---
title: "Iran Says You Can Mine — but Not Spend — Crypto"
description: "The Iranian government just gave its approval to crypto mining, but only if people get the right clearance and stay on top of their taxes."
date: "2019-07-29"
modified: "2019-07-29"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/iran-mine-spend-crypto"
categories:
  - "Bitcoin"
  - "Blockchain"
  - "Cryptocurrency"
  - "Future Society"
tags:
  - "bitcoin"
  - "cryptocurrency"
  - "iran"
  - "the digest"
---

# Iran Says You Can Mine — but Not Spend — Crypto

![The Iranian government just gave its approval to crypto mining, but only if people get the right clearance and stay on top of their taxes.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/iran-mine-spend-crypto.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Tag Hartman-Simkins\</em\>*

## Digging In

The Iranian government just endorsed crypto mining as an officially-sanctioned industry.

Low-cost utilities in the country have made [cryptocurrency mining](<https://futurism.com/bitcoin-electricity-austria>) seem like an easy way to generate cash, [according to the *Mehr News Agency*](<https://en.mehrnews.com/news/148195/Iranian-govt-authorizes-crypto-mining>), so the government is working to get on board — but imposing a number of caveats to keep the crypto industry under control.

The crypto, which can't be used in any domestic transactions, are set to serve as a new [source of tax revenue](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/irs-secret-crypto-stash>) for the government. That is, unless people are exporting the coins and bringing the money back to Iran — a move *Mehr* reports could help the country's economy make up for losses caused by U.S.-imposed sanctions.

## Terms And Conditions

First off, neither the Iranian government nor the country's banks will take on any of the risks inherent to cryptocurrency mining, according to *Mehr*. Anyone who mines a bunch of Bitcoin just to see the price collapse, [as it tends to do](<https://futurism.com/bitfinex-tether-bitcoin-manipulation>), will be out of luck.

Crypto mining was already given the green light by Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture, [according to *CoinDesk*](<https://www.coindesk.com/irans-government-gives-the-official-nod-to-crypto-mining>). But the new announcement requires miners get approval from the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade as well.

**READ MORE:** [Iran’s Government Gives the Official Nod to Crypto Mining](<https://www.coindesk.com/irans-government-gives-the-official-nod-to-crypto-mining>) \[*CoinDesk*\]

**More on crypto regulation:** *[The IRS Is Sending Warning Letters Over Cryptocurrency Back Taxes](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/irs-warning-letters-cryptocurrency-taxes>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)