Cryptocurrency expansion effects on Iran's economy: SWOT-AHP analysis

Abstract

Since 2008, when Bitcoin was introduced as the first cryptocurrency, the world has witnessed a rapid growth of cryptocurrencies. Along with the rapid growth of cryptocurrencies, the need for study and research in this field increases. The effects of the expansion of cryptocurrencies on the economy is one of the important challenges in this field. In this paper, the expansion of cryptocurrencies in Iran's economy has been investigated using the SWOT method. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of cryptocurrencies were examined and presented in the form of a 2×2 table. Then, to quantify the results, the AHP method was used and the items specified in the SWOT method were prioritised by using experts' opinions. Finally, the appropriate strategies in this field for Iran's economy were explained.