A Decade in Review: Iran’s Digital Economy at FINAP 2025

The 22nd Finap 2025 technology event gathered top experts to discuss the evolving landscape of Iran’s digital economy. Reza Bagheri-Asl, Secretary of the Special Digital Economy Task Force, highlighted the dramatic changes over the past decade. He traced the development from 3G and 4G mobile networks in 2015, which expanded internet access, through the pandemic-driven surge in online services, virtual schools, and telemedicine, to the recent regulatory shifts under the new government in 2021.

Bagheri-Asl warned that government interventions and market uncertainties have historically caused significant losses to citizens, citing financial sector damages exceeding 36 trillion tomans. He stressed the need for structured regulatory reforms, better risk management for platforms, cryptocurrencies, and digital businesses, and transparent frameworks aligned with global standards.

A key focus was the Seventh Development Plan, which for the first time formally recognizes digital assets within Iran’s economic framework, highlighting Articles 65, 66, 67, and 107. Bagheri-Asl emphasized that public trust and transparency, especially in gold trading, remain critical to reducing systemic risks.

Parisa Hosseinzadeh, a gold trading expert from the online platform Talasii, shared insights into Iran’s gold market. She noted that Iran is traditionally among the top 10 global gold consumers, with transactions involving jewelry, coins, and bullion reaching 8.4 billion USD annually, considering both formal and informal trade. Household gold holdings are estimated at 200 tons, with domestic production from mines like Zarshuran and Mouteh adding 8–10 tons per year, though national demand exceeds domestic output.

Hosseinzadeh also highlighted the market’s key actors: regulators, major producers, distribution networks, demand sectors, and informal participants, underscoring the importance of oversight and structured governance to ensure stability and growth.

Overall, Finap 2025 showcased Iran’s evolving digital economy, the growing significance of digital assets, and the need for risk management and regulatory reforms, positioning the country to better integrate technology with economic development while safeguarding citizens and investors.