Bitcoin and the Impact of Cryptocurrency

On April 12, 2026, Trump threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, and—together with Iran’s “charging system” that was legalized in March 2026—this brought a crucial turning point for cryptocurrencies. Iran charges about $1 per barrel of oil, with the maximum reaching ( million USD, for supertankers $2 , plus ) fees for tanker transit, and it accepts payments in Bitcoin, USDT, RMB, or CIPS. This is the most vivid and direct example of national-level sanctions evasion and de-dollarization.

What is the crypto charging system?

Friendly countries (, especially China ), can get convenient passage, while other countries need to go through security screening + encrypted payments. Once payment is confirmed, the Revolutionary Guard issues a code and provides robotic escort. Iran has already earned hundreds of millions of dollars from Bitcoin mining; now it is redirecting this income to energy trade. According to Chainalysis and TRM Labs, this is becoming the “new standard” for sanctions-resistant trade on a billions-of-dollars scale.

Direct impacts of cryptocurrencies
- Potential daily crypto payments of $20 million USD are boosting liquidity for BTC and USDT.

- Stablecoins ( USDT ) are even more favored because they transfer quickly and are harder to track.

- Iran has become the first country to officially accept BTC and stablecoins in energy trade. This sets a paradigm for countries like Russia and Venezuela, and it reinforces the “oil-cryptocurrency” axis.

Specific impacts on Bitcoin
In the short term, geopolitical tensions and the surge in oil prices ( $100-116 range ) are pushing BTC under safe-haven sentiment pressure. However, in the long term, BTC’s “censorship-resistant” features stand out more. Iran’s BTC payments provide support for the de-dollarization narrative. Ray Dalio’s assertion comes into play here: if the U.S. cannot impose a blockade, dollar hegemony will be challenged, and demand for BTC will rise accordingly.

Risks and opportunities
- Volatility: As the first batch of Chinese oil tankers completes transit, sudden BTC volatility is expected.

- Regulatory pressure: The U.S. may consider crypto payments as violations of sanctions.

- Opportunity: Cryptocurrencies are becoming an alternative financial infrastructure for the Global South countries and BRICS.

Although Trump’s moves are intended to undermine China’s independent pipeline routes, Iran’s crypto toll stations produce the opposite effect: turning cryptocurrencies into strategic tools for countries. This means there are both short-term risks and long-term legitimacy to be gained, and it will drive growth in BTC demand. The first batch of tanker transits will decide everything.

Gate Square readers should closely follow the new role of cryptocurrencies in this geopolitical chess game. The situation is changing by the second.
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