Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, ridiculed U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's assertion that the U.S. seized approximately $1 billion in Iranian cryptocurrencies. Baqaei quoted a line from Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' to convey his disdain for what he perceives as Bessent's unjust claim, suggesting that it reflects moral inadequacy. Bessent had claimed that the U.S. 'outright grabbed the wallets' of Iranian digital asset holders during a recent economic forum. This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between Iran and the U.S., particularly regarding cryptocurrency, which Iran has increasingly used to circumvent international sanctions. According to blockchain research firm Chainalysis, Iranian cryptocurrency holdings reached an estimated $7.8 billion in 2025, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly controlling about half of this amount. In response to sanctions, Iran has also proposed a new insurance-based platform that utilizes cryptocurrency for secure cargo transit payments through the Strait of Hormuz, indicating a strategic pivot towards digital assets amid economic pressures.