FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Iran's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Nobitex, has become an important conduit for connecting the country's economy to global markets, enabling the movement of funds beyond the restrictions of international sanctions, according to a Reuters investigation by Gavin Finch, Allison Martell, Denise Ajiri, James Pearson and Elizabeth Howcroft.
The platform was founded in 2018 by two brothers who use the surname Aghamir, but who, according to documents reviewed by Reuters, are part of the Kharrazi family, one of the most influential dynasties in Iran's political and religious system. The family has close ties to the country's supreme leadership and has held key roles in diplomacy, politics and religious institutions.
Since its inception, Nobitex has grown rapidly and today claims around 11 million users, more than 10% of Iran's population. The platform has become an important tool for Iranian citizens, who face isolation from the international financial system, currency depreciation, and high inflation.
According to the investigation, Nobitex processed transactions worth tens to hundreds of millions of dollars linked to sanctioned entities, including the Central Bank of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Analysis by blockchain firms and interviews with financial investigators show that the platform serves as a central node in a parallel financial system that allows funds to be transferred outside the oversight of Western sanctions.
A separate analysis showed that hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrencies were channeled through Nobitex, including funds linked to sanctioned state institutions. However, the exact size of these transactions remains unclear, with estimates varying significantly among analytical firms.
Nobitex has denied any direct ties to the Iranian government and has stated that it is a private and independent business. The company emphasizes that any illegal activity may have occurred without its knowledge and represents only a small portion of the total transaction volume.
"The main concern is that the platform is widely used by ordinary citizens, which makes it difficult to separate civilian and state-related activity," said Nick Smart of Crystal Intelligence, a firm that analyzes cryptocurrency flows.
The investigation also sheds light on the company's internal structure and the origins of its founders. According to Reuters, the Kharrazi brothers have used alternative surnames and have not made their family ties public, even within the company. This has raised questions about the reasons for concealing their identities and the possible impact of their connections on the development of the business.
Nobitex has managed to remain operational even during periods of internet outages and internal crises in Iran. During the recent conflict, the platform continued to process transactions, recording over $100 million in activity, despite severe infrastructure constraints.
Experts say the use of cryptocurrencies is becoming increasingly important for countries under sanctions, creating new challenges for the international financial system. At the same time, US officials have warned that digital assets are increasingly being used to bypass controls and move funds on a global scale.
Lini një Përgjigje