat, these devices ultimately require internet access to validate transactions and integrate them into the blockchain. Darkwire is currently undergoing significant updates as per its GitHub listing.

In 2022, another solution called Machankula was reportedly created by South African developer Kgotason Ngako. As per a March 2023 Forbes article and the project’s website, this tool aims to enable users to send and receive Bitcoin using mobile communication networks without needing an internet connection.