Novitex, Iran’s main Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrency exchange, is under the control of brothers Ali and Mohammad Karaj, a powerful family with ties to the Ayatollah’s regime, according to an investigation published by Reuters.
According to the report, the founders of Nobitex They are one of the most influential dynasties in the country of Persia.maintains direct marital and political ties with current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
According to the investigation, the platform functions as a key component of a parallel Iranian financial system designed to process funds from sanctioned state institutions and circumvent international economic restrictions.
Analysis of corporate records and data from digital asset intelligence companies such as Crystal Intelligence and Elliptic has made it possible to trace capital flows related to the Central Bank of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The Central Bank of Iran, an organization under US sanctions, Approximately $347 million transferred to Nobitex Only in the first half of 2025.
Reuters claims that the Karaj brothers founded the company using the alias Agamir to publicly distance themselves from their political lineage. Nevertheless, The family held important diplomatic and religious positions; He has advised three supreme leaders since the 1979 revolution.
Despite existing as start Nobitex currently independently processes 70% of digital asset transactions in Iran and has 11 million users. Equivalent to 10% of the national populationaccording to the platform’s own data.
The exchange uses advanced technology that makes tracking funds difficult, including constantly changing wallet addresses and transaction hiding tools. These practices are intended to protect the movement of capital from researcher surveillance and maximum economic pressure policies exerted by the U.S. government.
Novitex’s operations during the 2026 War have raised further questions. The exchange remained open while the Iranian government imposed a general internet shutdown to curb civil unrest.
Data from an analytics firm cited by Reuters suggests that: The platform operates through a national access “whitelist”even allowing capital to flow into global markets by local elites.
Novitex poses a dilemma for international regulators. Because the system is heavily used by the general public to protect their savings from inflation and devaluation of the rial, it is difficult to impose sanctions directly without affecting civilians.
However, with revelations of its ties to political power, the digital currency platform Critical infrastructure for the economic survival of the regime In the face of global financial isolation.
(Tag translation) Bitcoin (BTC)
