The Iranian foreign exchange market closed the evening session with the US dollar selling at 175,300 Toman and buying at 174,263 Toman, a modest uptick from the previous session. The euro remained steady at 202,000 Toman, while the British pound and the United Arab Emirates dirham were quoted at 233,900 Toman and 47,600 Toman respectively. The Turkish lira, a regional benchmark, traded at 3,805 Toman. These figures suggest a continued pressure on the rial, driven by both domestic liquidity needs and external geopolitical factors.
Gold and Coin PricesGold retained its safe‑haven appeal, with the 18‑karat (18k) gold price climbing to 18,370,885 Toman per gram. The iconic Emami gold coin, a favorite among Iranian investors, surged to 181,000,000 Toman, while the Azadi coin lagged slightly at 176,000,000 Toman. The Nim Seke, a lower‑purity option, was priced at 92,500,000 Toman. The upward movement reflects heightened demand for tangible assets amid currency volatility and inflation expectations.
Cryptocurrency SnapshotOn the crypto front, Bitcoin (BTC) hovered near $60,940, showing resilience despite global market corrections. Ethereum (ETH) traded at $1,562.89, and the stablecoin USDT was priced locally at 174,733 Toman, closely mirroring the official dollar rate. Iranian traders continue to use USDT as a bridge between the crypto world and the domestic fiat market, leveraging its price stability to hedge against rial depreciation.
Outlook and Investor SentimentAnalysts warn that the rial could face further depreciation if inflationary pressures persist and sanctions remain unchanged. Gold and gold‑coins are likely to stay in favor as a store of value, while crypto assets may see increased inflows from younger investors seeking diversification. Monitoring the central bank’s policy moves and any shifts in oil revenues will be crucial for anticipating the next swing in exchange rates.