The Iranian government cut off the entire network due to economic protests, but approximately 70 million cryptocurrency users in the country can still continue to use Bitcoin through various “offline” solutions such as satellite networks, Bluetooth mesh networks, radio, and more, highlighting Bitcoin’s core value as an anti-censorship asset.
(Background: A brief history of mining in Iran: We sit in darkness just to keep Bitcoin miners running)
(Additional context: Cryptocurrency Popularization vs. Decentralization: An Unsolvable Paradox?)

Table of Contents

• Starlink Satellite Network: Bypassing Ground Blockades
• Blockstream Satellite Network: Designed Specifically for Bitcoin
• Bitchat: Jack Dorsey’s Bluetooth Mesh Network
• Emerging Technologies: Radio and Telecom Networks
• The Core Value of Anti-Censorship

On Thursday, January 9, the Iranian government completely shut down the internet amid large-scale protests against the worsening economy and the Iranian Rial hitting a record low against the US dollar. According to statistics, about 70 million cryptocurrency users in Iran account for nearly 8% of the country’s 92 million population. So, in the case of government internet shutdowns, can these users still access Bitcoin?

The answer is: Yes, and there are multiple solutions.

Starlink Satellite Network: Bypassing Ground Blockades

Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network is one of the most direct solutions. This service provides high-speed internet via low-earth orbit satellites, completely independent of ground infrastructure, thus capable of bypassing government internet censorship.

In fact, Musk deployed Starlink during Iran’s last internet shutdown in June 2025. Unconfirmed reports suggest he may have quietly authorized service provision to Iran during this recent shutdown.

Blockstream Satellite Network: Designed Specifically for Bitcoin

Developed by Bitcoin company Blockstream, this satellite network broadcasts Bitcoin data worldwide. Users do not need any ground infrastructure—just a satellite receiver to access Bitcoin blockchain data and verify transactions offline.

Bitchat: Jack Dorsey’s Bluetooth Mesh Network

Founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, Bitchat offers another innovative solution. The app uses Bluetooth technology to create a mesh network between phones, allowing users to transmit Bitcoin transaction data even without internet access.

Since its launch, Bitchat has accumulated over 1.4 million downloads, with about 460,000 new downloads just last week, indicating a rapidly growing global demand for “offline Bitcoin” solutions.

However, it should be noted that transactions initiated via Bitchat still require an internet connection to be confirmed on the blockchain.

Emerging Technologies: Radio and Telecom Networks

In addition to the above solutions, some emerging technologies are under development:

Darkwire: Released by anonymous developer Cyb3r17 in May 2025, it uses long-distance radio waves to establish a decentralized mesh network, enabling offline Bitcoin transactions. The project is currently undergoing major revisions on GitHub.

Machankura: Developed by South African developer Kgothatso Ngako in 2022, it enables Bitcoin transfers via mobile telecom networks (rather than internet), especially suitable for regions with underdeveloped network infrastructure.

The Core Value of Anti-Censorship

Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley has previously suggested that Bitcoin can serve as a store of wealth, and Iran’s case proves this point. According to TRM Labs data, from January to July 2025, the total cryptocurrency flow through Iran reached approximately $3.7 billion, demonstrating the significant scale of cryptocurrency use in the country.

Although all these solutions ultimately require some form of network connection to confirm transactions on the chain, they showcase Bitcoin’s resilience and anti-censorship features. In an era where authoritarian governments attempt to control people through internet shutdowns, these technologies offer a glimmer of hope for the oppressed.