A Reuters investigation found that Iran’s largest crypto exchange, Nobitex, was heavily dependent on two major blockchain networks, Tron and $BNB Chain, to move billions of dollars.
Since 2023, Nobitex has processed at least $2.3 billion across the two blockchains, according to blockchain data reviewed by Reuters. Tron was founded by crypto billionaire Justin Sun $BNB Chain originated from Binance, the exchange created by Changpeng Zhao.
Both Sun and Binance later emerged as major backers of World Liberty Financial, the Trump family’s main crypto venture. According to Reuters, there is no evidence that Trump or his family members knew Nobitex was using these systems.
Nevertheless, the situation creates a striking contradiction. As the US government confronts Iran and maintains sanctions on Iranian institutions, blockchain networks linked to Trump’s business allies have continued to facilitate crypto flows linked to the Iranian financial system.
Nobitex has become an important tool for sanctions evasion in Iran. The exchange is said to have handled transactions involving Iran’s central bank and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, both under Western sanctions.
Analysts estimate that more than $2 billion in Nobitex activity passed through Tron and another $317 million $BNB Chain. Experts believe the actual total could be much higher as the exchange regularly changes wallet addresses to avoid detection.
The companies involved defended themselves by arguing that blockchains are a decentralized public infrastructure. Tron said it could not monitor every transaction but was cooperating with law enforcement.
Binance and $BNB Chain said the blockchain operates independently of the exchange itself. World Liberty said it has no operating relationship with Nobitex or Tron.