Iran's government shut down the internet on Thursday (Jan 9) following massive economic protests as the rial hit an all-time low against the U.S. dollar. The country has an estimated 7 million cryptocurrency users — nearly 8% of its 92 million population. Could they still use Bitcoin after the blackout? Yes, and through multiple workarounds.
Starlink Satellite: Aerial Bypass
Elon Musk's Starlink provides high-speed satellite internet independent of ground infrastructure, easily evading government blocks. Reports indicate Musk deployed Starlink during Iran's June 2025 blackout; unconfirmed sources suggest he may have quietly approved service for this latest crisis.
Blockstream Satellite: Bitcoin-Dedicated Broadcast
Built by Bitcoin development firm Blockstream, this satellite network broadcasts Bitcoin blockchain data globally. Users need only a satellite receiver to grab block data and validate transactions offline — no internet required.
Bitchat: Jack Dorsey's Bluetooth Mesh
Twitter founder Jack Dorsey-invested Bitchat uses Bluetooth to create phone-to-phone mesh networks, enabling Bitcoin transaction data transfer without internet. The app has surpassed 1.4 million downloads, adding roughly 460,000 last week alone, reflecting surging demand for offline Bitcoin solutions. However, transactions initiated via Bitchat still need an internet connection for on-chain confirmation.
Emerging Tech: Radio & Telecom Networks
More novel approaches are gaining traction: Darkwire, released by anonymous developer Cyb3r17 in May 2025, uses long-range radio waves to form a decentralized mesh network for offline Bitcoin transactions and is currently undergoing a major revision on GitHub. Machankura, developed by South African Kgothatso Ngako in 2022, transfers Bitcoin over mobile telecom networks instead of the internet, ideal for regions with poor connectivity.
Censorship Resistance in Practice
Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley has recommended Bitcoin as a store of value — Iran's situation bears that out. According to TRM Labs, from January to July 2025, roughly $3.7 billion worth of cryptocurrency flowed through Iran, underscoring the real-world scale of crypto adoption. While all offline workarounds ultimately require some form of network access for final confirmation, they collectively highlight Bitcoin's resilience and its censorship-resistant nature — offering the oppressed an alternative financial channel when governments cut the cord.