In Iran, the Rial has fallen 90% since 2018, with inflation around 50%. For the country’s 15 million cryptocurrency users, Bitcoin has become more than an investment; it serves as a savings account that cannot be devalued by government policies. Outflows to self-custody wallets have surged by 700%, reflecting the population’s need to protect their assets even if traditional banking systems fail.
Four years into ongoing conflict, approximately 16% of the population now owns cryptocurrency. The Ukrainian government itself holds an estimated $56 billion in Bitcoin, which has been used for military and humanitarian purposes, including processing over $100 million in crypto-based charity in 2026 alone. Bitcoin offers a secure, borderless asset that remains accessible even when conventional banks are compromised by war.
In Russia, citizens are using cryptocurrency to bypass restrictions imposed by a struggling ruble and a closed financial system. The state has promoted the A7A5 stable coin for sanctioned oil transactions, but ordinary Russians are turning to other digital currencies to safeguard savings. The Russian Central Bank has proposed allowing licensed crypto services for banks, reflecting a growing institutional acknowledgment of crypto as a neutral asset. Whether in Tehran, Kiev, or Moscow, cryptocurrency is proving to be a resilient alternative to traditional money, offering individuals the ability to preserve wealth and conduct transactions without reliance on government-controlled systems.
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