January 9, 2026, 6:34 AM EST. Iranian authorities cut internet access as protests spread and the rial hits record lows. About seven million Iranians are crypto users, according to Statista, and TRM Labs tracked roughly $3.7 billion in crypto flows in 2025 up to July. Some observers, including Bitwise's Hunter Horsley, say Bitcoin could serve as a store of wealth amid turmoil. Without internet, crypto use is harder, but several technologies exist. Starlink satellite internet could restore access in affected areas, and Blockstream's satellite network can broadcast Bitcoin data without traditional connectivity. Jack Dorsey's Bitchat offers Bluetooth mesh messaging to relay transaction data, though on-chain verification still ultimately requires internet to confirm transactions. Other offline tools like Darkwire (long-range radio mesh) and Machankura use mobile phones to send Bitcoin without internet, though they face similar limitations.
