Iran's Cryptocurrency Toll System at Strait of Hormuz Reshapes Global Maritime Economics. Iran has implemented mandatory cryptocurrency payments for commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first known instance of a nation-state levying transit fees in digital assets at a critical global chokepoint. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps administers the system, which took effect in March 2026. Approved vessels pay tolls ranging from fifty cents to one dollar per barrel of crude oil, potentially generating six hundred to eight hundred million dollars monthly when including LNG carriers. Analysts estimate annual collections could reach one hundred twenty billion dollars at full capacity.
