Coinspeaker
Apr 2, 2026 upd. 9 Jun

Iran accepts stablecoins and yuan for Strait of Hormuz tolls

2 min

Iran starts charging Hormuz tolls in yuan and stablecoins — Bloomberg

Iran has set up a formal toll-and-escort system in the Strait of Hormuz. Payments are accepted in Chinese yuan and fiat‑pegged stablecoins, Bloomberg reported on April 1. Bloomberg report

Transit is run via an IRGC-linked intermediary. Each country gets a 1–5 “friendliness” score. Operators submit ownership, flag, cargo, crew, and AIS data for vetting.

Clearance arrives as a VHF passcode. The IRGC Navy then escorts the vessel, per Bloomberg. Bloomberg report

At least two ships have already paid in yuan. Oil tankers are prioritized. Opening fees reportedly start at $1 per barrel, Bloomberg said. Bloomberg report

The currency setup aims to bypass dollar rails. Yuan settles outside SWIFT. Stablecoins such as USDT or USDC move on blockchains rather than correspondent banks, the report noted. Bloomberg report

A lawmaker said a draft to authorize transit fees will be sent to parliament’s research center for review next week. “We provide its security, and it is natural that ships and oil tankers should pay such fees,” he said, per Iran International. Iran International tweet

  • Scope: IRGC-administered tolls, paid in yuan and stablecoins, for escorted passage. Bloomberg report
  • Process: Document submission, sanctions/geopolitical screening, VHF passcode, naval escort. Bloomberg report
  • Pricing: Oil tanker fees open at $1 per barrel; at least two yuan payments completed. Bloomberg report
  • Legal track: Draft bill to enable transit fees heads for parliamentary review. Iran International tweet

Strait of Hormuz tolls and escorts