Iran government reportedly bans local blockchain association
A crypto warning list is the main cause of the ban, according to the head of the Iran Blockchain Community.
The Interior Ministry of the Islamic Republic of Iran has blocked the activities of the Iran Blockchain Community (IBC), but the association said that the notice was not delivered to the board members. The notice the association has been told to submit detailed reports about its financial performance and activities especially those related to cryptocurrency exchanges to the Social Affairs Organization.
The Social Affairs Organization of the Ministry required reports on IBC’s financial performance and dealings with cryptocurrency exchanges via a notice posted in local newspaper Hamshahri Online last week, according to local sources.
Over the weekend, the ministry blocked the association’s activities, but IBC spokesperson Sepehr Mohammadi, who is also the CEO of one of two crypto exchanges listed as sponsors of the association’s website, said no verbal or written warning was given to the board members.
According to the local media, a member of the parliament accused crypto-related domestic nongovernmental organizations of transferring foreign currency overseas. As one of the NGOs in the crypto and blockchain space, IBC denied the claim and said the association is focused on promoting blockchain technology in the country.
Following a “summer ban” for crypto mining, Iran is seeking healthy regulation for cryptocurrencies. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the country needs to legalize cryptocurrency activities to preserve and protect national interests. He called for a joint study between different parties to establish a legal framework for cryptocurrencies.
