Iran has banned the country’s banks from dealing in cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, over money-laundering concerns, Iran's central bank said.
"Banks and credit institutions and currency exchanges should avoid any sale or purchase of these currencies or taking any action to promote them," IRNA reported, citing a central bank circular based on a ban on cryptocurrencies passed by Iran’s anti-money laundering body in December.
Iran moved this month to formally unify its official and open market exchange rates and banned money changing outside of banks, after its currency, the rial, plunged to an all-time low on concerns about a possible return of crippling sanctions.
