I just came across some interesting information about what Iran is doing at the Strait of Hormuz. It turns out they’re not just talking—they’re taking action in a serious, hands-on way.

A few days ago, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs publicly confirmed that all oil tankers passing through this strait will have to pay tolls. More importantly, they’ve already closed the door to payments in dollars. Instead of dollars, Iran accepts only two methods: Chinese yuan, or money ดิจิทัล (Stablecoin) that is linked to the dollar.

What’s interesting is that they’ve set up a swap exchange for เงิน ดิจิทัล specifically on Kish Island to ensure that the funds can be converted into riyals or transferred to foreign accounts quickly. This isn’t the kind of symbolic move like El Salvador did to make Bitcoin legal tender. We’re talking about a system with real commercial scale.

Just think about it: the Strait of Hormuz is used to transport 21% of the world’s crude oil. Ships pass through by the dozens every day. If this system continues, it’s expected that more than $20 billion in digital currency will flow through digital wallets controlled by Iran.

But this is where things get more complicated. Iran has also set up a tiered fee schedule based on geopolitical relationships. Partner countries like China and Russia pay $0.5–$0.7 per barrel. Neutral countries pay $1 per barrel. But countries allied with the U.S., such as Japan and South Korea, pay $1.2–$1.5 per barrel. As for the U.S., Israel, and their allies? They’re not allowed access at all.

In fact, this is the first time in history that a country has used digital currency as part of a strategic payment infrastructure. But risks still exist. Since USDT and USDC remain pegged to the dollar and are monitored by OFAC, if the IRGC wants to exchange digital currency for real assets, it could face the risk of account suspension.

Actually, some oil tankers have already started trial runs of new routes through Pakistan, because Islamabad has just authorized 20 international ships to travel under the Pakistani flag—another way to bypass the existing system.

What’s happening here isn’t only about paying tolls. It’s a revolution in the payment infrastructure for global energy trade. When commercial ships pay in USDT via blockchain, that’s systematically removing the remaining remnants of the Bretton Woods era—cleanly and entirely.

As long as Iran continues to hold its geographic monopoly over this strait, financial warfare using digital currency as a weapon will keep writing new chapters for global trade.