Iran central bank bans cryptocurrency dealings

Iran's central bank has banned the country's banks from dealing in cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, over money-laundering concerns, the state news agency IRNA reported on Sunday as the country tries to halt a currency crisis. "Banks and credit institutions and currency exchanges should avoid any sale or purchase of these currencies or taking any action to promote them," IRNA said, quoting a central bank circular based on a ban on cryptocurrencies passed by Iran's anti-money laundering body in December.