Iranian crypto outflows spike 700% after US-Israeli airstrikes

CoinTelegraph

by Brayden Lindrea

March 3, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The US and Israel’s airstrikes on Tehran triggered a dramatic surge in cryptocurrency outflows from Iran. Within minutes of the attack, withdrawals from Nobitex, Iran’s top crypto exchange, jumped by over 700%, reaching $500,000 and peaking at nearly $3 million in a single hour. Elliptic’s analysis revealed that these funds were largely transferred to foreign exchanges, suggesting a potential capital flight as investors sought safer havens amid heightened regional instability. The spike occurred despite a widespread internet outage in Iran, which initially slowed further outflows. This disruption underscored the vulnerability of cryptocurrency networks in conflict zones and highlighted the challenges of tracking cross-border crypto movements during crises. The data from Elliptic traced these transactions to major international exchanges, indicating that Iranians may be using cryptocurrencies as a means to move their assets out of the country. For crypto investors, this event underscores the role of digital currencies as tools for rapid capital movement during times of uncertainty. It also raises questions about the broader implications of geopolitical tensions on global financial systems and the potential for加密货币在危机时期的使用。

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Originally published on CoinTelegraph on 3/3/2026