Iran is considering a policy that would require certain vessels to pay transit tolls in Bitcoin when passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Financial Times report. 

The proposal would link the digital asset to a major global energy shipping route.

The plan would apply during a temporary two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States, announced after a shift in posture from Donald Trump.

The measure aims to reopen a key oil shipping route while maintaining control over access.

According to officials, shipping companies would receive payment instructions before transit and be given a short window to pay in Bitcoin. The system is intended to bypass traditional financial channels affected by sanctions.

If implemented, the policy would introduce Bitcoin into a geopolitically sensitive area. Iran has faced limits on dollar-based systems, and this approach would offer an alternative payment method outside traditional banking.

For shipping companies, compliance may allow passage through the route but introduces friction such as price volatility, operational challenges, and potential sanctions exposure.

The proposal highlights how digital assets could be used in state-level payment systems and control access to critical infrastructure.

The ceasefire is limited in duration and scope. Changes in negotiations could affect transit conditions or the reported payment framework, creating uncertainty for companies operating in the region.

Share this article
The link has been copied!