Opportunities and Challenges of Digital Assets from a Public Law Perspective in the Legal Systems of Iran and Canada

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD., in Law and International Relations, Kish International Campus (University of Tehran), Kish, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22081/phlq.2025.72468.1139

Abstract

Using an analytical–comparative method and based on the examination of statutory texts, policy documents, and official reports, this study seeks to set out the theoretical foundations of public law in the field of digital governance, identify deficiencies in Iran’s legal system in comparison with the Canadian legal framework, and propose appropriate solutions. The findings indicate that despite the significant step taken through the 2024 Digital Assets Bylaw, the legal system of the Islamic Republic of Iran faces serious limitations in achieving effective governance of digital assets. These limitations arise from the lack of explicit upper‑level legislation, the absence of a designated regulatory authority, weak inter‑agency cooperation, and ambiguities within public law related to the creation and circulation of digital currency. In Canada, institutional coherence, clear and anticipatory legislation, accountability mechanisms, and the use of technology for continuous monitoring of digital markets have collectively contributed to establishing effective governance in several areas. Accordingly, reforming Iran’s public‑law framework in dealing with digital assets requires the enactment of comprehensive legislation grounded in public‑law theory, the establishment of a specialized regulatory authority, and enhanced cooperation among governmental, judicial, and security institutions. Moreover, the prudent adoption of comparative experiences from countries such as Canada can assist in designing a localized digital‑governance framework grounded in transparency, legitimacy, and accountability.

Keywords

References

احمدیان، ر. (۱۴۰۲). دارایی دیجیتال و نظام مالیاتی ایران. حقوق اقتصادی ایران، ۸(۲)، ص۴۵-۷۲.
حسینی، ف. (۱۴۰۳). حکمرانی عمومی دارایی‌های دیجیتال در نظام حقوقی ایران. حقوق عمومی پژوهان، ۵(۲)، ص۶۵-۹۱.
قانون اساسی جمهوری اسلامی ایران.
قلی‌پور، علی‌اکبر؛ سلیمی، لیلا (۱۳۹۹). نقش رمزارزها در تحول نظام پولی و مالی ایران. اقتصاد نوین، ۱۵(۲)، ص۶۵-۹۲.
مرکز پژوهش‌های مجلس (۱۴۰۱). بررسی آثار اقتصادی استخراج رمزارزها در ایران. گزارش‌های راهبردی، شماره ۱۹۲۷.
نادری، امیرحسین (۱۴۰۰). بررسی مفهوم مالیت در فضای مجازی با تأکید بر رمزارزها. مطالعات حقوقی، ۲۴(۳)، ص۹۵-۱۱۸.
نوروزی، ج. (۱۴۰۱). حق مالکیت دیجیتال و الزامات حقوق عمومی. پژوهش‌های حقوق عمومی، ۷(۳)، ص۳۳-۵۸.
Allen, J. (2021). Innovation Sandboxes and Crypto Regulation in Canada. FinTech Law Canada.
Arner, D., Zetzsche, D.A. & Buckley, R.P. (2021). The Identity Challenge in Finance: From Analogue Identity to Digitized Identification. European Business Organization Law Review.
Bennett, H. & Watters, J. (2022). Crypto Taxation and Legal Certainty in Canada. Canadian Tax Journal, 70(2), p. 315-340.
Boakye, D. (2022). Digital Assets in Canadian Banking Law. Banking and Finance Law Review.
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). (2023). Taxation of Cryptocurrency in Canada.
Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA). (2021). Staff Notice 21-329: Guidance for Crypto Asset Trading Platforms.
Canadian Securities Administrators. (2023). Crypto Asset Trading Platforms: Updated Regulatory Guidance.
Clements, J. (2022). Cryptocurrency – Challenges to Conventional Governance of Financial Transactions. Charles Sturt University.
Corbett, J. & Sornumpol, D.C. (2024). Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Regulation 2025.
Dalhousie University. (2024). Regulation of DeFi in Canada: Challenges and Policy. DalSpace.
FATF. (2021). Guidance for a risk-based approach to virtual assets and virtual asset service providers. Financial Action Task Force.
FCAC. (2024). Consumer protections for users of crypto platforms. Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.
FINTRAC. (2024). Assessment of Inherent Risks of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in Canada.
Hughes, A. (2023). Consumer Protection in Crypto Markets under Canadian Law. Journal of Information and Privacy, 6(2), p. 55-78.
Leuprecht, C., Jenkins, C. & Hamilton, R. (2023). Virtual money laundering: policy implications in Canada. Journal of Money Laundering Control, 26(1), p. 83-97.
Narayanan, A., Bonneau, J., Felten, E., Miller, A. & Goldfeder, S. (2016). Bitcoin and cryptocurrency technologies: A comprehensive introduction. Princeton University Press.
OECD. (2022). Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework.
Smith, J. (2020). The legal nature of digital assets. Law and Technology Journal, 15(1).
Stokes, E. (2023). Legal Education and Crypto Regulation in Canada. Canadian Journal of Legal Education, 45(1), p. 18-39.
Zuboff, S. (2019). The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. PublicAffairs.
Journal of Philosophy of Law
Volume 4, Issue 2
October 2025
Pages 26-7

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 30 July 2025
  • Revise Date: 04 August 2025
  • Accept Date: 11 August 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics