đĄď¸ 1. Massive cyberâheist on Iranâs Nobitex exchange
Between JuneâŻ17â18, hacker group âPredatory Sparrowâ (likely aligned with Israel) breached Nobitex, siphoning off and burning ~$90M in cryptoâincluding $BTC , $ETH , $DOGE âby sending them to unspendable âburnerâ addresses .
In response, Iran imposed a 10âŻAMâ8âŻPM trading curfew on domestic crypto exchanges to curb capital flight and increase oversight .
This marks a significant escalation in cyberâeconomic warfare, where the goal was political damageânot profit .
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đ 2. Broader geopolitical impact on markets
The Nobitex hack rattled confidence globally, adding to recent market volatility .
Simultaneously, a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel (announced JuneâŻ23) briefly boosted global risk appetite and marketsâincluding crypto. Bitcoin rebounded to $105â106K, while altcoins like XRP and SOL rallied 5â10% . Yet as mistrust persists, gains remain cautious .
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âď¸ 3. Ongoing cyberâwarfare & regulatory shifts
Iran has enacted nationwide internet blackouts to curb possible Israeli cyber incursions while investigating the Nobitex breach .
The Central Bank of Iran continues to intensify restrictions on crypto advertising, trading, and miningâbalancing fintech innovation against sanctions evasion, energy strain, and financial stability .
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đŽ Looking ahead:
Expect continued volatility in Iranian crypto markets due to tighter regulation, hacking risks, and the uncertain geopolitical environment. International investors should monitor IranâIsrael relationsâand Iranâs domestic crypto strategyâclosely, since each flashpoint can quickly reshape sentiment and policies.